Is it credible?
Lecture objectives
Is it credible?
Social Media Unit
Ms. Lindner’s 8th grade English class
šYou see a news headline
online that says, “Climate
change means Laguna
Beach will no longer exist
in 15 years.” How do you
know if it’s true?
š You’re 18 and about to
vote for president for the
first time. Your best friend
says Ariana Grande is the
best candidate. Can you
trust this information?
Alli Lindner
CCSS
š ELA.8.RI.6. Determine an author’s point of
š Students will be able to define the terms view or purpose in a text and analyze how
”informational text” and “credibility” and the author acknowledges and responds to
give examples of both terms. conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
š Students will be able to explain why
credibility is valuable as a reader and as a
š ELA.8.W.8. Gather relevant information
from multiple print and digital sources,
using search terms effectively; assess the
writer.
credibility and accuracy of each source;
š Students will be able to analyze the and quote or paraphrase the data and
credibility of a given information text and conclusions of others while avoiding
explain why the text is or is not credible. plagiarism and following a standard
format for citation.
What is an informational text?
šMain purpose: express information (not to tell a
fictional story)
šExamples: news articles, digital websites, nonfiction
books, textbooks
šIf you needed to write a research paper about
climate change, where would you look for
information?
1
Is it credible?

4 types of information texts 4 types of informational texts (part 1)

šLiterary nonfiction: Essays, speeches,

Literary nonfiction journalism, etc. Written for a broad
audience (not experts).
Expository šInformation is accurate
šClear organization
Argument/persuasive šExpository: Readers can skip around to
parts of the text they want/need to
read. No need to read the entire book
Procedural in order.

4 types of
informational texts
(part 2)
YOU DECIDE:
šArgument/persuasion: Give
evidence to influence Which of the types
audience’s beliefs/actions.
Make a claim. of informational
šAppeal to audience’s
logic, emotions, and/or texts would you
ethics
šProcedural: Step-by-step
most like to read?
guides for how to complete
a task. Often include
illustrations.

Alli Lindner 2
Is it credible?

YOU DECIDE:
What does Where can we get credible information?
“credible” mean?
If you wanted to learn more about climate change, who/what
šCan be relied upon for would be the most credible (accurate, trustworthy, believable,
accurate information reliable) source for information? Justify your answer.
šCan be trusted and šAn 8th grade science student
believed. šA 10th grade science student
šBacked up by factual, šA stranger on social media
reliable evidence. šYour science textbook
šThe person reporting this week’s weather on TV

Why does it matter if our sources of

information are credible?
YOU DECIDE:
Why does it matter šAs a READER, we want to have accurate information
when we are learning about a topic and forming our
whether or not opinions
sources are šExample: We want credible sources on climate change
so we can get accurate information on this topic.
credible? šExample: We want credible sources of information on
candidates we might vote for because elected officials
decisions will impact our lives.

Alli Lindner 3
Is it credible?

Why does it matter if our sources of

information are credible? Assessing a text’s credibility

šAs a WRITER or SPEAKER, we want to include accurate

information so our readers know they can trust us and
believe us
VIDEO: Evaluating Sources for Credibility
šWhen making an argument/claim, we use credible
sources so our audience knows that we are also credible
and trustworthy—they are more likely to agree with our
argument if they can trust us!

How can we tell if a source is credible? How can we tell if a source is credible?

šPUBLISHER
šAUTHOR
šWhere was the text published?
šWho are they? What is their background? Are they an
expert on this topic? šBy a well-known book publisher?
šDo they refer to other credible sources? (We should šBy an academic journal that published peer-
have a chain of credible sources) reviewed research articles?
šAre the author’s prejudices, opinions, politics, goals, šBy a neutral newspaper?
etc. affecting what they are saying? šOn the author’s personal website?
šOn Twitter?

Alli Lindner 4
Is it credible?

How can we tell if a

source is credible? How can we tell if a source is credible?

šBIAS

šPUBLISHER šIs the information based on facts or emotions?

šIs the text trying to give you information or to persuade
šWhere was the text
you?
published?
šAre there advertisements? Is someone making money
šIs the text sponsored? off of you reading this text (or doing what the text
wants you to do)?
šWhy was this text written?

How can we tell if a Culminating activity/question

source is credible?

šCURRENCY šWith your table group, choose š“When Social Media

one of these informational texts.
šIs the source updated Spend 5 minutes skimming the is Really Problematic
and current? When was text. Then discuss whether this is for Adolescents”
this text written? a credible source. šWikipedia: Social
šOlder texts might be šCredible author? Media
outdated and no
šCredible publisher? š“5 Tips for Monitoring
longer accurate
šBiased? Your Kid’s Social
šCurrent? Media Activity”

Alli Lindner 5
Is it credible?

Sources for additional information

Write:
THREE things you learned
today
TWO things you want to
šInformational texts in the CCSS
Exit ticket
know more about šEvaluation sources
ONE thing you feel
confused about from this šEasy Bib: evaluating sources
lesson

Alli Lindner 6