1. What does it mean to be reliable? What does it mean to be credible?
In your Writing Section, create a title called IS THIS CREDIBLE? and write the following questions. Then, answer the question.
What does it mean to be reliable?
What does it mean to be credible?
How can a source be reliable and credible?

2. Now it is time to collect information. First, ask yourself:

3. Add to your Writing Section.
Does this information seem unbelievable?
Does it make sense to you or others?
Does what you read conflict with something you already know to be true?
Does the writing seem like a hyperbole where something is clearly exaggerated?
Is there a way to check this information out so you know whether it is true or not?

5. Which link would you first click?
Remember the author is looking for evidence to support that smoking is unhealthy. 1 2 3 4 5 6

6. Many people are tempted to just start clicking away on links
Many people are tempted to just start clicking away on links. However, it’s best to be strategic
and carefully select which link to click first. Ask yourself the following questions:
Is it on topic?
There are 6 links here, and all of them are on the topic of smoking and health. However, the 3rd article is probably not what the author is looking for. If too many of your links are off topic, it means you need more specific search terms. 1 2 3 4 5 6

7. Is it credible?
Three of these links look highly credible. Website 1 leads to the CDC, a government organization (note the .gov in the green url).
The American Lung Association and the American Cancer Association (websites 5 & 6) are also highly credible resources for facts about smoking health. They are well-known and trusted organizations. 1 2 3 4 5 6

8. Is it credible?
In the middle, there is a section of links for ‘News for smoking health.’ Here you will find links to news articles that may or may not be trustworthy. However, some articles are written by journalists working for accredited news sources. These journalists are required to report the facts.
*On the Internet, it is difficult to tell when a news source is trustworthy. A good rule is to stick with news sources that are mainstream (popular) and well-established (they’ve been around for a while). 1 2 3 4 5 6

9. When you do your own search, you will probably also find a wealth of evidence. It is your job to read, sort through the evidence, and choose the best evidence for your purpose and audience.

10. A student is performing research for a writing piece on banning cell phones in schools. She wants evidence that cell phones should be allowed in schools because they can benefit student learning. Consider the search results below. Which should she click on? Why/not?

11. To Click or Not To Click? Link 1 NO – Not on topic Link 2
• YES- It is on topic. It may have information and be worth clicking.
NO – It appears to be the results of a survey of the general population – not an author or expert.
Link 3
NO – relatively old in the world of technology
YES – It is on topic. Marc Prensky is considered an expert in his field.
Link 4
YES – It is on topic. It is from a teaching website.

12. Using Google more effectively:…
Numerical ranges
What it does: Searches for a range of numbers, such as years of prices
What to type: Barack Obama 2000…2006
What you’ll get: Webpages that discuss Barack Obama during this time period.
site:
Site specific
What it does: Searches only particular websites
What to type: financial literacy site:.edu
What you’ll get: references to financial literacy on .edu websites
“ ”
Exact Phrase
What it does: Searches for an exact phrase
What to type: “one small step for man”
What you’ll get: webpages that include the exact phrase “one small step for man”

15. Know what you are searching. What is your purpose?
Critically evaluate the site you are visiting. Ask questions!
Keep track of your site’s information on your source organizer.
Keep track of the information you find on a piece of loose leaf.
LABEL YOUR SOURCES.
Be sure to include quotations if you are coping word-for-word what you see.