Relevance is the extent to which a source provides information you can use in your writing project. Remember your purpose when you evaluate potential sources. Even if a source provides a great deal of information, it might not meet your needs. For example, an analysis of the printing features in word-processing programs might contain a great deal of accurate and up-to-date information — but it won’t be of much use if you’re writing about color laser printers for college students.

Your readers will expect information that meets their needs as well. If they want to read about personal printers for college students, for instance, pass up sources that focus on high-capacity office printers.