Fake news vs real news 4H

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Fake news vs real news

Students can identify differences between real and fake news articles.

Students can explain how language and structure influence credibility.

How often do you think you see fake news on social media?

1. Never
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. No idea

Wat voor effect kan het genereren van fake nieuws hebben?

In classroom

Step 1: Choose one article to read

✅ Reliable source: e.g. BBC News or NOS

❗ Unreliable source: e.g. clickbait site or AI-generated fake article (provided by your teacher)

Step 2: Answer these questions while reading:

What is the topic of the article?

What is fact, and what is opinion?

What are signals of fake news?

(Think about: source, language, style, fact-checking…)

Would you believe this article? Why or why not?

Step 3: Discuss with a classmate (or in pairs):

What stood out to you?

Which article seemed more trustworthy? Why?

Did you and your partner choose the same article?

Assignment:

Answer the questions below. Be specific and use examples from both texts.

What is the main message of each article?

What are three differences in tone or word choice between the two?

Find two fake names, institutions, or quotes in the fake article.

If you saw the fake article on social media, would you believe it? Why or why not?

How could the fake article be improved to make it even more convincing? What would be a good way to spot it as fake, even if it looks professional?

How to Spot the Fake Article

Check the source: Fake article mentions made-up groups or laws (e.g., “ClearChoice Europe”). Real news uses known, reliable sources.

Look for fake names: Invented experts (like Dr. Helena Krüger) are a red flag if you can’t find them elsewhere.

Notice tone and language: The fake text may sound too formal or use awkward jargon.

Check facts: The fake article twists the real story and hides real problems behind minor issues.

Watch for praise: Overly positive or defensive language can mean the article is trying to persuade, not inform.

Search online: If the story doesn’t appear on trusted sites, be suspicious.

Did we meet the goals of today?

😒🙁😐🙂😃