The first assignment for this class is to find some example
of a misleading (though Huff suggests "lie" instead of "mislead" - you
can make the decision which is the case for your example) use of statistics
(including presentation of data in charts or graphs). Feel free to
pick an article from a newspaper (reputable - N&O or New
York Times - or not - National Enquirer), magazine, pamphlet,
or website. Alternatively, pick an advertisement.
Once you have found this misleading use of statistics,
you should write a critique (approx. 1 page, typed and double-spaced --
please no more than 2 pages) of the article's presentation of data/statistics
using the techniques described in Huff and in class. You should address
such issues as the following:
How is the article misleading?
What would be a better (more accurate) way to present
the information?
What other information might be useful?
Why might the author(s) have chosen to present the information
in this manner? For partisan purposes? To sell something?
This assignment will be graded based on how well the above
questions are addressed. In addition, writing counts; your
argument should flow nicely and be coherently structured. I am not
concerned with the content of the piece you choose to critique. However,
please make sure that it contains enough misleading use of statistics and
figures to justify your critique.
Finally, please make sure to attach a copy of the article or
a web address where it can be found, if at all possible. If you are
critiquing a TV ad, please take an extra paragraph to describe the claims
made by the ad.
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