Minutes a day n e w y o r k

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S T R AT E G I E S   F O R   C O N V I N C I N G
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These sources then, have expertise. But that doesn’t mean they’re credible. Many seemingly knowledgeable
and trustworthy sources are actually incorrect or biased. In order to trust the source of any information, you need
to determine the agenda of the person/organization disseminating it. Are they simply trying to relay facts, or are
they trying to get you to believe something, or change your mind on a subject? It can be difficult to find a direct
answer to that question, but you can begin to get a clearer picture by looking into the following:
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What are the author’s credentials on this subject?
Is he or she qualified to write on the topic based on background or education? For some subjects, it is acceptable
to use information obtained from a hobbyist, self-proclaimed expert, or enthusiast, if you can verify it elsewhere.
However, you should obtain most information from a reputable source. And since you need to verify anyway, why
not use information, for instance, derived from Yale University’s Thomas Hardy Association, rather than from John
Doe’s personal website homage to his favorite writer, Hardy?
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Does the author document sources?
Where do relevant facts and figures come from? If you are consulting print material, there should be footnotes
and a bibliography that show the author’s sources. On the Internet, you may also find such documentation, or
sources may be documented by using links to other websites (see the following section on evaluating a website
based on links). Even documentaries, to use a previous example, should cite sources in their credits.
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Are the sources balanced and reputable?
Pages of footnotes are meaningless if they simply indicate that the author used untrustworthy sources him- or her-
self. Check some of the sources to verify that they are accurate and unbiased. For example, a book on gun laws
that relies heavily on material published by the National Rifle Association is not as reliable a source as another book
on the subject that uses a wide variety of sources representing both sides of the issue.
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While every author, like every person, has opinions about most subjects, authors of factual information are often
assumed to be without such bias. Bias in this context refers to a preference that makes one prejudiced. News-
paper and television reporters, for example, are expected to deliver the facts without offering an opinion. How-
ever, you should never assume a lack of bias.
For example, the 24-hour cable news channel, Fox News, uses the phrase fair and balanced to describe
its coverage. However, many critics have accused the channel of being biased. Try watching and reading the
news from a variety of sources. Check for differences in story coverage: Who spent more time on the four-alarm
fire than on the orphanage story? Who skipped the orphanage story to cover more of a politician’s handshak-
ing opportunities that day? You may also be interested in finding out more about the reporters and commen-
tators who deliver the news. Are they former politicians, or political speechwriters? Do they have affiliations with
special interest groups? What, if any, are their biases?