RumorGuard Report: Don’t Be Fooled

This close reading handout helps students analyze an example of viral misinformation featured on RumorGuard. First, students choose a social media rumor featured on RumorGuard to examine. Then they will summarize the main sections of the RumorGuard post and synthesize what they learned. They will also read a related fact-check article from a reputable, third-party fact-checker, and reflect on the steps that journalists take to fact-check viral claims.

Intended for grades 6 and up, this handout helps students reflect on common misinformation tropes and tactics so they can recognize similar falsehoods online. Students can complete this note-taking sheet individually, in pairs or in groups. It also includes an extension activity.

NLP standard 4: Students demonstrate increased critical habits of mind, including effective verification skills and the ability to detect misinformation and faulty evidence.