Discussion Prompt: Analyzing Information

Discussion Prompt: Analyzing Information
The following quote is attributed to American writer Rex Stout (1886 – 1975): “There are two types of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up.”
Speakers often use statistics to support the topic of their speech. It is the responsibility of the speaker, however, to make sure that the statistics are accurate and reliable before using them in the speech.
In this session you will be giving an informative speech in which you will be required to use supporting evidence. This discussion will help you evaluate whether or not the information you find is accurate and reliable enough to use in your speech.
First, find an online news article that uses statistics. An example of such an article can be found at the link below.
Lowy, J. (2011, October 27). Caution: Study questions red-light camera use: Practice could end up putting profits ahead of safety and accuracy, group claims. Life on NBC News. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45055125/ns/us_news-life/#.WejEFlVKvIV