Evaluating Credibility and Reliability on OGT questions

1. Evaluating Credibility and Reliability on OGT questions Social Studies

2. Answer the following question • 37. Governor Stone is running for re-election. In a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, a citizen writes: The past four years have been devastating for our state. Governor Stone hasn’t done anything but make speeches and raise money for his next political campaign. The average family has less today than it did four years ago. In another letter, Governor Stone replies: The economy of our state is stronger than it was four years ago. The average family income has increased three percent, after adjustments for inflation. School funding has increased 23 percent. The state repaved 5,000 miles of four-lane highway. If re-elected, you can count on me to continue to improve the quality of life in our state. Governor Stone’s statement could be reliable because A. it was printed in the newspaper. B. Governor Stone is an elected official. C. it contains information that can be verified. D. the original letter writer represents the average family. • Did you write down which one you think it is? If not do so now.

3. Let’s take another look at the question • 37. Governor Stone is running for re-election. In a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, a citizen writes:The past four years have been devastating for our state. Governor Stone hasn’t done anything but make speeches and raise money for his next political campaign. The average family has less today than it did four years ago. In another letter, Governor Stone replies: The economy of our state is stronger than it was four years ago. The average family income has increased three percent, after adjustments for inflation. School funding has increased 23 percent. The state repaved 5,000 miles of four-lane highway. If re-elected, you can count on me to continue to improve the quality of life in our state. Governor Stone’s statement could be reliable because A. it was printed in the newspaper. B. Governor Stone is an elected official. C. it contains information that can be verified. D. the original letter writer represents the average family. • The answer is: C

4. So why C? • Let’s take a look at the other choices first: • A. it was printed in the newspaper. – Not all information that is printed in a newspaper is news. The opinion of the writer (or reporter) always comes into play. So “A” cannot be the answer. • Remember – we want to eliminate the answers that do not make sense first.

5. Let’s take a look at “B” • B. Governor Stone is an elected official. • You cannot depend on a statement just because it came from a politician. Politicians (like all people) are opinionated and can lie if they choose to. • That eliminates “B” as a potential answer.

6. 50% done • We have eliminated half of the answers, so now lets look at “D”: • D. the original letter writer represents the average family. • Once again, we are dealing with facts here and not opinions. A statement cannot be trusted just on the fact that it came from a source that represents many people. It must be based on facts.

7. This brings us back to “C” • C. it contains information that can be verified. • The word verified is the key word here. Look for responses that feature words that point to neutral credibility. • Don’t get caught up in the questions itself, focus on the factors that make the statement reliable or not. • Good Luck!!