How Information is Created. SWITCH Information Literacy Tutorial

How Information is Created

Let's explore how information is created using the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US as an example. This will help you know which sources to use.

SAME DAY
Purpose: To Inform
Only a few minutes after the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, television, radio and the Internet began reporting news on the tragedy.

NEXT DAY
Purpose: To Inform The next day, newspapers around the world report on the attacks. TV, radio and the Internet continue to report on the aftermath, often including a chronology of events.

WEEKS
Purpose: To Inform Weeks later magazines, TV, radio and the Internet feature opinion pieces and commentaries. Magazines feature more in-depth coverage and photos on the attacks.

MONTHS
Purpose: To Analyze Months after the attacks the focus shifts to analysis of the event. Experts begin publishing in journals analyzing the attacks against a broader framework. These scholarly articles include bibliographies and references.

YEARS
Purpose: To Analyze Years later, scholarly articles are still being published, but now books appear. They continue the in-depth conversation about the wider social and cultural impact of the 9/11 attacks.

SAME DAY Purpose: To Inform	Only a few minutes after the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, television, radio and the Internet began reporting news on the tragedy.
NEXT DAY Purpose: To Inform	The next day, newspapers around the world report on the attacks. TV, radio and the Internet continue to report on the aftermath, often including a chronology of events.
WEEKS Purpose: To Inform	Weeks later magazines, TV, radio and the Internet feature opinion pieces and commentaries. Magazines feature more in-depth coverage and photos on the attacks.
MONTHS Purpose: To Analyze	Months after the attacks the focus shifts to analysis of the event. Experts begin publishing in journals analyzing the attacks against a broader framework. These scholarly articles include bibliographies and references.
YEARS Purpose: To Analyze	Years later, scholarly articles are still being published, but now books appear. They continue the in-depth conversation about the wider social and cultural impact of the 9/11 attacks.