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Introduction to WIU Libraries (ENG 180): Evaluating Sources

This guide is meant to accompany the information found in your ENG 180 textbook. It provides additional information about WIU Libraries' resources and services

Choosing Sources

Once you’ve found some sources, you’ll need to figure out if they’re any good. Just because you found them in a library database doesn’t mean they will work for your project. There are many ways to evaluate the sources you find. One way is to ask yourself a series of critical questions about each source.

The resources below will help guide you through the evaluation process. Look closely at all three links.

University of Tennessee Libraries Evaluation Guide

Use these question to help you determine whether a source is worth keeping. You'll use these questions for the exercise below.

Choosing Your Sources - WIU Libraries

This guide from WIU contains some special considerations for different types of sources.

Purdue OWL - Evaluating Sources

Purdue's OWL contains great information on all aspects of academic writing and research. Check out their guide on evaluating sources.

Asking the Right Questions

Now that you've explored some methods for evaluating your sources, let's put your skills into action. For this exercise, complete the following steps:

  1. Open this article and read it carefully.
  2. After you have read the article, open University of Tennessee Libraries Evaluation Guide found in the "Choosing Sources" box to your left.
  3. Answer the questions on the Evaluation Guide using the article from Step #1. You may need to print the guide in order to do so.

Your ENG 180 instructor may require you to turn in your work or come to class prepared to discuss the evaluation you conducted.