BUILDING A BETTER SPEECH Argumentative Resources, Statistics, Surveys, and Evaluation Criteria Frederic Murray, M.L.I.S. Reference Librarian

Information Literacy Determine the extent of needed information Access and use needed information effectively and efficiently Evaluate information and its sources critically Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base

Information Literacy Find it Interpret it Validate it Act on it --Karen Bruett - Director of Education and Community Initiatives - Dell Inc.

21 st Century Skills Knowing more about the world Thinking outside the box Becoming smarter about new sources of information Developing good people skills

Pro/Con NASA launches Controversy 2008 Feb. 26: Public outcry erupts over plans to build new launch site in wildlife refuge

Exercise: Argumentative Resources Worksheet Topic: Environmentalism Question: Should NASA build a new launch site at the cost of destroying a fragile ecosystem?

What kind of Information Sources should I use for my speech? Use both Electronic AND Paper Sources For current events, use materials published in the last 3-5 years Know BOTH sides of the story Use information literacy skills to select the most authoritative information

Argumentative Information Identify your topic State the position you will support Highlight points of your discussion Use information to support your position –Pro/Con Materials –Opinion Polls –Statistics

Helpful Keywords to Use Issue Controversy Statistic Ethical Rights Debate Attitude Trend Condition Examples: rights and abortion death penalty and controversy household spending and trends

Print Pro/Con Resources Book Series –Contemporary Issues –Opposing Viewpoints –Current Controversies

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

Electronic Pro/Con Resources CQ Researcher –contains information on current and controversial issues specific to the U.S. Government Issues and Controversies –provides up-to-date, objective information on the most prominent and hotly debated issues of the day

Which sounds better? Oil over $100 is cause for concern. Harvard economists believe oil over $100 is cause for concern. –A COLLECTIVE OPINION IS STRONGER THAN A SINGLE OPINION

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

Newspaper Databases LexisNexis –Full-text information from over 5,600 sources –National and regional newspapers, wire services, broadcast transcripts, international news –Statistical Resources NYT Online –Search or browse the full text of the New York Times from 1851–2004.

Online Surveys & Reports “fact tank” vs. think tank Pew Research Center The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues.

Opinions vs. Facts (Statistics) Opinion-Strengths –A consensus of opinions are 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 or Fact? Whales are mammals. Whales are superior to dolphins. Stephen King is talented. Stephen King is a prolific writer. Abraham Lincoln was the best president the United States has ever had. John Adams was the second president of the United States.

Which sounds better? A lot of freshman drop out of SWOSU each academic year. 40% of freshman drop out of SWOSU each academic year. –NUMBERS CARRY WEIGHT, PEOPLE ARE INFLUENCED BY STATISTICS

Statistical Resources Reference Collection (Behind Ref Desk) –American Attitudes –Americans at Play –Education Statistics of the United States –Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics –Statistical Handbook on the American Family –World Almanac

Statistical Resources Statistics Resources Blog –A Subject Tracer Information Blog for monitoring statistics resources and sites on the Internet. Government Information –Provides statistical information directly from the U.S. Government and the agencies who collect the data. –Google Unclesam (Gov’t Search Engine)

Now Knowing What You Know Complete the Worksheet

Exercise: Argumentative Worksheet Topic: Environmentalism Question: Should NASA build a new launch site at the cost of destroying an ecosystem?

Library Online Sources vs. the Internet: What’s the difference? Subscription vs. “free” resources aka “the hidden web” Evaluation time Not every good source that is available to you is in digital format

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

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 reviewCJR reviewCJR reviewCJR review Web Pages –Biased or Objective? Opinion/Fan sites Sponsoring Organization Agendas Political Propaganda Web hosting

Objectivity Fox News Al Jazeera NPR

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

Exercise: Evaluation Handout

Remember to Evaluate! 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?

Understanding/Detecting Bias National Right to Life Organization Planned Parenthood Operation Rescue National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL)

RESOURCE REVIEW: Pro/Con: Issues & Controversies/Opposing Viewpoints Collective Opinion: Editorials on File/ Gallup Poll/ Pew Research Statistics: Statistics Resource Blog/Google Unclesam/Gov’t Webpage

Writing Your Paper Writing Center –Located in the basement of the library –Call for appointment # MLA Style –Style Sheets –MLA Handbook at Reference & Circulation Desk –

Thank You Frederic Murray, M.L.I.S