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ENGL 057 - Critical Connections in Reading and Writing - Trout

Evaluating Sources With the 5 Ws

Who

Who created the source? Can you identify an author or organization? Does the author have credentials or advanced degrees in the subject they're writing about? Can you Google their name to find out more about them?

What

What is the nature of the information being presented? What facts or support does the author give? Is the information supported with references, or can its accuracy be verified with additional sources?

When

When was the information created? Is it outdated or no longer relevant? Are you researching a topic where more current information is essential such as technology or medicine? 

Where

Where was the information published? Is it an academic source such a scholarly journal article or book, or is it a more popular source like a magazine or newspaper? What type of website is it found on (.com, .org, .edu, .gov)?

Why

Why was the information created, or what is the author's main purpose? Is it to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or something else? Are there any biases that come into play with the intended purpose?

Rhetorical Triangle

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Rhetorical Triangle

You can use the rhetorical triangle to evaluate information. 

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Author

Look at the competence and expertise of the author in the area they are writing. 

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Audience

Consider who the information is written for and whether you fit into that group.

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Purpose

Use the context of where the information is found as well as the context within which it was written.

Evaluating Sources: Rhetorical Triangle

When you read a text, start asking three questions:

  • Who is the author of the text?
  • Who is the intended audience for the text?
  • What is the purpose of the text?

Author: When you read a text, try to find out as much about the author as you possibly can:

  • Who is the author?
  • What do you know about the author?
  • Is he/she trustworthy? Why?
  • What else has he/she written on the subject?  

When you write your own papers, you will need to convince your reader about your own trustworthiness and credibility the same way that you need to satisfy your own curiosity about the author of a text you read.

Audience: There are many different types of audiences.  When you read a text, it is important to know who the intended audience is. When you write a text, it is integral to know who your readers are.  Identify the audience based on the following questions:  

  • Who is the target audience?
  • What is the audience’s interest in the subject?
  • What does the audience know about the subject?
  • How would the audience feel about the subject?

Purpose: When reading, think of the specific purpose as to why the author is writing it.  Writers can have numerous purposes which change from situation to situation and audience to audience. Ask yourself these questions:

  • What is the writer’s purpose for writing the article?
  • What specific information is the writer conveying?
  • Is the writer trying to convince you of something?
  • Is the writer trying to sell something?

*Adapted from the University Writing Program Northern Arizona University

In-Class Activity: Would you use these sources in a research paper?

Instructions

  1. Choose 1 person from your group to act as "group speaker" who will share your answers to this activity with the class (either verbally or via Zoom chat).
  2. Work with your group to evaluate your assigned article using what you've learned about the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and/or the Rhetorical Triangle (Author, Audience, Purpose). Be prepared to explain whether or not you would use the article in a research paper, and why/why not.