Evaluating all sources

Checking for signs of bias

• Does the author or publisher endorse political or religious views that could affect objectivity?
• Is the author or publisher associated with a special-interest group, such as PETA or the National Rifle Association, that might present only one side of an issue?
• Are alternative views presented and addressed? How fairly does the author treat opposing views?
• Does the author’s language show signs of bias?

Assessing an argument

• What is the author’s central claim or thesis?
• How does the author support this claim—with relevant and sufficient evidence or with just a few anecdotes or emotional examples?
• Are statistics consistent with those you encounter in other sources? Have they been used fairly? Does the author explain where the statistics come from?
• Are any of the author’s assumptions questionable?
• Does the author consider opposing arguments and refute them persuasively?
• Does the author use flawed logic?