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University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Rhetoric

This guide provides quick and easy access to library resources for Rhetoric assignments as well as guidance on getting research and writing help.

Handout: Select The Best Information Source

Class Activity: Engaging With Sources

All sources you find while conducting research are part of an ongoing conversation on a particular topic. It is your job as a researcher and writer to evaluate your sources to determine the validity of their contribution to the broader conversation.

Sample Topic

"Is there a connection between neighborhood air pollution and asthma rates?"

Instructions

1. Make a quick list of up to 5 criteria you would use to determine if a source you find while searching is credible and useful for an academic research assignment.

2.  Review the following sample source against your list and decide if you think this source is credible and useful for an academic research assignment.