what is lateral reading, and why is it more effective than vertical reading to determine reliable information?
What is lateral reading, and why is it more effective than vertical reading to determine reliable information?
Answer: Lateral reading and vertical reading are two distinct methods used to evaluate the reliability of information found online or in written resources. Both approaches aim to help readers determine whether a source or claim is trustworthy, but lateral reading has been identified as the more effective method in detecting misinformation and confirming reliability.
What Is Lateral Reading?
Lateral reading is the practice of verifying information by leaving the original website, document, or resource and actively searching for additional information across multiple external sources. In this method, readers look for corroborating evidence, check the credentials of the author or organization, and investigate how reliable other sources consider that information.
- Instead of staying confined to the original source, lateral reading requires readers to “open new tabs” and explore whether other trustworthy websites, academic papers, or authoritative organizations back up the claims being made.
- This approach helps readers detect bias, distorted claims, misinformation, or even fake content by comparing the original source to multiple independent references.
What Is Vertical Reading?
Vertical reading, on the other hand, involves evaluating the credibility of a source by closely analyzing its content within the website or resource itself. This method includes activities such as:
- Reading the “About Us” section of a website.
- Scanning the article for references and citations included in the main content.
- Judging the source based on its presentation or the professionalism of the writing.
Vertical reading does not involve leaving the website or source in question—it focuses entirely on the internal information provided by the initial content.
Why Is Lateral Reading More Effective?
Research has shown that lateral reading is much more powerful than vertical reading in determining the reliability of information online for several reasons:
1. Verification Across Multiple Sources
- Lateral reading ensures that claims are cross-checked across trustworthy institutions such as universities, government sites, and reputable media outlets. This helps separate accurate information from biased or manipulated content.
- For example, if one website makes a health claim (“avoid vaccines because they’re unsafe”), a reader practicing lateral reading will leave the site and search for evidence from recognized medical organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
| Criteria | Lateral Reading | Vertical Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-checking claims | Compares claims across multiple sources | Stays confined to the original source |
| Accuracy | Objective verification via independent sites | Relies on how convincing the site “looks” |
| Bias Detection | Exposes hidden bias by comparing differing perspectives | Blind to bias since it focuses on one resource |
2. Neutrality in Judgment
- Vertical reading is prone to persuasion based on how professional or polished a website appears. A visually well-designed site or expertly written article might appear reliable even if the information is false. Conversely, lateral reading avoids judging information at face value by focusing on external evidence rather than the appearance or language of the content.
3. Defense Against Misinformation
- The internet contains vast amounts of misinformation spread through manipulation tactics, fake news, and sources that present themselves as authoritative while promoting false narratives.
- Lateral reading helps users identify “fake experts” or organizations by checking their reputation on external platforms, while vertical reading is vulnerable to being fooled by sophisticated propaganda websites.
4. Skills Used by Fact-Checkers
- Professional fact-checkers and journalists use lateral reading to evaluate claims, quickly moving across credible websites to gather supporting evidence or uncover opposing facts.
Steps for Practicing Lateral Reading
To adopt lateral reading, follow these four key steps:
-
Pause and Question the Information
- Before accepting a claim, ask: Who created this? What is their motive?
-
Open Multiple Tabs
- Search for independent, authoritative sources that can confirm or contradict the claim.
-
Check Reputable Databases
- Visit well-known databases, academic journals, and government websites.
-
Analyze the Consensus
- Compare findings across multiple trustworthy platforms to detect discrepancies.
Practice Scenario: Lateral Reading vs. Vertical Reading
Imagine a website claims, “Climate change is a hoax created by scientists to make money.” Here’s how you would approach it using lateral reading:
- Perform a search for “scientific consensus on climate change.”
- Open tabs with trusted sites such as NASA, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), and reputable news organizations.
- Evaluate whether scientists broadly agree that climate change is real and caused by human activity.
A vertical reading approach, by contrast, might involve checking only the “About Us” section of the website promoting the hoax and reading the article itself, making it harder to detect biases or misinformation.
Conclusion: Why You Should Use Lateral Reading
Lateral reading is undeniably superior to vertical reading for evaluating the credibility of information because:
- It combats misinformation effectively by relying on corroboration.
- It allows readers to make evidence-based judgments rather than superficial ones.
- Fact-checkers, journalists, and researchers consistently use lateral reading, proving its effectiveness.
Focusing on this method makes you a savvy consumer of information in today’s digital era, where trustworthy resources can be overshadowed by deceptive ones.