Unit 9: Evaluating the Internet

Lesson 7: Perspective

Consider the perspective or point of view of the website you have accessed. Ask yourself the following questions to determine its point of view.

1. Does the site have a point of view? Does the site’s author take a stance or express a strong opinion? Are opinions supported with facts and citations? 
2. What is the tone of the site? Does the author use emotionally charged or emotionally detached language? Is the tone of the site serious and scholarly?
3. Does the site omit any information? Omission of relevant information could indicate that the author has not comprehensively researched the topic, or has a biased point of view.
4. Does the author try to be objective? Does the author have an impartial perspective or an opinionated, subjective point of view? Does the information seem one-sided or extreme? Does the author present balanced information from multiple perspectives?
5. Is the site linked to or associated with a biased website? Does the sponsoring website have an agenda that could sway the author to take a particular stance? Does the identity of the author or sponsor suggest a conflict of interest? Could the site contain information intended to mislead or misinform because of an agenda?

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