We have discussed the importance of credibility in order to influence a reader's perspective, and one of the best ways to achieve this is by using details from a credible source to support your points. But how do we evaluate the credibility of a source?
What is a Credible Source?
Here is a list of things to consider when trying to determine the credibility of a source. When using online sources, look carefully at the website to determine the following:
- Who published it? For example, is it on a website for a reputable institution or media outlet?
- When was it written and how up-to-date is the information?
- Who wrote it?
- What is the author's purpose? In other words, how impartial are the writer's views?
Avoiding Non-Credible Sources
Citing a non-credible source in an essay can damage the reader's perception of the author and, therefore significantly weaken the effectiveness of his or her argument. When trying to find credible sources of information, avoid the following:
- A text with no author, unless it is published by a reputable institution or respected media outlet
- An article/journal containing out-of-date information
- Blogs or other self-published texts
- Articles that contain "research" with no citations
Evaluating Credibility
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