Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• According to the article, why are memes “highly effective tools”? (Text Evidence)
Memes can be effective tools because people enjoy sharing them, so they can spread quickly online. Memes can also simplify a complicated issue or complex situation into a bite-sized piece of content that’s easy to digest. Research shows that seeing messages repeatedly can make people more likely to believe them—even if they aren’t true.
• What is disinformation? How can people avoid sharing memes that contain it or other harmful messages? (Domain-Specific Vocabulary)
Disinformation is information that isn’t true that people spread to mislead others. People can avoid spreading harmful memes by thinking about how a meme’s content makes them feel and why someone might want to make them feel that way. When a meme includes information that sounds factual, experts recommend reading more about the topic from trustworthy sources before sharing it.
• Which of the digital literacy strategies in the “How to Read a Meme” sidebar do you think is most important? Why? (Evaluating Ideas)
Responses will vary.