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In today's society hoaxes are a regular occurrence online, often wreaking havoc on people's lives. Learning how to spot these hoaxes or other similar pranks is important knowledge for people to possess, especially if you are on the internet for extensive amounts of time. This how to guide will help teach you how to recognize a hoax.
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Introduction
- A hoax is a joke or prank that may or may not be funny. It may even be malicious, actually causing a person harm. Some hoaxes are simple, while others take on elaborate forms. Today, a majority of these hoaxes are formulated and presented online, while others continue to be spread via photographs and film or video footage. If you are interested in learning more about these hoaxes, then continue reading this guide on how to recognize a hoax.
Step 1: What Type of Hoax?
- There are many types of hoaxes that have been created over the years. In today's society, advances in technology have made many of these hoaxes more difficult to pull off. At the same time, however, the advent of the internet has seen the emergence of many new forms of hoaxes. Some types of hoaxes that are prevalent include:
- Internet hoaxes
- E-mail hoaxes
- UFO hoaxes
- Alien hoaxes
- Bigfoot hoaxes
- Animal hoaxes
- Government or conspiracy related hoaxes
Step 2: Tips For Spotting a Hoax
- The type of hoax usually determines what characteristics will be present. However, some general tips for spotting a hoax include:
- The information presented is one-sided or the claims can only be validated by one or two people - this includes Alien, UFO or Bigfoot sightings. It also pertains to e-mails sent that only present one side of the story.
- There are usually no references to back up claims - this is often used in internet and e-mail related hoaxes. The person or company referenced is often made up, so there is no valid contact information provided.
- Appeals to the emotions
Step 3: What Makes a Hoax Successful?
- Most successful hoaxes have similarities, so it is important to know what these are so you can spot the hoaxes that are often missed by others. Successful hoaxes usually:
- Arrive in the form of a credible source
- Utilize impressive, technical language or industry jargon
- Involve a sympathetic person whose life and death hang in the balance - these usually arrive in the form of an e-mail hoax
- High quality equipment makes otherwise outrageous images appear more realistic
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