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The Veracity ModelThe Veracity Model

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VerityVerityThe search for the The search for the

difficult truthdifficult truth

How will we know that How will we know that we are coming close to we are coming close to the truth?the truth?

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VerityVerityIn order to be truthful. We must do more than speak the truth. We must also hear truth. We must also receive truth. We must also act upon truth. We must also search for truth. The difficult truth. Within us and around us. We must devote ourselves to truth. Otherwise we are dishonestAnd our lives are mistaken.God grant us the strength and the

courageTo be truthful.Amen

© 1991, Michael Leunig. The Prayer Tree

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What kind of city is this?What kind of city is this? Is it kind and Is it kind and

friendly or cold and friendly or cold and harsh?harsh?

Is it fair? Just? Is it fair? Just? Unfair? Unjust?Unfair? Unjust?

Is life getting better Is life getting better or worse?or worse?

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The ChallengeThe ChallengeHow can we best How can we best equip students to equip students to build their own build their own meanings? to find meanings? to find their own truths? To their own truths? To pass beyond second pass beyond second hand truths, cut-hand truths, cut-and-paste thinking?and-paste thinking?

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The Veracity ModelThe Veracity ModelSix questions to measure the Six questions to measure the

level of veracity. To what level of veracity. To what extent . . .extent . . .

1.1. Did I make a list of qualities and Did I make a list of qualities and issues the city fathers and issues the city fathers and mothers might want to keep in mothers might want to keep in the shadows?the shadows?

2.2. Did I deconstruct messages and Did I deconstruct messages and ads to identify classic distortion ads to identify classic distortion strategies?strategies?

3.3. Did I locate critics, unusual Did I locate critics, unusual sources and critical comments?sources and critical comments?

4.4. Did I challenge claims by Did I challenge claims by checking facts?checking facts?

5.5. Did I look for evidence to the Did I look for evidence to the contrary? contrary?

6.6. Are my findings and conclusions Are my findings and conclusions anchored in facts?anchored in facts?