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ENGL 101 - English Composition I - Purtell

SIFT Information Evaluation Habits

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Stop

  • Do you know the website?
  • What is its reputation?
  • What is your purpose?
  • How do you feel?
  • Consider cognitive biases.

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Investigate the Source

  • What exactly is the source?
  • What can you find out about the website?
  • What about the author?
  • Is it worth your time?

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Find Other Coverage

  • Is other coverage similar?
  • Can you find a better source?
  • One more trusted?
  • More in-depth?
  • What do expert sources agree on with coverage?

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Trace to the Original Source

  • Can you find the original source?
  • What is the original context?
  • Has it been accurately presented?

Google Advanced

limit your Google search to .gov or .edu sites by adding site:.edu or site:.gov after your search terms:

Rhetorical Triangle

Drawing of three two-sided arrows in the shape of a pyramid. Where points meet on top, "Purpose"; bottom left, "Author"; bottom right, "Audience." "Message" is in the middle.

Lumen. (n.d.) Rhetorical Context. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/styleguide/chapter/rhetorical-context/