Every day you encounter dozens of claims online. "New study proves..." or "Experts say..." But how do you quickly judge if a source is worth trusting?
Most people either believe everything or dismiss everything. There's a smarter middle path.
Engagement Message
Ready to learn a 60-second credibility check?
Meet the "3 As" framework: Author, Agenda, Accuracy. These three quick checks will help you spot trustworthy sources from questionable ones.
Think of it like a mini background check you can do in your head.
Engagement Message
Can you type the three 'A' words you just learned?
Author: Who wrote this? Look for real names, credentials, and expertise in the topic. Anonymous blogs and fake-sounding names are red flags.
A climate scientist writing about climate change carries more weight than a random blogger.
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Can you think of someone whose expertise you'd trust on a topic you care about?
Agenda: What's the motivation? Is this trying to sell something, push a political view, or genuinely inform?
Check if it's sponsored content, from a biased organization, or has obvious financial motives.
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What are some obvious signs that someone might have a hidden agenda?
Accuracy: Are the facts checkable? Good sources cite studies, link to original research, and provide specific details rather than vague claims.
Watch for phrases like "studies show" without naming the actual studies.
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What's one vague phrase that makes you question an article's accuracy?
Let's see the 3 As in action. Compare these two examples:
