Welcome to Source Skills!
In your Global Citizenship exam, you won't just be asked to remember facts. A big part of the paper (especially Sections B, C, and D) involves looking at sources—like news articles, speeches, or data—and figuring out what is really going on. This chapter focuses on recognising attitudes, opinions, and bias.
Think of yourself as a "truth detective." Your job is to look past the flashy headlines and figure out who is speaking, why they are saying it, and if they are giving you the full story. This is part of Assessment Objective 3 (AO3), which is all about analysing evidence and different viewpoints.
1. Facts vs. Opinions
Before we can spot bias, we have to know the difference between a solid fact and a personal opinion. Don't worry if this seems simple; in the heat of an exam, they can sometimes look very similar!
What is a Fact?
A fact is something that can be proven to be true or false using evidence. Example: "The United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015." We can check the date and the event; it is an objective truth.
What is an Opinion?
An opinion is a belief, feeling, or thought. It tells us what someone thinks about a fact. Example: "The Sustainable Development Goals are the most important project in human history." While many people might agree, you cannot "prove" it is the most important. It is a value judgement.
Quick Tip: Look for "adjectives" (describing words). If a source uses words like wonderful, terrible, successful, or failing, it is likely expressing an opinion.
2. Understanding Attitudes and Perspectives
In Global Citizenship, we study many different "points of view." The syllabus tells us that the very definition of a Global Citizen is contested. This means different people and cultures disagree on what it means!
Different Traditions
An individual’s attitude is often shaped by their background. This includes:
• Cultural traditions: How your community or religion views the world.
• Political traditions: Whether someone lives in a democratic country or a non-democratic/autocratic country.
• Identity: Factors like age, gender, ethnicity, and education.
Did you know? According to the Oxfam definition used in your syllabus, a global citizen is someone who is "outraged by social injustice" and "participates from local to global." However, someone from a different political tradition might have a different attitude, perhaps focusing more on duties to their own nation-state first.
Key Takeaway: When reading a source, ask yourself: "What is this person's background, and how might it shape their attitude?"
3. Spotting Bias
Bias is when a person or organisation presents information in a one-sided way to influence your thinking. It’s like a referee in a football match who clearly wants one team to win!
How to spot bias in an exam source:
1. Loaded Language: Does the writer use "emotive" words designed to make you feel angry, sad, or excited? (e.g., calling a change a "disaster" instead of an "adjustment").
2. One-sided Arguments: Does the source ignore the other side of the debate? A balanced argument usually says "on the other hand..."
3. Selection of Facts: Someone might tell the truth but leave out the "bad" parts. For example, a government might praise the rise of communications technology but ignore issues like censorship or identity theft.
4. The "Who": Check the source. Is it a charity like Amnesty International campaigning for rights, or is it a business trying to sell a product?
Real-World Example: Technology
The syllabus highlights censorship and bias in technology. Some governments use technology to limit what citizens see (censorship), which creates a biased view of the world. When you use social media, "algorithms" might only show you opinions you already agree with, creating a "bubble" of bias.
4. Why are some viewpoints more "compelling"?
In your exam, you might be asked why one piece of evidence is more compelling (persuasive) than another. To answer this, look for substantiated judgements. This is a fancy way of saying "opinions backed up by facts."
A viewpoint is MORE compelling if:
• It uses data (like HDI values, GDP figures, or SDG progress reports).
• It acknowledges different perspectives before reaching a conclusion.
• It comes from a source with expertise (like the WHO for health or UNHCR for refugees).
A viewpoint is LESS compelling if:
• It is purely emotional.
• It contains clear bias or ignores obvious facts.
• It uses generalisations (e.g., "Everyone thinks that...").
Quick Review: The "Bias Check" List
When you look at a source in Section B or C, quickly run through these three questions:
1. What is the main point? (The opinion)
2. What evidence is used? (The facts)
3. Is it balanced? (Recognising other attitudes)
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume that because a source is "biased," it is "useless." In Global Citizenship, identifying why a source is biased helps you understand that person’s perspective, which is exactly what the examiners want to see!
Note: For more on how to use these skills to write long-form answers, see the chapter on "Comparison and balanced conclusions."