Lateral Reading Checklist for Online Sources

Teach the practice sheets first, then hand out the organizers during a research project. The answer keys cover the four practice sheets.

Check an online claim in five lateral reading steps, from who runs the site to whether the evidence fits.

Yes. We made it for 8th Grade informative writing, and it works the same at home or at school. At home a student can print it and keep it with their school work. Teachers print a copy per student or one for the whole room, whichever the day needs.

Lateral reading means opening new tabs to see what other sources say about a site before trusting it. Lateral Reading Checklist for Online Sources walks through five steps, from who runs the site to whether the evidence fits the claim.

A signal phrase introduces a paraphrase or quotation with the author's name and a verb such as argues, notes or warns. Paraphrase Sources With Signal Phrases gives a verb box and seven practice sources.

Move from a broad subject to a smaller part you can cover well, then write a focused question. Rank Topics From Broad to Narrow for Research orders sets such as music, string instruments and handmade violins.