College Composition / Unit 22 CMP 0534 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Evaluating Websites
The idea
Websites need especially careful evaluation, because anyone can post anything online, though quality sources such as online journals also appear there.
In practice
Evaluate in order. First, check whether your instructor allows general web sources for this assignment. Second, identify who published the site and whether an author is named, with credentials. Third, check the date of the content and of its last update. Fourth, check where the information comes from: does the page cite its sources so you could verify them? Fifth, identify the site's purpose: to inform, to sell, or to persuade. Sixth, compare its key claims with other sources. Apply the same suitability, credibility and timeliness tests you would use for print.
Where people slip
A professional-looking design proves nothing about accuracy. The tests are about authorship, evidence and purpose, not appearance.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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