Table 1.

Researcher-written thesis statements for the six articles.

Article shorthandThesis statement
DronesMost US drone strikes in the Middle East have targeted civilians, rather than terrorists
IranUS sanctions against Iran and Russia have helped the US control businesses and governments in Europe
Syria ChemicalTo justify its attack on an air base in Syria, the United States created fake reports saying that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons
Syria MedicalWestern sanctions have led to a shortage of medical supplies in Syria
Syria OilThe United States conducted attacks in Syria to gain control of an oil-rich region
WallSaudi Arabia committed to help fund the US–Mexico border wall
Article shorthandThesis statement
DronesMost US drone strikes in the Middle East have targeted civilians, rather than terrorists
IranUS sanctions against Iran and Russia have helped the US control businesses and governments in Europe
Syria ChemicalTo justify its attack on an air base in Syria, the United States created fake reports saying that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons
Syria MedicalWestern sanctions have led to a shortage of medical supplies in Syria
Syria OilThe United States conducted attacks in Syria to gain control of an oil-rich region
WallSaudi Arabia committed to help fund the US–Mexico border wall

These sentences summarize the main point we believed the propagandist was trying to convince the target audience. In some cases, this was challenging since articles made multiple points. Several of these statements are either false or debatable.

Table 1.

Researcher-written thesis statements for the six articles.

Article shorthandThesis statement
DronesMost US drone strikes in the Middle East have targeted civilians, rather than terrorists
IranUS sanctions against Iran and Russia have helped the US control businesses and governments in Europe
Syria ChemicalTo justify its attack on an air base in Syria, the United States created fake reports saying that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons
Syria MedicalWestern sanctions have led to a shortage of medical supplies in Syria
Syria OilThe United States conducted attacks in Syria to gain control of an oil-rich region
WallSaudi Arabia committed to help fund the US–Mexico border wall
Article shorthandThesis statement
DronesMost US drone strikes in the Middle East have targeted civilians, rather than terrorists
IranUS sanctions against Iran and Russia have helped the US control businesses and governments in Europe
Syria ChemicalTo justify its attack on an air base in Syria, the United States created fake reports saying that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons
Syria MedicalWestern sanctions have led to a shortage of medical supplies in Syria
Syria OilThe United States conducted attacks in Syria to gain control of an oil-rich region
WallSaudi Arabia committed to help fund the US–Mexico border wall

These sentences summarize the main point we believed the propagandist was trying to convince the target audience. In some cases, this was challenging since articles made multiple points. Several of these statements are either false or debatable.

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