Adapted from E. Meszaros and M. Goodsett, "Debunking & Prebunking: Strategies for Librarians to Eradicate Misinformation" (2022). Michael Schwartz Library Publications, 183. https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/msl_facpub/183
Fake news creators may attempt to impersonate a real person or organization to add credibility to their claims. Examples could include impersonating a scientist to advance a false claim relating to public health.
Fake news creators will often use headlines and/or claims with strong language meant to trigger the emotions of information users. These emotions could be strong positive emotions, but most commonly fake news creators will play on negative emotions like fear or anger.
Fake news may play on political divisions and try to divide people based on their political beliefs or affiliations.
Recognize that fake news creators may create content that claims an organization or government is secretly plotting against members of the public or is the cause behind some other issue.
Another common tactic is to discredit an individual or organization that is sharing information rather than address the claim itself.
Related to emotions, trolling involves invoking emotional reactions from individuals by using some form of "bait."
Source: E. Meszaros and M. Goodsett, "Debunking & Prebunking: Strategies for Librarians to Eradicate Misinformation" (2022). Michael Schwartz Library Publications, 183. https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/msl_facpub/183
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