Step 1: Using the RCGC Library Databases, find one high quality article on a topic of your choice to use for your persuasive speech.
Step 2: Briefly summarize the article (if you can’t remember how, see the link on e-Learning)
Step 3: Evaluate the article using the questions in Part 1
Step 4: Analyze the article using the questions in Part 2
Complete each article separately and complete a Works Cited page as the last page.
Summary: In the article (put article name here) by (put author’s name here)
Part 1: Analyze each article and then answer questions 1-8 below.
- Source. Even if you locate information in a database the articles can still be from newspapers or periodicals. Is this article from a newspaper or periodical? Is it a peer reviewed journal article?
- Author. Who is the author? What qualifications does the author possess? (research this on the internet) Is the author an authority in his or her field? Have they published extensively on this topic? Are they affiliated with a reputable university or institution?
- Timeliness. When this site was first published online? When it was last updated? Are its argument and information still timely?
- Evidence. Where does the author’s evidence come from? Does the evidence adequately support the author’s claims?
- Bias. Can you detect particular biases of the author? How do the author’s biases affect his or her arguments and conclusions?
- References. Are references provided for information given on the site? If so, who considers these references reputable?
- Links. Are there links to additional information? Do the links work? Is the linked information reliable? Do these links offer further insight into the author’s biases?
Part 2: After you answer the above questions 1-8 answer the following questions to determine the validity and usefulness of your information.
- Should you use this source? If so, how will it support your project? What information will you use from this source and why will you use it?
- Will your audience find this source credible and persuasive? Why? How will the credibility of the author, his or her research, or the credibility of the site itself assist you in ensuring that the audience believes your research?
- Is the credibility of this source suspect in any way? How?
