Goal: We are going to learn how to critically evaluate media endorsements. This is a crucial skill for you to safeguard your personal brand and make informed decisions (NIL).

Collaboration: Column 3 forces groups to synthesize ideas and share findings in a single digital space

Flow: The four columns guide us sequentially through the critical analysis process (from Curiosity → Tools → Collaboration → Reflection).

See if you can find a sponsored athlete or "paid partnership"

Posted: Brand, NIL, Athlete

Sponsor: Paid partnership?

Investigate: "The post is..."

Find: "We found a source that..."

Trace: "This original information came from"

Why It Matters: Real analysis (Compare and weigh, don't just agree)

Challenging Link: Add a credible source that warns/limits or even contradicts the claim

Credibility Line: Who wrote it? Evidence? Bias?

Evidence: Are the claims linked? -> Obvious (2) / Somewhat (1) / Hidden (0)

Equity: Is this an accurate portrayal? Does this avoid stereotypes? -> Fair (2) / Mixed (1) / Problematic (0)

Total: _/6

• 4-6: Share with context

• 2-3: Verify again

• 0-1: Don't share

Check for scoring to make sure it matches the post

1. One thing you trust less now and why it matters

2. One question you'll ask next time before you buy product

3. One ethical step you'll take online (sponsors and sources)