What is the first step in the SIFT method, and why is it important?

The first step is 'Stop,' which involves pausing to consider your initial reaction to the information. It's important because it helps you identify potential biases or red flags early on.

Explain the 'Investigate' step of the SIFT method. What is 'lateral reading,' and how does it contribute to evaluating a source?

'Investigate' involves researching the source's reputation by seeing what others say about it, often through a quick Google search. 'Lateral reading' is the process of evaluating a source by consulting other sources about the original source. This helps provide a more comprehensive understanding of the source's agenda and reliability.

Describe the 'Find Better Coverage' step of the SIFT method. Why is it important to look for coverage from multiple reputable media outlets?

'Find Better Coverage' involves seeking out alternative sources, such as newspapers of record (e.g., The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal), that may have covered the same information. It's important to look for coverage from multiple reputable media outlets to confirm the information's accuracy and validity.

What does the 'Trace claims back to the original context' step involve, and why is this important in evaluating sources?

Tracing claims back to the original context involves finding the initial source of the information to understand its original meaning and intent. This is important because information can be distorted or misinterpreted as it is re-reported and shared online.

Evaluating Information

Grade 11th Grade · ELA · 30 min· Assess The Relevance, Reliability, And Validity Of Information From Printed And/or Digital Texts.

What's Included

Learning Objective

I can figure out if information from books or websites is good and trustworthy.

Warm-Up Video

Vanderbilt Libraries Teaching & Learning · 2:57

Using SIFT to Evaluate Sources for Credibility Tutorial

Guided Notes

3 key concepts

1
The SIFT method includes these steps: Stop, Investigate, Find better coverage, and Trace claims.
2
When you stop, ask yourself what your gut says about the information you are evaluating.
3
When you investigate a source, do a quick Google search to see what others say about the source and its agenda.

Practice Questions

4 questions · Short answer

Exit Ticket

Quick comprehension check

“Describe a situation where you would use the 'Investigate' step of the SIFT method when evaluating a source for a research paper.”

Complete Lesson Package

Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:

Teacher GuideComplete lesson plan

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