Learn to Evaluate Information!
E - Evidence: Do the facts hold up? Look for the facts to back up the story! They may involve the names and roles of key individuals, dates and times, places, a specific event, an issue, a quote, a photograph, or any other type of evidence that backs up the story. Verify these facts by finding several other independent sources that reported the same set of facts.
S - Source: Who created this? Can I trust them? Look for 1) the publisher - the newspaper, magazine, website or organization that published the story; 2) the author - the name and credentials of the person who wrote it the story. Are they qualified to write about the topic? 3) an information source - a person, document, or any source for the facts used in the story.
C - Context: What's the big picture? Identify the main issue or event of the story.
A - Audience: Who is the intended audience? What does the name of the publication or website tell you about the audience they are targeting? What does the content of the article tell you about the intended audience? Is it written in everyday language or complex words? What does the other content tell you about who the audience might be? Are their photos, illustrations, glossy pages? Do you think the intended audience helped shape the story?
P- Purpose: The purpose of a story meant to inform or educate contains specific sources, detailed facts, and complete information about the issue or event. The purpose of a story with a lot of ads or appeals for money or support is to earn money for the author or publisher. A story that uses emotional language - sentimental or extreme praise or criticism - appeals to certain groups or people may who align with a particular point of view and the story is intended to reinforce that perspective.
E- Execution: How is the information presented? Is it clear? Does the tone sound objective or opinionated? Are the sentences well-written with correct spelling and grammar. Is the organized and easy to read or cluttered and chaotic?