EVIDENCE CHECKLIST

• Is it accurate?
  • Do the facts and figures seem accurate based on what you have found in published sources, reports by others, or reference works?
  • Are figures or quoted facts copied correctly?
• Is it reliable?
  • Is the source trustworthy and well regarded?
  • Does the source acknowledge any commercial, political, advocacy, or other bias that might affect the quality of its information?
  • Does the writer supplying the evidence have appropriate credentials or experience? Is the writer respected as an expert in the field?
  • Do other sources agree with the information?
• Is it up-to-date?
  • Are facts and statistics — such as population figures — current?
  • Is the information from the latest sources?
• Is it to the point?
  • Does the evidence back the exact claim made?
  • Is the evidence all pertinent? Does any of it drift from the point to interesting but irrelevant evidence?
• Is it representative?
  • Are examples typical of all the things included in the writer’s position?
  • Are examples balanced? Do they present the topic or issue fairly?
  • Are contrary examples acknowledged?
• Is it appropriately complex?
  • Is the evidence sufficient to account for the claim made?
  • Does it avoid treating complex things superficially?
  • Does it avoid needlessly complicating simple things?
• Is it sufficient and strong enough to back the claim and persuade readers?
  • Are the amount and quality of the evidence appropriate for the claim and for the readers?
  • Is the evidence aligned with the existing knowledge of readers?
  • Does the evidence answer the questions readers are likely to ask?
  • Is the evidence vivid and significant?