Transcript Chapter 9: Reading and Evaluating Electronic Sources

Chapter 9:
Reading & Evaluating
Electronic Sources
Reading Across the Disciplines:
College Reading and Beyond, 3/e
Kathleen McWhorter
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
In this chapter you will
learn how to:
Develop new ways of thinking and
reading.
Discover the purpose of Web sites.
Evaluate Web sites.
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
How Web Sites are Different
Than Print Text
 A print source is linear; electronic
sources are multidirectional.
 Electronic sources require new
reading strategies:
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Focus on your purpose.
Get used to a site’s design and layout.
Pay attention to how information is
organized.
Use links to find the information you need.
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Get Used to the Site’s
Design and Layout
 Discover how the site is organized.
 Expect the first screen to grab your
attention and make a main point.
 Get used to the colors, flashing
images, and sounds.
 Consider both the focus of and
limitations of your learning style.
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Pay Attention to How
Information is Organized
 Use the site map to discover what
information is available and how it is
organized.
 Consider the order in which you want to
take in information.
 Consider writing brief notes to yourself as
you explore the site.
 Expect shorter, less detailed sentences
and paragraphs.
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Use Links to Find the
Information You Need
 Explore remote and related links to find
detailed information.
 As you follow links, bookmark your original
site.
 If there are many pages, print the material
and read it offline.
 If you lack background material, use other
links to fill in the gap or search for a
different Web site on the same topic.
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Types of Web Sites
Informational
News
Advocacy
Personal
Commercial
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Informational Web Sites
Purpose: To present facts,
information, and research data.
Description: May contain reports,
statistical data, results of research
studies, and reference materials.
URL: .edu or .gov
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
News Web Sites
Purpose: To provide current
information on local, national, and
international news.
Description: Often supplements
print newspapers, periodicals and
television news programs.
URL: .com
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Advocacy Web Sites
Purpose: To promote a particular
cause or point of view.
Description: Usually concerned
with a controversial issue; often
sponsored by non-profit groups.
URL: .org
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Personal Web Sites
Purpose: To provide information
about an individual and his/her
interests and accomplishments.
Description: May list publications or
include the individual’s resume.
URL: URL will vary. It may contain a
tilde (~)
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Commercial Web Sites
Purpose: To promote goods or
services.
Description: May provide news
and information related to their
products.
URL: .com
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Evaluating the Content
of a Web Site
Evaluate the:
appropriateness
source
level of technical detail
presentation
completeness
links
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Evaluating the Accuracy
of a Web Site
Check for:
 Author’s name and credentials
 Author’s contact information
 Information complete or in summary
form
 Opinions represented as opinions,
not facts
 Reference list or list of works cited
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Evaluate the Timeliness
of a Web Site
Check:
The date on which the Web site was
posted.
The date when the document you are
using was added to the site.
The date when the site was last
revised.
The date when the links were last
checked.
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers
Visit the Companion Website
http://www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter
© 2006 Pearson Education Inc.,
publishing as Longman Publishers