Check a Headline Against the Details

Distinguish what a headline claims from what its evidence supports.

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5 questions0m 0s

Learn the skill

Read the whole short report. Check who was studied, what was measured, and how broad the headline is. A small example cannot automatically support a claim about everyone.

Worked example

A report about one classroom's choice does not establish what every child prefers. The headline should keep the same scope as the evidence.

A Fictional News Item

Headline: 'All Students Prefer Outdoor Reading.' Details: Twenty students in one class answered a preference question. Twelve selected outdoors and eight selected indoors. No other classes were surveyed.

1. What does the headline claim? Only one student answered All students prefer outdoor reading Nobody was asked

2. Who actually answered in the report? Every student everywhere All teachers in the country Twenty students in one class

3. How many preferred outdoor reading? Answer

4. Which headline better matches the evidence? Every child rejects indoor reading Most respondents in one class chose outdoor reading Outdoor reading wins in every school

5. What additional evidence would help study a wider population? Responses from a suitably selected range of classes A larger headline font Repeating the same claim

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