Problem:
Choose a "fact" that you found via social media and then trace it to its source. Not only will you determine whether or not this "fact" is true, you will also explain where it originated and how it has changed over time. You will explain how our current information environment influences the way this fact is understood by the public and how that understanding compares to what is being established by experts in relevant fields. Think of it like a game of telephone. What was the original idea? Is there consensus amongst experts on the idea or is it up for debate? Where did the idea come from? How has it changed? Why did it change? What values (on the part of audiences or content creators) are revealed in the changes that emerged?
A significant portion of the time spent on this assignment will consist of finding and evaluating research. We will talk a lot about what makes a source reliable or not and how we effectively use a variety of different kinds of sources in class. We will also discuss how to find sources using resources available through the UB library.
Steps for completing the assignment:
- Find a topic. You might want to start with popular accounts you already follow on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, etc.
- Follow any links available through the original post and research the post/ content creator to see what relevant information you can find. Do they have expertise in the area they are speaking about? Do they cite their sources? Can you find these sources easily?
- Figure out whether or not the "fact" is true (or if it is still up for debate amongst experts in the field) by finding reliable, academic sources on the topic.
- Narrate where you think this idea came from and the changes that you may notice between how the idea originated and what was presented in the post you chose.
- What does the evolution of the idea say about the state of our information environment? What values are revealed in the way that the information is presented?
- Condense the main ideas of your evaluation into a clear thesis statement that comes near the beginning of the paper.
- Support the thesis with evidence from your research.
- Make sure to cite your sources using both in-text citations and a works cited page that is located at the end of the document.
- Read your evaluation carefully before submitting it to Eli Review and to me for feedback.
- Make sure to consider the feedback you receive before turning in the final draft.