How to Identify Credible Sources and Information Bundle

Teach students how to identify credible or reliable sources of information, recognize logical fallacies, and understand and fact-check conspiracy theories. These skills help students conduct online or Internet research, write better arguments, and become savvy consumers of information in an era of fake news, misinformation, and conspiracy theories.

Included in this bundle:

• 3 Colorful Slide PDF Presentations (55 slides total)

• 7 Learning Activities (involving reading, analysis, and discussion)

• 3 Writing Activities

• 6 Graphic Organizers/Anchor Charts

How to Identify Reliable Sources of Information

This product includes a colorful PDF presentation (14 slides) and learning activities to familiarize students with the TRUST acronym and identify reliable sources.

Students use the following TRUST acronym to help evaluate information.

T – (trackable) Is the author trackable or identifiable?

R – (reason) Why was the information provided?

U – (URL) If online, does the source end with a trusted URL?

S – (Speaker) Is the speaker an expert or eyewitness on the topic?

T – (Time) Is the information current?

Logical Fallacies

This product includes a colorful PDF presentation (16 slides) and learning activities to familiarize students with 12 logical fallacies: Ad Hominem, Straw Man, Either Or, Bandwagon, Hasty Generalization, False Cause, False Authority, Red Herring, Slippery Slope, You too, Circular Argument, and Moral Equivalence.

Understanding Conspiracy Theories

This product includes a colorful PDF presentation (25 slides) and learning activities to introduce students to the characteristics of a conspiracy theory and aspects to consider, including types of fallacies and biases when fact-checking the credibility of a conspiracy theory.