|
|
Some types of information are more persuasive than others. These snippets are all about the same subject, but are very different.
Q How can you evaluate them?Q How convincing is each?
Snake Oil gives a wonderful glow
Jackie Famous says,"Snake Oil works for me – it can work for you too!"
Snake Oil: A critical investigation
Blah blah blahblah, blah. Blah blah blah blah blah. blah blah blah blah blah. In conclusion, evidence indicates conclusively that snake oil has a direct impact on something interesting. Blah blah blahblah, blah blah blah blah blah.
Direct from the source
Our reporter observes the latest processes used to extract and refine snake oil.
We luv snake oil
Have you heard of Snake Oil? It's just fantastic. All my friends recommend it! We luv snake oil. [smiley]
Posted May 2009, 03:21:08
Snake oil from outer space!
Exclusive! Aliens landed in a small country field yesterday, bringing gifts of snake oil.
Based on traditional medicines, snake oil has been proved to have genuine benefits. [ Edit ]
This is a celebrity endorsement. It appeals to the public by relating a product to a popular figure with whom the target audience can identify, often without relevant expertise, which could validate the product. Since this information is designed to sell, it should not be taken at face value.
This is an article in an academic journal. An academic journal is peer-reviewed before publication (this means articles are scrutinised and approved by experts in the field). This makes it a trustworthy source of information. However it is important to seek out more than one source, to verify accuracy.
This is an article in a popular magazine. Many popular publications are designed to be informative. However most are also commercial, which means they depend on the number of sales for survival. Because of this, articles tend to have a popular slant, and may be incomplete or inaccurate. As this issue is seventy years old, the information is also out of date.
This is a 'spoof' article. This means it is deliberately designed to entertain and is likely to be inaccurate. In this case, the article was published on April 1. In Western culture, April 1st is known as "April Fool's Day", and is marked by jokes and pranks.
This is a posting in a blog. Blogs are personal publications, usually presenting the opinions of an individual. Personal publications such as blogs and discussion postings often lack objectivity. However the views they represent can also be well-reasoned and insightful.
This is an entry in an online encyclopaedia published using wiki software. A wiki can be edited by anyone, making it a powerful means of collating content by multiple authors. However the constant mutation of information means it is unreliable, so should be treated with caution.
Students
said…