Step 1Before any credibility assessment can be performed the factual assertions must be identified and separated from opinions, arguments, conclusions. The first step is performed in order to isolate the facts, as these are the statements subject to a credibility determination. Step 1 is extremely illuminating. There will be times when an individual’s argument is nothing but opinions, conclusions, and arguments. When this occurs it means that there is no factual support for the information conveyed. This does not mean there is no factual support, but it may mean that. The ability to identify and understand when a communicator provides no factual support for their opinions and argument is important and will assist in the overall credibility analysis. The best way to approach STEP 1 is to assess all of the information literally, without inference or interpretation. Assess only what is said and interpret the information based on its plain meaning. Making inferences, and interpretations can be performed but not yet. Isolate each statement made and decide whether it is a fact.

STEP 1 is finished you will be left with a list of factual assertions. Once this list is made, you can now determine the accuracy of each factual statement. Every factual statement must be assessed for accuracy.