This handbook explains how to credibly debunk misinformation, while also explaining how and why misinformation is circulated.
Students will learn about the damage misinformation can do, where misinformation comes from, how misinformation sticks, how to strategically debunk misinformation, the backfire effect, and specific strategies for debunking.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource is a thorough guide to debunking misinformation.
The structure of the resource is helpful and includes charts and word banks that will help explain new concepts to students.
Additional Prerequisites
Students would benefit from background knowledge of misinformation, persuasive techniques, and rhetoric.
Differentiation
This resource would work well in any class that is discussing how to speak with people about things that aren't completely true. This can include health classes talking about making healthy choices, social studies classes talking about political discussions, language arts classes working on debate, or science classes discussing climate change.
After working through the resource, give out examples of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation and allow students to practice debunking. You may need to model this initially. Then, have students find their own examples and write out or record their debunking responses.
As an extension, for students who are advanced and mature enough, encourage them to use this guide to have debunking conversations in the real world and report back to the class.
Scientist Notes
This is a guide to managing misinformation, disinformation, and climate myths. It would help to verify climate information from credible sources. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.2 Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.5 Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.2 Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.
