Source
What is a "credible source?" Give one example
A source with expertise and a trustworthy reputation.
ex: BBC News, New York Times, or a university site.
The reason why the message was created (to sell, inform, persuade, etc.)
What counts as strong evidence in media?
Verified facts, statistics, expert quotes, or credible sources.
What does is mean for a message to be "logical"?
It makes sense, follows a clear line of reasoning, avoid fallacies.
Why is asking "What's left out?" important?
It helps us see the full picture and avoid being misled.
A random blog with no citations or unknown social media account.
What might be the motivation behind a celebrity endorsement?
To sell a product or promote a brand (often paid).
What does "cherry-picking evidence" mean?
Only using info that supports your view while ignoring other facts.
What is a logical fallacy?
A flaw in reasoning that weakens an argument.
A story only shows one side of a political debate. What's missing?
The other side's argument or key context.
Why mights a celebrity influencer not always be a reliable source?
They may be paid or lack expertise.
Look for emotional appeals, biased language, or one-sided information.
This post says, "Studies prove it," but does not link a source. What is the issue?
No citation-we can't verify the claim.
"If we allow kids to wear hoodies, soon they'll all be criminals!" What fallacy is this?
A health product ad doesn't mention side effects. What's being left out, and why?
Potential risks-leaving it out helps sell more.
Why does it matter who funds or owns a new outlet?
Ownership can influence what stories are told or how they're told.
A nonprofit posts a powerful video about climate change. What might their motivation be?
To raise awareness of inspire action/donations.
Is a personal story strong evidence? Why or why not?
It may be powerful but is not always reliable or generalizable.
Name a logical flaw in using fear to sell a product.
Fear may override facts, leading people to make decisions without evidence.
Can a message be technically true but still misleading? Explain.
Yes-leaving key context or details can distort the meaning.
True or False: A viral post with millions of shares is a trustworthy source. Explain.
False: popularity doesn't equal credibility. It may still be false or misleading.
Explain why understanding motivation is key to media literacy.
It helps you recognize bias, filter influence, and make informed decisions.
Find a headline online and identify what evidence (if any) it gives.
(Open-ended for in-class discussion or homework.)
What is "Is the reasoning sound?"
When a story jumps to conclusions or has logical fallacies, it fails this test.
What is "A distorted or misleading view?"
When a story leaves out key context, this is the result for the reader.