In an era of “sharing is caring” how do you know what you get online is reliable? Primary sources are the foundation of fact-based news; but as you probably already know, primary sources can be photoshopped, edited, or manipulated in any other way before they are presented. In this activity, you will learn to question the news you consume and write an opinion piece for a newspaper.

Read

How to know what to believe?

• Don’t get spun by Internet rumors
• Establishing credibility in advertisement

Discover

Just give me the facts!

"Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information." -- Society of Professional Journalists

As you explore the following links, look at the number of shares and think of the legitimacy of the sources and the credibility and transparency of the reports. Was Fox News deceptive? Is it true that the “Obama administration has proved that it is all ‘coolness’ and no substance” as National Review claims; or were there signs of actual actions from the Obama administration that the BBC captured but were ignored by others. Is FlackCheck sticking to the facts? Make you own conclusions.

Create

Tools

• Internet access and a text processor

Tutorials and Handouts

• Finding Reliable Sources
• Finding Your Sources
• Do’s and Don’ts of persuasive writing

IMPORTANT NOTE: As you explore websites in this activity, be extremely careful NOT to click on advertisement.

Step-by-step

1. Check the computer to determine which software you’ll use to create your opinion piece.
2. Start a text document.
3. Select a style for your opinion piece (tone and type of approach).
4. Your first paragraph should catch the reader’s eye.
5. Explain your opinion writing complete sentences.
6. Use humor intentionally to keep your reader going – and connecting to your argument.
7. Be concise. Your piece should be around 500 words.
8. Create activate hyperlinks if applicable (for digital newspapers).
9. Conclude with a Byline – one sentence description of who you are.
10. Print to PDF and share your handout.

Need an advanced approach?

• Learn from the professionals with NYU Journalism Handbook for Students.
• Just give me the facts. British Journal of Anesthesia
• Photo fact-checking with JPEGsnoop (Windows only)

ACHIEVE

• Don't forget to talk to your librarian about all the reading, discovering and creating you're doing this summer to earn your Achieve Badge!

Rahm’s Readers is made possible by The James & Madeleine McMullan Foundation, Cubs Care, Comcast, Dr. Scholl Foundation, CPL Foundation Junior Board, Helen M. Harrison Foundation, Macys, Peoples Gas, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, ComEd, R.R. Donnelley, The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, Verizon and RPM Advertising through the Chicago Public Library Foundation.