Bias Essay: This essay is adressing the question of whether one can tell a story with or without a bias.

Essay by bikerguyHigh School, 11th gradeA+, December 2003

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Can a story be told without a bias? Yes. Just as people can argue one point until they convince everyone they are talking to, people can also tell a story without a biased opinion. Although people can have opinions concerning a given subject, it is possible for that same person to tell a story without their bias shining through. For example, the book Snow Mountain Passage, by James D. Houston and the present situation in the Middle East both involve situations in which it is important to tell stories how they are and to not input a biased opinion. All it takes to tell a story without a bias is an open mind that pays close attention to detail and how each party is represented.

In the book Snow Mountain Passage, the author, James D. Houston, does a good job of portraying each character's point of view and showing each side of the story.

It sounds simple but it makes a difference. Houston portrays each side equally by showing that there is a reason for every action taken. During the story there is a fight scene between Jim Reed and John Snyder, in which John is killed. Many of the other families traveling with them saw it as a murder because of their biased opinion and their incomplete knowledge. The people who actually blamed Jim for killing John were ironically not present during the entire fight. From a viewpoint far up on a mountain, one of the witnesses states his view: "With haggard eyes Graves looks around the circle and mimes the death blow. 'That's what he did. Jim Reed pulled out his Bowie knife and ran Johnny through.'" (Snow Mountain Passage, pg. 29) Those present, however, including John, who stated his side of the story...