You've helped them one at a time. The real understanding is how the ideas CONNECT — teach that next.
Vet (source-evaluation — CRAAP: judge the source itself) ×Crosscut (lateral reading — cross-check a claim across independent sources)
A slick website passes every CRAAP box. Why does Crosscut still matter?
Vet then says: “This site looks authoritative and accurate (Vet passes), so I can cite it without checking elsewhere.” — is that right?
The link: read the page (Vet) AND read across pages (Crosscut) — two directions of trust.
Judge the source, then check it against the others.
Synth (synthesis — combine evidence across sources (agreement, disagreement, gaps)) ×Verdict (forming a thesis — gather the evidence, then take a stand)
You've mapped where five sources agree and disagree. What does Verdict add that Synth doesn't?
Synth then says: “I'll skip comparing my sources and just state my opinion as the thesis.” — is that right?
The link: synthesise the evidence, THEN take your stand — the thesis is the conclusion of the synthesis.
Combine what they say, then say what you think.
Capstone — run one research project together
Three moves of a real project. Bring in the cast member for each.
Turn a vague interest into a focused, answerable question. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Decide if a site is trustworthy by cross-checking it against independent sources. Who?
Who do you bring in?
After gathering evidence, take a stand and state your thesis. Who?
Who do you bring in?
The synthesis: ask a sharp question, trust sources by cross-checking, then take a stand — research is a claim you earned.
Question, corroborate, conclude — research that holds up.
