Textbook Directions:Write a paragraph in which you describe the steps that experienced readers can use to analyze conflicting information in texts about the same topic. Explain why it is important for readers to recognize and evaluate conflicting information. Provide specific examples from the two texts.
Cone Reworded Directions: As to not be fooled into believing everything you read, what should you look for in the article before you view it as reliable/credible/believable? Look at the text features, such as titles and subtitles. Look at the publication itself. Who published it? Is there an organization or group behind the publication? Who is the author? Are they reliable? What does that group represent? Is the author getting paid to write this? Are their multiple viewpoints published? Ask questions as you read. Is this a logical argument? Is there anything the author is leaving out?
Your paragraph should outline the steps you would take to decide if the author’s words are believable. You can number the steps within your paragraph. Explain why it is important to recognize and evaluate both sides to an argument. Provide at least two examples from both texts.
Experienced readers can employ a series of steps to analyze conflicting information in texts about the same topic. Firstly, they should scrutinize the text features, such as titles and subtitles, to gauge the overall tone and potential bias. Secondly, consideration must be given to the publication itself and the credibility of the organization or group behind it. This includes determining the author's reliability and assessing their affiliations. Thirdly, readers should identify if the author has financial motivation or potential conflicts of interest that could impact their objectivity. Moreover, it is crucial to examine whether multiple viewpoints are presented, as this indicates a more comprehensive analysis of the topic. Additionally, readers should question the logical coherence of the argument and look for any omissions or selective presentation of evidence. Recognizing and evaluating conflicting information is important because it allows readers to form a more informed and objective understanding of a topic.
For example, in Text A, the title "The Dangers of Climate Change" suggests a potentially alarmist perspective, while in Text B, the title "The Benefits of Climate Change" implies bias towards the positive aspects. In Text A, the author, a renowned climate scientist from a prestigious research institution, presents evidence highlighting the negative consequences of climate change, while in Text B, the author, an executive from an oil company, focuses on economic opportunities that can arise from climate change. By evaluating these conflicting viewpoints, readers can have a more nuanced understanding of the issue.