The document outlines strategies for evaluating the credibility of information found on the internet, highlighting the importance of cross-referencing sources and identifying the author's intent. It narrates an example of a student named Zack who mistakenly believed misinformation found online, emphasizing the need for diligent research practices. Key steps include verifying multiple sources, checking author credentials, and understanding the purpose of web content.

2.  E1-2.2 Compare/contrast information
within and across texts to draw
conclusions and make inferences.
 E1-2.3 Analyze informational texts for
author bias (including word choice, the
exclusion and inclusion of particular
information, and unsupported opinions).
 E1-2.7 Analyze propaganda techniques
in informational texts.

3.  There was a student named Zack
 Zack didn’t know much about finding
our information on the Internet and
made a HUGE mistake!

4.  http://pubweb.northwestern.edu/~abutz
/di/intro.html

5.  Fourteen year old: “I’m working on a
history paper about how the Holocaust
never happened.”
 Long pause. “Zack, where did you hear
that the Holocaust didn’t happen?”
 “The Internet. It’s on a Web page at
Northwestern University.”

6.  There are steps to take to ensure what
you find is legitimate (genuine, legal,
valid)

7. 1. Always check more than one source
2. Make sure that if a source is the only
one making the claim, you do not use it!
3. Validate the information by cross
checking with other reputable sites
4. Check on who the author of the site
is…GOOGLE it!
5. Discover the purpose of the site: what is
the author trying to say?

8.  Purposes defined:
› To sell products
› To inform
› To persuade or advocate
› To entertain

9.  Let’s check on Arthur Butz to see where
his name shows up….

10.  Items to beware of:
› ~
› /users/Abutz
› http://pubweb.northwestern.edu/~abutz/di/i
ntro.html

11.  Follow the steps outlined in this
presentation
 Do not blindly “trust” what you read or
see
 Take the time to cross reference
information & authors
 Identify the purpose of the web
page/site.

12.  http://urbanlegends.com/
 www.snopes.com
 http://www.cracked.com

13.  ABC news aired a show on “slurls”, a
hybrid name for slur + url. These are
accidents waiting to happen.
 Did you ever perform a search only to
find things like this?...

14.  www.childrenslaughter.com -- The
website for The Children's Laughter
Foundation in Dallas, Texas.
 www.amigonefuneralhome.com -- The
website for the family-owned Amigone
Funeral Home Inc., a Western New York
funeral services provider.

15.  Now it is your turn…Find a reputable web
site that provides unbiased information
on the following topics: (select one)
› The effects of Lung cancer on the body
› Hip-hop music
› Renaissance artists
› Bulimia
› Caring for cats
› Birdwatching
› Making a wooden picnic table

16.  Trust no one!
 Double check your sources
 Do a background search on the author
 Define the purpose of the site
 Check with a teacher if you are not sure