1. Identifying Fake News Headlines
An information literacy adventure
by Karissa Alcox
I'm going to teach you how to identify a fake news article by the headline.
Many people these days are tricked by Fake News because people are often sharing headlines on Facebook without reading the article
By the end you'll have the tools to identify fake news by the headline alone

2. Take a minute to read these 4 headlines
At least one is fake. I'd like everyone to decide how many of these 4 you think are fake, and notice which details tip you off.
Hold up the number with your fingers.
Is anyone willing to share which they think is fake? Why?

3. These two are fake. By the end we will be able to identify why.

4. What's the Point of Fake News?
Entertainment +
Social Commentary =
Satire
As we've seen, Fake News is tricky business!
It may seem like it's impossible to distinguish between them, but there are some subtle elements that are often repeated in Fake News Headlines
So today I'm going to teach you 5 some tips and tricks about Fake News headlines so that you be able to properly identify fake news articles out of a list.
So What's the Point of Fake News?
Something to keep in mind when thinking about Fake News is that every good fake news article achieves two things: it entertains the reader but it also provides a social commentary. That's what makes Fake News such a good example of satire: an exaggeration of the truth to make a point.

5. 1. Unnecessary Adjectives
Unnecessary adjectives are included in the headline
Real headlines are as succinct and to-the-point as possible and would never waste a word on an adjective that wasn't vitally important to the news story (This Is That)

6. 2. Too Many Details Unnecessary details
Space is at a premium in real news headlines - Facts that don't contribute to the big picture of the story are never included (This is That)

7. 3. Vagueness Headline is ridiculously vague
A common type of fake news article uses vague terms to comment on wide-spread social phenomena. It's often to the point that it could be about anyone (The Onion's Local News section)
Real News headlines want to be seen as credible - very specific and factual

8. 4. Absurdity
Absurdity
This is an easy one: If it's absolutely impossible, it's probably fake news
What makes this article absurd? Highly improbable? (The Daily Currant)

9. What makes this article highly improbable? (The Waterloo Honk)

10. 5. Social Commentary Social Criticism or Political Mockery
Every good fake news article should contain an element of social or political commentary - otherwise it's just a lie. Sometimes the headline alone functions as the commentary
What is this headline commenting on?
(The Lapine and This is That)

11. 5 Elements of Fake News Headlines
Unnecessary adjectives
Too many details
Vagueness
Absurdity
Social Commentary
Tip: Look for multiple elements in each headline
Any questions before handout?

12. Answers!
Rob Ford Mistakenly Sues Himself: "I'm prepared to fight it." (Hammer in the News)
Area man digs 200-metre tunnel to Upper Canada Mall
(Yolk News)
Unemployed gender studies major sues ‘The Patriarchy’
(The Daily Currant)
Conservatives praise Antarctic ice sheet melt as beautiful expression of free market
(Borowitz Report)
Answers
Rob Ford Mistakenly Sues Himself: "I'm prepared to fight it." (Hammer in the News)
Social Commentary: Rob Ford's embarrassing antics
Absurdity
Details: a headline likely wouldn't include that quote
Area man digs 200-metre tunnel to Upper Canada Mall (Yolk News)
Social Commentary: consumerism
Vagueness: "Area man"
Unemployed gender studies major sues ‘The Patriarchy’ (The Daily Currant)
Social Commentary: exaggeration of stereotypical angry gender studies major
Unnecessary adjectives: Unemployed
Conservatives praise Antarctic ice sheet melt as beautiful expression of free market (Borowitz Report)
Social Commentary: priorities of Conservative party
Unnecessary adjectives: "beautiful"

13. Time Permitting: Quick example of a fake news source tricking thousands of people, and other REAL news sources.

14. The People’s Daily Online (a real news source) believed the Onion’s fake news story, and published it as real. This is one reason why it’s so important to be able to identify fake news by the headline alone.

15. Questions?