ENG 111 College Writing II

What kinds of resources will your instructor accept? 

• Check your assignment or ask your instructor what types of resources they are looking for. 
• Some instructors might require only scholarly or peer-reviewed resources. 
• Others may allow internet resources.  

If you use an internet source, think critically about the website and all of the resources you use:

• Look for the "About" link on the website.   
• Who is creating a website?  An organization?  A educational institution?  An individual?
• Is the website the product of expert opinion?  Or, is it a personal hobby or project?
• Are sources properly cited?
• Is the website well-organized and edited for spelling and grammar?

Additionally, many students use the CRAAP Test as a starting point for thinking about source evaluation: 

• C -- Currency
  • When was the material written?  Does it reflect current thought on the subject?
• R -- Relevance
  • Does the information in the source fit the goals of the research assignment?  Is it understandable?
• A -- Authority
  • What kind of expertise does the creator of the source have?  Can you trust the source to be credible?
• A -- Accuracy
  • Is the information factual and accurate?  Can you find the information in additional sources?
• P -- Purpose
  • Is the source intended for a particular audience?  Is the information biased?