Information Literacy

Step 1:

1. How does the author know this information? What makes their opinion more worthy or accurate than someone else’s?

2. What are they trying to sell? What is their agenda? What do they gain from you reading or believing their information?

3. How do you feel after reading this article? Did the article make you feeling strongly about something?

4. Was the author using emotional ploys to sway you?

For the questions you CANNOT answer, why do you think that is? Is the author hiding something?

Step 2:

Investigate the website.

1. Is there an About page?

2. Does the article list a date?

3. Does the page list a location? Is the location real?

4. Can you find other companies, publications, or groups that support, fund, or otherwise connected to this site?

5. Google these. Are they legitimate sites or companies?

6. Search their name or title with the words "fake news". What comes up?