Evaluating Information (And avoiding plagiarism!)

Finding High-Quality Information Factual – based on facts - not hearsay, distortions, or opinions Reliable – is the source trustworthy and authoritative? Well supported – does the source list it’s sources? Current – is the info up to date? Verifiable – can you cross-check the information with other sources? Fair – is the info unbiased? Comprehensive – does the source include all relevant data and information?

Apply Critical Thinking Skills Ask questions: What is the source of this information? How do you know this is true? Why did this happen? Reject information based solely on opinions Research the author/creator of the source Beware of groups with misleading names

Analyzing Internet Sites “It’s all over the internet, so it must be true.” – DO NOT BE SWAYED BY THIS Don’t be dazzled by high-tech design Investigate sponsors and authors Look for author credentials Get background info on sponsors Examine domain names (.org, .net, .com, etc.) Look for a date created or updated

Avoiding Plagiarism 3 types of plagiarism Wholesale copying – using a large portion or an entire work as your own Cut and paste – copying bits and pieces of one or several sources and patching them together as yours. Inappropriate paraphrasing – restating information in your own words (without giving credit)

Citations 3 places you need to cite your sources In your speech In your outline On a Works Cited page

Giving Credit to Sources An oral footnote or oral citation – giving credit as your proceed through your speech “According to the CBS Evening News on March 15, 2014…” “In the book ‘Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters’ by Peter Vronsky written in 2004 he states….” Must Include at least 3 pieces of information: Author, Title, Date, Publication

MLA - Works Cited for Speeches On a separate page OR under your outline (acceptable for Speeches only) The words “Works Cited” should be centered, in bold, and without quotations The first citation should be one space under the words “Works Cited.” Citations should be placed in alphabetical order by the first word on the citation. Citations should begin at the margin on the first line and be indented (tabbed) every line thereafter. DO NOT number or bullet point the list

Example Works Cited Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Gleik, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. New York: Penguin, 1987. Print. Smith, Jane. “Pancreatitis and Its Effects on the Human Body.” Science Journal International 23.2 (1999): 23-38.

In Your Outline II. Body A. First, I will discuss the types of speeches you will give in college. 1. According to Cheri Simonds, director of Communication Education, at Illinois State University there are 3 basic speeches you must give in order to pass the required COM 110 course (Simonds). a. In the textbook Public Speaking for College and Career it states there are two general purposes for speaking: to inform and to persuade (Gregory 119).