To Correct a Lie, Sandwich it Between the Truth
Image Source: Adapted from The MamaDragons, Instagram
Why is a Truth Sandwich Effective?
Back in 2018, linguist George Lakoff tweeted:
Truth Sandwich (Truth-Lie-Truth):
The Truth Sandwich formula of truth-lie-truth is key to combatting lies and fake news. Here's how:
- The main news story about a lie should rapidly confront and dispel the lie with facts. Start with the truth. The first frame gets the advantage.
- Indicate the lie. This should be done enthusiastically and repeatedly and prominently, as long as the lie remains part of the discourse, but avoid amplifying the specific language used in the lie, if at all possible.
- Example Lie: The losing candidate claimed there were hundreds of thousands of cases of voter fraud in Wisconsin. He’s trying to distract and you. It’s absolutely not true.
- Probe more deeply, to explore motive. What purpose does it serve? Whose purpose does it serve? Who is funding it? Return to the truth.Always repeat truths more than lies.
- Example Truth: Out of 3.3 million votes cast it was found only four people may have voted twice in the and 11 people whose absentee ballots may have been counted, even though they had died before Election Day.
Why is serving a truth sandwich effective in combatting fake news?
- Humans remember the messages that are repeated most often.
- A truth sandwich ensures the facts are the first thing people read or hear.
- The truth s the first and last impression they take away.
Democratic societies rely on news and media to report the facts and the truth and to root out lies. People going about their daily lives aren't equipped to fact-check everything. We depend on editors and reporters to fact-check, point out lies, and emphasize the negative consequences of fact vs. fake.
When you read or listen to the news see if you can detect whether you are getting the truth first or the lie first. Not sure? Learn how to spot fake news and fact-check sources at the link below.
