Types of Sources
Evaluation Questions
Evaluation Questions
WHO
WHO
Who is the author?
Who is the author?
What are the authors' credentials? What authority do they have to be publishing on the topic?
What are the authors' credentials? What authority do they have to be publishing on the topic?
Who is the intended audience? (experts, public, juvenile, etc)
Who is the intended audience? (experts, public, juvenile, etc)
Red flag: be cautious if you can't find any information about the author(s).
Red flag: be cautious if you can't find any information about the author(s).
Knowing the who helps you uncover potential bias and determine credibility.
Knowing the who helps you uncover potential bias and determine credibility.
WHAT
WHAT
What is the source type (website, article, book, etc)? Does that fit your requirements?
What is the source type (website, article, book, etc)? Does that fit your requirements?
What is the main point?
What is the main point?
What is the author's bias? Is the information based in fact or opinion? Does the author provide both sides of an argument?
What is the author's bias? Is the information based in fact or opinion? Does the author provide both sides of an argument?
Knowing the what of a source will help you determine how you will use this to enhance your argument.
Knowing the what of a source will help you determine how you will use this to enhance your argument.
WHEN
WHEN
When was the source written?
When was the source written?
Is the information still relevant?
Is the information still relevant?
Knowing the when helps you determine if the information is still current and relevant to your interests.
Knowing the when helps you determine if the information is still current and relevant to your interests.
WHERE
WHERE
Where was the information published? (Website, database, tweet, etc)
Where was the information published? (Website, database, tweet, etc)
Where did the author get their information? Do they cite those sources?
Where did the author get their information? Do they cite those sources?
Knowing the where will help you uncover any bias in the source.
Knowing the where will help you uncover any bias in the source.
WHY
WHY
Why did the author write the piece? What's their purpose?
Why did the author write the piece? What's their purpose?
Was it written to inform? entertain? educate?
Was it written to inform? entertain? educate?
Why is the information relevant to you? Why will you use this?
Why is the information relevant to you? Why will you use this?
Knowing the purpose of the source will help you use it correctly to enhance your argument.
Knowing the purpose of the source will help you use it correctly to enhance your argument.
Below are Google Slides presentations on particular types of sources
Below are Google Slides presentations on particular types of sources
What they looks like
What they looks like
How to evaluate them
How to evaluate them
How to cite them
How to cite them
