List and explain the six criteria for evaluating a web source.

What will be an ideal response?


The web source must have (1) Accountability: Who is responsible for the website? The website should be signed and include information on the author's expertise and authority. You should also be able to verify the website's sponsor. (2) Accuracy: Is the information correct? The website's author or sponsor should be a credible authority, and you may be able to verify or refute the information by consulting another resource. In addition, the website should be free of mechanical errors; sloppiness in that area can indicate sloppiness in content. (3) Objectivity: Is the website free of bias? Is the purpose of the sponsor to support an issue? What are the biases of the author? Does he or she stand to gain from taking a slanted position? The more objective the author and sponsor, the more credible the information. (4) Timeliness: Is the site current? The website should include a date of when it was posted and updated. As in other sources, recent data is usually preferable. (5) Usability: Do the layout and design of the website facilitate its use? The website should not contain so many complicated graphics that you cannot download it or use it efficiently. Is there a fee to access the website's information? (6) Diversity: Is the site inclusive? Do language and graphics reflect and respect differences in gender, ethnic, racial, and sexual preference? Is it accessible by people with disabilities?

Communication & Mass Media

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You don’t receive meaning from verbal and nonverbal message elements. Rather, you ___________ meaning

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Communication & Mass Media

These four statements are made by candidates for the U.S. Senate. Which one attempts to use a thin entering wedge to convince the voters?

a. “Economic experts agree that the growing national debt will be the ruin of this country.” b. “Banning assault weapons today will create a police state of unarmed citizens tomorrow.” c. “Illegal immigrants take jobs away from American citizens. I know, I’ve seen a few do it.” d. “Jobs, jobs, jobs! They’re the only answer to America’s future.”

Communication & Mass Media