[LM_NET] Journalists as Experts

["Beaman, Anita L" <albeam2@ILSTU.EDU>]

I'm teaching a high school argumentation & debate class tomorrow about
source credibility.  This is a pretty advanced class - we aren't talking
about evaluating sites found on Google, but comparing and evaluating
print sources found through databases, etc. (for example, why is the New
York Times a more credible source than the Mayberry News?).  We're also
going to talk about expert opinions, interpretation, etc.

 

I'm pondering many things as I prepare my lesson.  One question is this:
why do we consider journalists "experts?"  (I know this question is
going to be asked!)  How can they be experts on a variety of topics?
How do I articulate their expertise in a way that will satisfy my very
demanding students?

 

I'm also going to share CQ Researcher as a source.  Authors of their
reports cover a variety of topics - in another class last week, we found
reports on domestic violence and the war in Iraq written by the same
author.  Why is she a credible expert?  (as one student asked!) Is it
because she gets paid to do the research, to "become" and expert as
she's writing that report?

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on these matters,

Anita

 

Anita Beaman, Librarian

University High School

Illinois State University

Normal, IL

albeam2@ilstu.edu

 


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