1. Truth or Truthiness? Stephen Colbert recently added two new words to the English language: “truthiness” and “wikiality.” Five years ago these two words would have made no sense. What recent trend is Colbert capturing with these two words? Is this trend good or bad? These materials are © 2008 Mary Anna Thornton, Conserve School, all rights reserved. Comedy Central Website. www.ComedyCentral.com. 18 May 2008.

2. To answer these questions … 1) Watch Colbert explain Truthiness and Wikiality 2) Read this Washington Post articleWashington Post article entitled “Truth: Can You Handle It?” 3) Think about what this might have to do with IRM Extra source: Wikipedia has a long entry on “truthiness” and a short section on “wikiality.” (“Wikiality” is covered in the general entry on Stephen Colbert.) These materials are © 2008 Mary Anna Thornton, Conserve School, all rights reserved. Greg Williams. “Image:Truthiness comic.jpg.” Wikimedia Commons. 19 August 2007. 19 May 2008.

3. Answer the questions in one long paragraph (7+ sentences) with in-text citations and a “works cited” list A really good paragraph has a: Topic sentence that declares your opinion 3 or more details or examples that support your opinion A concluding sentence that summarizes your opinion I also want you to show me how well you can do: In-text citations A “Works Cited” list Open-book and open-Internet! Remember, there are a lot of sites on-line that give tips for creating citations. Just please don’t e-mail one another. Remember, this assessment is not graded; it’s strictly for us to see how well we’ve taught you. These materials are © 2008 Mary Anna Thornton, Conserve School, all rights reserved. Topic sentence Three supporting points with in- text citations Concluding sentence Works Cited Your assignment …. Extra points for truly outstanding paragraphs!

4. Answer these questions in a standard five-paragraph essay with in-text citations and a “works cited” list A really good five-paragraph essay has: Introduction with a thesis that declares your opinion 3 main points that support your thesis 3 body paragraphs that explain these 3 main points with support, reasoning, and examples concluding paragraph that summarizes your opinion In-text citations A “Works Cited” list Open-book and open-Internet! Remember, there are a lot of sites on- line that give tips for creating citations. Just please don’t e-mail one another. Remember, this assessment is not formally graded; it’s mainly for us to see how well we’ve taught you. These materials are © 2008 Mary Anna Thornton, Conserve School, all rights reserved. Introduction with thesis, plus intro of 3 main supporting points Three supporting paragraphs, each explaining one of the main points that supports your thesis Concluding paragraph: sum up the really important parts Works Cited Ready for a bigger challenge? Bonus points for truly outstanding essays!

5. When you’re done, please do the following: Take the course survey.course survey Take the TRAILS information literacy test.