Question

Read the excerpt titled "What’s the Limit?”

Caffeine-based energy drinks must be taken off the market or restricted to age-appropriate users. The use of these drinks has increased over time as workloads have increased. Companies are clearly marketing these products to teenagers, and it must be stopped. Caffeine drinks can have many adverse effects, particularly for young people. The companies claim there is nothing wrong with the drinks. They tell you to consider the coffee and tea that millions of people drink each day. They tell you to think about soda and soft drinks. But these drinks aren’t like your morning cup of coffee. Some have much higher concentrations of caffeine. Think about your own children! Do you like these big businesses trying to tell your teen what to drink? Children under the age of 18 simply have no business consuming the high levels of caffeine in these drinks. I have personally been victimized by these companies; I thought the drinks would help me study, but instead, they impaired my focus. Therefore, I am sure you can agree that lawmakers everywhere have a responsibility to help save children from caffeine-loaded drinks! Call your local representatives using the script I’ve included on my website.

Which element of bias is present in the excerpt?

an omission of alternative viewpoints
the use of broad generalizations
the writer stands to benefit
an overreliance on emotional appeals

Answer 1

an overreliance on emotional appeals

The passage uses emotional language and personal anecdote ("Think about your own children!", "I have personally been victimized") and urges action rather than offering balanced evidence.