Question: Writing Assignment: Critiquing Scientific Claims in Promotional Items
Find an advertisement that bases its message on a scientific claim in a magazine, a newspaper, or online. Some examples you may find include advertisements for cars that use gas more efficiently than others, products that make you feel better or give you more energy, something that improves the appearance of your skin, or gadgets that filter harmful substances out of water.
Use the following four critical thinking questions to evaluate the claim and write a report to address how the questions can be answered based on the claim you are evaluating.
1. Who is presenting the information?
2. What are the interests of the person presenting the information?
3. What evidence supports the information?
4. Does the claim make sense?