BUILDING A BETTER SPEECH Argumentative Resources, Opinion Polls, Statistics, and Understanding Bias Through Evaluation Criteria

Forming an Argument

What kinds of Information Sources should I use for my speech? Both Electronic AND Paper sources can be used For current events, materials published in the last 3-5 years are good choices Know BOTH SIDES of the issue

Getting Started Identify your topic State the position you will support Highlight points of your discussion Use information from credible sources to support your position Pro/Con Materials Opinion Polls Statistics

Helpful Keywords to Use Issue Controversy Statistic Ethical Rights Debate Attitude Trend Condition Examples: ethics and journalism death penalty and controversy household spending and trends statistics and health care

Argumentative Resources

Print or E-Book Pro/Con Resources Book Series Contemporary Issues Opposing Viewpoints Reference Shelf Taking Sides

How do I choose a database? Subject Content Date or Year Range of Coverage Types of Material or Documents Indexed Currency (how often updated?) Format of information Citation Only? Full-text? Both?

Electronic Pro/Con Databases TOPICsearch articles in the database are associated with a main topic or current event. A good starting point for topic selection. CQ Researcher contains information on current and controversial issues. Focus is on issues concentric to the U.S. Government.

Pro/Con Databases (continued) Issues and Controversies provides up-to-date, objective information on the most prominent and hotly debated issues of the day. Includes both current and historical events. Points of View Reference Center Contains essays that present multiple sides of current issues. Each topic includes objective background/description, point, and counterpoint.

Opinion Polls

Which sounds better? Americans believe the war in Iraq was not justified. Of Americans polled, 56% believe the war in Iraq was not justified. A COLLECTIVE OPINION IS STRONGER THAN A SINGLE OPINION

Opinion? Fact? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an opinion is “A judgement, belief, or conviction held by the majority of or many people; what is generally thought about something.” On the other hand, a fact is “A thing done or performed. Something that has really occurred or is actually the case.”

Opinion or Fact? Dolphins are mammals. Sharks are more amazing than dolphins. Danielle Steel is talented. Danielle Steel is a prolific writer. Abraham Lincoln was the best president the United States has ever had. Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States.

Opinions vs. Facts (Statistics) Opinion-Strengths A consensus of opinions is much stronger than a single opinion Reflects the culture and society that experience these issues and events (primary resource) Opinion-Weaknesses Less concrete A view formed by someone’s belief which can be biased Not necessarily the truth Opinions can differ widely Facts-Strengths Very concrete Based in scientific/research methodology Data supports arguments Statistics helps determine the accuracy of information in the evaluation process Facts-Weaknesses Data can be manipulated Unless data collection is a regular practice, data can become outdated and irrelevant

Opinion Resources in Print Editorials on File Ref Ed48 Gallup Poll Ref G13g an organization studying human nature and behavior for more than 70 years through public surveys collects attitudes and opinions of individuals and key groups within the American population concerning national and international issues and events

Statistics

Which sounds better? A lot of Oklahoma students drop out of school each year. According to a report from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, 40% of Oklahoma high school students drop out of school each year. NUMBERS CARRY WEIGHT, PEOPLE ARE INFLUENCED BY STATISTICS

Electronic Statistical Resources LexisNexis Full-text information from over 5,600 sources Includes statistical resources GPO (Government Information) GPO Provides statistical information directly from the U.S. Government and the agencies who collect the data. Google US Government Search U.S. Census Bureau (Largest producer of statistics in the world) U.S. Census Bureau

Statistical Resources on the Web Pew Research Center (Main Site) Pew Global Attitudes Project Pew Internet & American Life Project Pew Hispanic Center Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Another Electronic Resource Google Use a Site Specific Command Searches only specific domains What to type: immigration statistics: gov immigration statistics: org

Evaluating Resources

Evaluating Information Authority – Who? Accuracy – What? Objectivity – How? Why? Currency – When?

Step 1: Authority Books & Articles Who is responsible for content? Author(s)? Editor(s)? Publisher Credentials offered? Newspapers Writer(s) Editor(s) Columnist(s) Web Pages Who is responsible for content? Webmaster? Web team? Organization? Institution? Company?

Domain Names Which one is right? Whois.net Indicates a reliable domain

Step 2: Accuracy Books & Articles Can the information be verified? Bibliography Works Cited Peer-reviewed (journals only) Newspapers Interviews Eyewitness Accounts Web Pages Can the information be verified? Links to credible sites Copyright Works Cited Fact check with a printed source

Step 3: Objectivity Books & Articles Biased or Objective? Persuasion/Emotion Author’s Point of View Newspapers Subscriptions ($) Advertising ($) Owners CJR review CJR review CJR review CJR review Web Pages Biased or Objective? Opinion/Fan sites Sponsoring Organization Agendas Political Propaganda Web hosting

Step 4: Currency Books & Articles When was it published? Copyright date Important based upon subject Science Social Science Allied Health Education Pharmacy Computer Science Newspapers published daily Web Pages When was it created and last updated? Well maintained web sites have an indication when it was last updated or modified Accessibility Dead links Stability Changes URLs frequently

Always remember the importance of Evaluation! Authority Who created it? Who is responsible? What credentials do they hold? What makes them qualified to discuss the topic? Accuracy Can the information be verified? Check the facts! Objectivity How is the information being presented? Is it objective or biased? What’s the point of view? Currency (important based on subject) When was it published? When was it last updated?

Exercise: Understanding/Detecting Bias National Network for Immigrant and Refuge Rights U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federation for American Immigration Reform Hispanic News

Are you ready to get started?

Thank You Jane Long, Reference Services