1. Is this piece: News? Opinion? Entertainment? Something else?
2. Does the writer present any facts? How would you check the reliability of these items? Is the population of D.C.under 700,000? What other facts are there?
3. Is the writer justified in the claim that having 700,000 people is too small to be a state? How would you verify that no state currently has a small population like this?
4. Consider the logic of the writer's claim about the "power" in Washington, D.C. What is the "source" of her perceived power? Is this a logical conclusion?
5. What does the writer want you to do or feel as a result of this piece?
6. Would you feel comfortable passing this piece along to your contacts? Why?
7. Analyze this piece using the SIFT Method: Stop, Investigate the Source, Find Better Coverage, Trace Claims and Quotes to Find the Original Source. You can read more about SIFT below in the Featured Article, Don’t Go Down the Rabbit Hole.
8. Does SIFT change your first impressions of this piece or your answer to question #5?
We’d love to know your answers. Drop us an email at pr@lwv-larimercounty.org. We may even share your comments on this page, so be sure to include your name and contact information.