Research, Citation, & Class Guides: English 102: College Writing (Prof. Prodoehl): Evaluate Sources

Evaluate Step-by-Step

Ten questions towards a more informed you:

What is the title?
Does the headline sound unrealistic?
Is the source reputable?
Is the author reputable?
When was the story published?
Where did the facts and data come from?
Where did the images come from?
Is the story biased?
Have you cross-checked the story?
- Have you done your fact checking?
- Have you done your image checking?
- Have you examined another viewpoint?
Would you use or share this document? Why or why not?

Fact & Bias Checking

To check on the truthfulness of claims on the internet, try searching here:

FactCheck.org
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
Snopes
Founded by David Mikkelson, this site checks the accuracy of facts in news stories and urban legends. Snopes attempts to use non-partisan information and data sources as much as possible, and to alert readers that some sources should be regarded with skepticism
AllSides
See news and issues from multiple perspectives. Provides bias ratings for select media outlets.
All Sides Media Bias Chart
Chart shows examples of online media outlets in each of five categories. Search "All Sides" to get bias ranking for a specific website.
Media Bias/Fact Check
Independent online media outlet that educates the public on media bias and deceptive news practices. Search for news sources to see where they show up on a bias scale.
Truth or Fiction
Seeking Truth and Exposing Fiction Since 1999
PolitiFact
Fact-checking website that uses "Truth-O-Meter" to rate the accuracy of statements made by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. The website debunks specific claims. Owned by the Poynter Institute journalism school, the site has won a Pulitzer Prize.
Fact Checker
Run by Glenn Kessler at The Washington Post, the purpose of this website is to “truth squad” the statements of political figures regarding issues of great importance.
PunditFact
Fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by pundits who speak up in American politics. The check select speeches, news stories, press releases, campaign brochures, TV ads, Facebook postings, and transcripts of TV and radio interviews. Run by the same people as PolitiFact.
Media Bias Chart - Static Version
This chart from Ad Fontes shows perceived bias (liberal/conservative) and range of reporting (from original fact reporting to contains inaccurate/fabricated information) of many major news outlets in English. There is some uncertainty about how Vanessa Otero of Ad Fontes Media, Inc. determined placements.

Evaluate Me: Climate Change & Clean Energy Webpages

A. Wind Energy
Webpage about climate change and wind power
B. Climate Change and Wind Power: The Winds of Change
Webpage about climate change and wind power
C. Harvard Study Finds Wind Turbines Will Cause More Warming In Minnesota Than Emissions Reductions Would Avert
Webpage about climate change and wind power
D. A Solar Boom So Successful, It's Been Halted
Webpage about climate change and solar power
E. WEF Elites Unveil Plan To Use Carbon Controls As A Trojan Horse For Global DEI
Webpage about climate change and carbon credits
F. Trump Admin to Rescind Obama-era Endangerment Finding, Upending EPA tyranny and Unleashing Energy Independence
Webpage about energy supply and greenhouse gases
G. All the Advantages of Geothermal Energy
Webpage about geothermal energy
H. What are the Pros and Cons of Geothermal Energy?
Webpage about geothermal energy
I. StarTalk Live – Climate Science, with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Podcast about climate change

English 102: College Writing (Prof. Prodoehl)

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Fact & Bias Checking

Evaluate Me: Climate Change & Clean Energy Webpages