Evaluating Sources

What lowers an author's reliability?

• If they are trying to persuade or convince the audience.

• If they are writing to inform the audience.

• If they are writing to educate the audience.

• If they present both sides of the issue.

Why isn't your opinion in your essay considered to be evidence or a reliable source?

• You are not an expert in any topic.

• Your opinions, without the support of facts, are biased.

• Your opinion, disguised as facts in your essay, is often just plagiarized from somewhere else.

• Your opinions need to be substantiated by credible sources.

True or False: If you can find it online, it must be true.

• True

• False

True or False: The website looks really official. The information it offers must be true.

• True

• False

True or False: It is clear who wrote the content because there is contact information and the information seems current and error–free. I can safely use this information for my homework assignment.

• True

• False

True or False: I should always compare the information I find online with at least 2 other sources.

• True

• False

True or False: I should always be a skeptic when it comes to information that I find online.

• True

• False

True or False: I should always review the sources (or author) of the website.

• True

• False

A skeptic is...

• a person who questions the validity of something appearing to be factual

• someone who is prejudice

• a person whose business is the publishing of books, newspapers, online article, etc

True or False: There is an email address listed in the website, so it must be a legitimate source.

• True

• False