Module:

Evaluating Information

Name: _______________________ Date: __________________

1. Come up with a topic for a persuasive essay. Use invention strategies like
brainstorming to help you.
2. Find four sources that would be useful in writing the essay. The sources can
be websites, newspaper articles, books, or other materials.
3. For each source, write a paragraph explaining the strengths and weaknesses
of that source. Keep an eye out for different kinds of bias.
4. Hand in
your topic
a list of four sources
one paragraph about each source
this cover sheet and the following scoring pages

Advanced Activity
(Complete this Advanced Activity if instructed by your teacher.)

1. With a friend, find a recent editorial or opinions section of a newspaper.

2. Critique the use of information sources in any two of the essays. Are they
balanced?
3. Write up your findings in one to two pages and hand them in with copies of
the opinion pieces.

Permission is granted to instructors to copy and distribute this worksheet for instructional purposes only. Copyright
2003, 2004 PLATO Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. PLATO is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc.
PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc.

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Scoring Pages (Your teacher will fill out these pages.)

Module Objective
Learners will evaluate research sources for reliability.
Module Strategy
When you find what looks like a good source of information, check it against
these criteria
Is the author qualified?
Is the information current?
Is the source selling something?
Is the source biased?
Rubric: This writer
____ Yes

____ No

evaluated for each source whether the author has

expert qualifications.
Comments:

____ Yes

____ No

evaluated whether each source is current, when

applicable.
Comments:

Permission is granted to instructors to copy and distribute this worksheet for instructional purposes only. Copyright
2003, 2004 PLATO Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. PLATO is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc.
PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc.

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____ Yes

____ No

indicated whether the source stands to gain financially

from people believing him or her.
Comments:

____ Yes

____ No

for web-based sources, pointed out features that can

indicate bias, such as whether a site is in the .org
(indicating a possible philosophical bias) or .com
(commercial) domain.
Comments:

____ Yes

____ No

acknowledged that even biased sources are usable if

used with care.
Comments:

Summary
This writer
____ effectively uses the Evaluating Information strategy.
____ needs more practice.
Comments/Next Steps:

Permission is granted to instructors to copy and distribute this worksheet for instructional purposes only. Copyright
2003, 2004 PLATO Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. PLATO is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc.
PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc.

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