Evaluating Written Sources

Before you read . . .

• Preview the written source by considering its title and any headings or other emphasized text. In one or two sentences, on a separate sheet of paper write out what you think the author will argue based on the title and headings.

While you read . . .

• Underline the author’s thesis or main point.  If you cannot locate an explicit thesis statement, write out, on a separate sheet of paper, what you believe the author’s main point to be.

• Draw parentheses around and number each piece of evidence the author gives in support of his or her main point.

• Put an asterisk next to each paragraph in which the author responds to an opposing viewpoint.

• Circle any words or phrases that seem to be emotionally charged, judgmental or biased.

After you read . . .

• After your first reading, reread the written source and write out, in a sentence or two, what you now believe the author’s main point to be.

• Determine how convinced you are by the author’s argument.  Explain your reasoning.

• Decide if you disagreed with any parts of the written source. How did you make that judgment?

• Taking all your answers to the previous questions into account, can you establish that this piece of writing would be credible in a research paper?  Explain what factors had the most influence in this decision.

Source: The Bedford Handbook for Writers (4^th edition) Deane Harper, p. 32