English 10 Week of April 13 - Subjectivity and Objectivity

Introduction to Bias: Subjectivity and Objectivity with Penguins
Read this whole page before you begin.
Lesson Goals:
● Students will compare and contrast two documentary treatments of the same subject.
● Students will distinguish between objective and subjective points of view in nonprint
text.
● Students will evaluate how a director uses rhetoric and details to advance a subjective
point of view.
Vocabulary:
In this lesson, you will learn to identify bias in a text based upon its objectivity or subjectivity.
The three vocabulary words are commonly used terms to describe the point of view or
perspective adopted when presenting information.
● BIAS: “Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with
another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.”
● OBJECTIVITY: “An objective point of view tries to be impartial, balanced, and factual in
its presentation.”
● SUBJECTIVITY: “A subjective point of view is informed by opinion, bias, and feelings.”
Viewing:
For Tasks #2 through #6, you will need to view the following clips, attached to Google
Classroom:
● Life in the Freezer
● The March of the Penguins

Task #1: Practice with Objectivity and Subjectivity
Look at the statements and decide if each one is objective or subjective. Explain why you
answered the way you did. The first one is done for you as an example.
1. The COVID outbreak of 2020 is the worst illness to ever hit the USA!
Is the statement objective or subjective? Subjective .
Reasoning: This statement is clearly subjective because the term “worst” is an opinion
based word. For example, one person’s worst subject in school can be someone else’s
best. “Worst” is not the same for everyone.
2. University of Puget Sound, home of the Loggers, first began classes in 1888 and is still
open today.
Is the statement objective or subjective? _____________.
Reasoning:
3. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time because of his
championships and MVP trophies.
Reasoning:
4. Testing shows that YHS students are very intelligent.
Reasoning:
Task #1: Practice with Objectivity and Subjectivity - Check Yourself
Did you get these answers? If not, consider your reasoning. Go back and correct any responses
that were incorrect, including an update to your responses for “Reasoning.”
1. Subjective
2. Objective
3. Subjective
4. Subjective
Task #2: Nonfiction Film Viewing Guides; Applying Your Knowledge
Instructions: While you watch each clip, please complete the following two charts (one for Life
in the Freezer and one for March of the Penguins).
Director: Nonfiction Film Viewing Guide Title: Year:

Alastair Fothergill Life in the Freezer 1993
What Do You See (primary or archival footage, interviews, still images, the filmmaker)?
What Do You Hear (dialogue, narration, diegetic, and non-diegetic sound)?
What Do You Read (subtitles, graphics, labels, etc.)?
How Is It Put Together (editing sequence, transition devices, etc.)?
What Is the Effect (what is the theme/message of the video, what “truth” does it convey)?
Director: Nonfiction Film Viewing Guide Title: Year:
Luc Jaquet The March of the Penguins 2005
What Do You See (primary or archival footage, interviews, still images, the filmmaker)?
What Do You Hear (dialogue, narration, diegetic, and non-diegetic sound)?
What Do You Read (subtitles, graphics, labels, etc.)?
How Is It Put Together (editing sequence, transition devices, etc.)?
What Is the Effect (what is the theme/message of the video, what “truth” does it convey)?
Task #3: Compare and Contrast the Film Clips

Instructions: Both of these clips come from films classified as documentary films. After
watching both, complete the following chart (similar to a Venn Diagram). List what is unique
about each film and then what they have in common. Focus in particular on how the two films
talk about the same subject in different ways. Is one more subjective than the other?
Life in the Freezer BOTH March of the Penguins
Task #4: Comprehension Question

Answer the following question:
Based on the definitions of subjectivity and objectivity and the clips you just watched, how
might documentary films blur the distinction between objectivity and subjectivity that we
associate with the label nonfiction? How do they sometimes “teach” something more than just
the facts?
Task #5: Paragraph Response
Write a paragraph:
Write an extended paragraph (5-7 sentences) critique of the film clip from March of the
Penguins. Your task is to analyze the level of subjectivity in the film. Support your analysis with
relevant descriptive details from the clip. Be sure to:
1. Begin with a topic sentence that clearly states your opinion on the level of subjectivity.
2. Quote or vividly describe images and sounds from the clip as evidence.
3. Incorporate appropriate terminology to discuss subjective points of view and film
technique (if you remember this from 9th grade).
HONORS EXTENSION Task #6
NOTE: Only do this if you are an HONORS STUDENT!
Instructions: Write a second extended paragraph (5-7 sentences) explaining how

documentaries can be both nonfiction and subjective. Support your response with evidence
from the film clips.

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Introduction to Bias: Subjectivity and Objectivity with Penguins

Read this whole page before you begin.

● Life in the Freezer

● The March of the Penguins

Is the statement objective or subjective? Subjective .

Is the statement objective or subjective? _____________.

Is the statement objective or subjective? _____________.

4. Testing shows that YHS students are very intelligent.

Is the statement objective or subjective? _____________.

Director: Nonfiction Film Viewing Guide Title: Year:

What Do You Hear (dialogue, narration, diegetic, and non-diegetic sound)?

What Do You Read (subtitles, graphics, labels, etc.)?

How Is It Put Together (editing sequence, transition devices, etc.)?

What Do You Hear (dialogue, narration, diegetic, and non-diegetic sound)?

What Do You Read (subtitles, graphics, labels, etc.)?

How Is It Put Together (editing sequence, transition devices, etc.)?

Task #3: Compare and Contrast the Film Clips

Life in the Freezer BOTH March of the Penguins

Task #4: Comprehension Question

Instructions: Write a second extended paragraph (5-7 sentences) explaining how

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