ENGLISH (GENERAL)
SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT
2025
NAME:
MATTHEW WRIGHT
SCHOOL:
CAMPION COLLEGE
CANDIDATE NO.:
1000160340
TEACHER:
MRS. DANIELLE GORDON-TAYLOR
TOPIC:
SOCIAL MEDIA
SUBTOPIC:
SOCIAL MEDIA’S ROLE IN THE SPREAD OF
MISINFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Page Number
Plan of Investigation
1
Source Material #1
2
Source Material #2
3
Source Material #3
5
Reflection 1
6
Reflection 2
7
Reflection 3
8
Group Written Report
9
Individual Participation Measure
10
Group Participation Measure
11
Plan of Oral Presentation
12
References
13
PLAN OF INVESTIGATION
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes” Mark Twain. Social media is a collection of platforms that enables instant communication
among diverse groups globally. This revolutionary tool has facilitated rapid exchanges of
ideas and information, offering many benefits. However, its power has been exploited by
malicious individuals to spread misinformation, resulting in tragic events, such as during the
Covid-19 pandemic. This investigation aims to explore the role of social media in spreading
misinformation, its effects on users, and its broader societal consequences. The research will
enhance my writing, research, and analytical skills while illuminating the darker aspects of
social media and revealing how it is misused.
Comments: State the topic of your research.
Also, you have not given a personal reason for your research into this topic. Say why it is
your personally invested in the topic. After you state the skills to be learned, show HOW you
plan to utilize them in the future.
Also, you have not stated what resources you are going to find and where they come from.
Word Count: 118 Words
1
SOURCE MATERIAL 1
SOURCE MATERIAL 2
2
SOURCE MATERIAL 3
3
REFLECTION 1
HOW MY SOURCE MATERIAL HAS SHAPED MY THINKING
Prior to beginning my research on the spread of misinformation on social media, I believed
that it was the result of individuals unknowingly sharing inaccurate content. I assumed that
social media was a platform where misinformation was spread due to careless actions or
ignorance. However, after engaging with my sources, particularly the PNAS article and the
SWGFL guide, I have come to realise that misinformation is often perpetuated by more
complex factors, including psychological biases and the use of algorithms. The Australian
International Institute of Affairs’ video further showed how misinformation is intentionally
amplified by malicious actors, especially during crucial events like elections or public health
crises. These sources have not only broadened my understanding of the issue but also shifted
my perspective on the responsibility of both social media platforms and users in combating
misinformation. I now recognize the nature of the problem and its far reaching consequences.
You need 2-3 initial thoughts which you will confirm or contradict. Also try to give the title
of the articles if the word count allows. You also need more clarity on what is the nature of
the problem.
4
REFLECTION 2
ANALYSIS OF THE LANGUAGE USED IN MY SOURCES
In the article "The Spreading of Misinformation Online" by PNAS, the writer's purpose is to
inform the audience about the psychological and technological factors driving the spread of
misinformation on social media. One key device used is statistical evidence; for example, the
article states, “Misinformation spreads six times faster than the truth,” which effectively
displays the severity of the issue. This statistic not only informs but also intensifies the
reader's concern about the pervasive nature of misinformation. In the SWGFL guide, the
writer uses persuasive language and a cautionary tone to warn users, especially young people,
about the risks of misinformation. The use of direct address through the second person point
of view for eg, lines such as "You are at risk," aims to stir the reader’s emotions and provoke
self-reflection on their personal responsibility in sharing information. Both resources use
these techniques to engage the audience and motivate action against misinformation.
Comments: i need one more device…from the other article, quote needed.
5
REFLECTION 3
HOW I HAVE GROWN THROUGH THE RESEARCH PROCESS
6
GROUP WRITTEN REPORT
As all students were during the primordial stages of this project, our group members were
rendered inconclusive on a topic for our English SBA. However, during one of many
discussions about the selection, we had a ‘eureka’ moment, inspiring us to select ‘The Role of
Social Media’ as our overarching theme. As social media plays an integral part in
adolescence, it became the obvious choice. Social media is a collection of platforms that
enables instant communication among diverse groups globally. We sifted through the endless
resources of the great world wide web and finally settled on online articles and video essays
for our sources.
Generally, the sources we used aimed to examine the nature of social media. We
unanimously agreed that the topic was one that deeply resonated with us, especially as
students who struggled with time management by the hands of social media. Overall, our
sources seemed to convey the idea in a frank and solemn tone while very few lightheartedly
delivered their messages. While some sources used pathos and logos to deliver their message,
others used statistical information to get their points across. Although sources varied, all were
effective in emphasizing their respective objectives.
After completing this project, we have a greater understanding of the many ways
social media affects our lives. We have been enlightened on both the negative and positive
aspects of social media. From the way we spend money to the information we receive. Social
media is the main medium for spreading propaganda and misinformation. However social
media can also connect people, creating global communities, all through a screen. As
adolescents we have also noticed the impact of social media on our generation. In conclusion
social media has a major impact on all aspects of human life.
7
THE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION MEASURE
Name of student: Matthew Wright
Date: February 4, 2025.
Areas Questions for students
Final
Score
1.
Do/Did you know what you are/were expected to do to work well in a
team?
1/1
2.
Are you able to focus on what is taking place in your group?
1/1
3.
How do/did you feel in the group? I feel self-confidence, self-esteem
and self-efficacy.
1/1
4.
Do/Did you know how to manage how you behave in the group
1/1
5.
Do/Did you manage your tasks on time and thoroughly?
1/1
Total Score
5/5
Total: 5 / 5
Name of teacher: D. Gordon Taylor Time: 1:05
8
GROUP PARTICIPATION MEASURE
Name of Group: Social Media
Facets of Process
1
Communicat
ion
2
Collaboratio
n
3
Reflection
4
Interaction
Rating Scale
0
1
2
Plan of
The plan of
All members
work not
work exists and have seen,
known by
most group
read and
all
members have
discussed the
members
seen, read and
plan of work
discussed it.
No
Some
Members
awareness
awareness of
seek out and
of what
what members
are aware of
members of of the group are what
the group
doing
members of
are doing
the group are
doing
Group
Group members Group
members
engaged in
members
show no
reflection on
engaged in
evidence of work at the end reflection on
reflecting
of some of the
work at the
on their
activities or
end of most
work
sessions
of the
activities or
sessions
There is
Members
Members are
misundersta attempt to
actively
nding
resolve issues
creating
among
and problems to interaction
members.
ensure a
with each
Group
comfortable
other and
unable to
relationship
displaying
resolve
among group
trust and
problems
members
respect
3
Score
2/2
2/2
Group
members
engaged in
reflection on
work at the
end of all the
activities or
sessions
3/3
Members
respect and
appreciate
each other; and
show empathy
to all members
3/3
Total Score
10/10
Total: ___ / 10
Name of teacher _______________ Time/Date ________________________________
9
PLAN OF ORAL PRESENTATION
REFERENCES
1.The spreading of misinformation online – PNAS
https://swgfl.org.uk/topics/social-media/misinformation-on-social-media-guidance-impactand-support/
2.How Does Misinformation Spread on Social Media – Australian International Institute of
Affairs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhysUu854PI
3.The Danger of Misinformation – National Library of Medicine
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7721433/
POI – 100 WORDS
REFLECTIONS – 150 WORDS
10