1. Point of View The Bias, Perspective, or Position of a source of information (document, source, article, story to better evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of the information. By determining point of view, students will be able to identify inherent biases or limitations. Presented at Saving T.I.M.E. ~ 5 July 2008 Kathleen M C Carron Nancy Watson

3. It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind

4. The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!”

5. The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!”

6. The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!”

7. The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “ ‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!”

8. The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!”

9. The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a rope!”

10. And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! Moral: So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

11. SOAPS

12. SITUATION DESCRIPTION: The annual Lincoln Trojans versus Chiles Timberwolves football game was played Friday night. Due to family commitments I was unable to attend the game. The game was decided when Tom Brown caught a touchdown pass on the last play of the 4th quarter giving Lincoln a 14-10 victory. Monday morning when I arrived at school "everyone" was talking about the "catch" and the victory. What I want to know is what REALLY happened and just how great of a play this catch actually was. Throughout the day I spoke to the following people in an attempt to obtain the truth. As I review each source I must constantly ask myself "what is the validity of each person ’ s comment and what is his or her particular expertise in the area of high school football. Let’s use the SOAPS acronym to analyze the point of view of excerpts from some local reports (documents). The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about the importance of determining point of view.

13. DOCUMENT 1 Steve Ellis, Sports Reporter, The Tallahassee Democrat The annual Lincoln--Chiles football game ended in dramatic fashion when Tom Brown caught the game winning touchdown pass as time expired. Brown made a leaping catch and landed safely in the end zone capping an improbable come from behind win for the Trojans. (note: most high school game results are phoned into the newspaper sports desk) S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

14. DOCUMENT 2 Tom Brown, Lincoln Wide Receiver who caught the winning pass Did you see that catch?! I mean it was great! Man I knew I had it! That D-back was nothing! I ran right by him and just reached out and pulled it in. Focus, real focus!! We're number 1!! S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

15. DOCUMENT 3 Doyle Conner, Offensive Coach, Lincoln High School Great catch! Unbelievable! Tom has heart and no quit in him. When it mattered I knew he would come through. He's tough, a real gamer! I had the team focused. We were ready to play. Never a doubt! S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

16. DOCUMENT 4 Martha Bunch, Lincoln Cheerleader Captain It was a totally awesome catch! We won the game and, like totally disgraced that other team. I knew we would win after our half-time show, and we did! We rock! Go Trojans! Those Chiles guys had no chance. And you should have seen those Chiles girls! Their cheers were sloppy and screechy. No wonder we won!!! We're number 1!! Subject Occasion Audience Purpose Speaker

17. DOCUMENT 5 Helen de Troy, Lincoln teacher who attended the game to watch her son play Lincoln played real hard. The boys were great. It was a great catch that won a hard fought game. The noise in the stands after the game was unbelievable. Everyone was hugging each other and screaming. S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

18. DOCUMENT 6 Alfred Maclay, Defensive back who covered Brown, Chiles High We were robbed! That guy never caught the ball, he was lying there on the ground and the ball fell in his hands. He pushed me and the ref never saw nothing. Lincoln is nothing but a bunch of cheats! S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

19. DOCUMENT 7 Governor Lawton, Defensive Coach, Chiles High School What can I say? Alfred Maclay played him real tight. Lincoln ended up on the ground with the ball and the touchdown. Some nights you just aren't lucky, some you are. S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

20. DOCUMENT 8 John Marks, Football Referee, excerpt from his game report to the Florida High School Activities Association It was a clean and simple catch resulting in a touchdown. No penalty was involved. S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

21. DOCUMENT 9 Jimbo Fisher, Assistant Head Football Coach, The Florida State University. (Excerpt from his scouting report.) #83 Tom Brown, Senior. Position: Wide Receiver. Height: 5'6". Weight: 155. Comment: Has poor hands and only average speed. S ubject O ccasion A udience P urpose S peaker

22. What is the real story? All sources are NOT equal.