TwFs for News Literature

This set of Tasks with Feedback (TwFs) is for learning news literacy.

What value or rewards does one get from staying current on the news?
1. Helps you make better personal decisions
  - Spot opportunities (e.g., new medical breakthroughs, beneficial programs)
  - Prepare for threats (e.g., storms, safety warnings, scams)
  - Manage your finances more wisely (e.g., economic changes, product recalls)
2. Builds stronger social connection
  - News gives you shared topics for conversation
  - Being informed helps you contribute value in discussions
  - You can support others with relevant information when it matters
3. Improves your contribution as a citizen
  - Informed voting leads to better outcomes for your community
  - Awareness of public issues helps you engage thoughtfully
  - You can advocate for positive change based on evidence
Overall, staying informed helps you protect what matters, pursue new possibilities, strengthen relationships, and contribute to a healthier society.
What does “news” mean?
News is information about recent events or issues that matter to the public because of their impact, relevance, or interest.
- Analysis (Key elements to look for):
  - The event or issue is recent (or newly revealed)
  - It affects people’s lives or decisions (impact)
  - It is relevant or interesting to the public
What are the success criteria for news literacy?
Success in news literacy can vary by the person and the situation, but most people value the following outcomes:
1. Efficient engagement
  - Able to stay informed with reasonable time, effort, cost, and hassle
  - Systems and habits that make news easy to access and understand
2. Well-rounded understanding
  - Awareness of major topics that affect everyone (elections, weather, health, economy)
  - Knowledge of personal interest areas (sports, science, arts, technology, etc.)
  - Ability to connect new information to what you already know
3. Accuracy and truth-seeking
  - Information is based on credible sources and evidence
  - Able to detect errors, misleading claims, and unreliable content
4. Balanced and fair perspectives
  - Exposure to different viewpoints
  - Ability to evaluate bias (in sources and in oneself)
  - Focus on what is most likely true and most important
5. Healthy emotional management
  - Avoid unnecessary anxiety, outrage, and manipulation
  - Maintain calm, curiosity, and critical thinking—even on tough topics
  - Know when to step back to protect wellbeing
Overall, news literacy means getting the information you need, without being misled or overwhelmed, and using that information to make good decisions for yourself and your community.
Complete the following template in the way that most honestly reflects your state of mind.

With respect to news literacy, I want to be able to ( ), because ( ). I will practice and persist until I can.
The key is honesty. There are no wrong answers. Here are some examples.
- I want to be able to tell what’s true and what’s garbage, because I don’t want to be fooled.
- I want to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed, because life is already stressful enough.
- I want to follow important issues in my community, because I want to vote based on facts, not hype.
- I want to keep up with the news that matters to me, because I enjoy good conversations with friends.
- I want to know why people disagree about big issues, because I want to understand others better.
Be truthful about where you are now and what you want. That honesty will guide your growth.
Why care about accuracy in the news?
1. Accurate information helps us understand the world as it truly is.
  - Better decisions for health, money, safety, and daily life.
  - Less confusion, fewer preventable mistakes.
2. Inaccurate information gives us a distorted view of reality.
  - Leads to bad decisions and unnecessary stress.
  - Makes it easier for others to manipulate or mislead us.
3. A clear, accurate view of reality increases confidence and calm.
  - We feel more in control when we know what’s actually happening.
  - We can focus our energy on what really matters.
4. When accuracy is a priority, we get better outcomes.
  - Stronger communities, smarter voting, more trust in each other.
So in short: accuracy protects us — and helps us succeed.
Why care about bias in the news?

Biased news presents information in a way that is misleading, distorted, or wrong.

Caring about bias helps you notice when the news is pushing you toward a certain belief instead of giving you a balanced view.

When you can detect bias, you are less likely to be misled, fooled, or manipulated — and more likely to make decisions based on reality, not spin.
What does bias mean in the context of the news?

General: Bias is a systematic error in thinking, measurement, or communication that leads to misleading, distorted, or wrong views about reality.

News: In the news, bias is when the news is presented in a way that is misleading, distorted, or wrong about reality.
What does “accurate” mean in the context of news?
Accurate news reports facts that are true, supported by reliable evidence, and not distorted.

A fact is an objective statement — one that can be checked and verified using evidence, regardless of anyone’s opinion.

Accuracy does not mean perfection. Most facts carry some uncertainty, based on the best evidence available at the time. If new evidence emerges, our understanding may improve. Good journalism updates information when needed.
- Examples of accurate, objective statements in news:
  - “The fire resulted in three deaths,” according to the county fire department.
  - “The governor said, ‘I support the bill,’ during today’s press conference.”
  - “A new poll shows Candidate A leads Candidate B by 4 percentage points,” based on data from a reputable polling organization.
Accurate news is honest about what is known, what is uncertain, and what may change.