How Can I Evaluate Sources?

At the beginning of a writing project, you’ll usually make quick judgments about the sources you come across. Skimming an article, a book, or a Web site might be enough to tell you that spending more time with the document would be wasted effort. As you prepare to write, however, you should evaluate potential sources in light of your writing situation and your needs as a writer. Evaluating a source means examining its relevance, evidence, author, publisher, timeliness, comprehensiveness, and genre.