Evaluating Sources (College Board AP® English Language & Composition): Flashcards
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Define credibility.
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Cards in this collection (15)
Define credibility.
Credibility is the degree to which a writer or source deserves confidence for a particular claim.
What five factors does a source's credibility usually depend on?
A source's credibility usually depends on authority, evidence, currency and context, purpose and audience, and scope and limitations.
Define authority in source evaluation.
Authority is the relevant expertise, experience or access that gives a source reason to be trusted.
A credible source explains how it reached its conclusions, for example by distinguishing _________ from causation.
A credible source explains how it reached its conclusions, for example by distinguishing correlation from causation.
Define currency in source evaluation.
Currency is how current and relevant a source is for its purpose.
True or False?
An older source is never useful in an argument.
False.
An older source may still be valuable for historical background, changes in public attitudes, long-term patterns or foundation research.
How does a source's purpose help you evaluate it?
A source's purpose helps you determine what the source is likely to emphasize.
Define bias.
Bias is a tendency to present an issue through particular interests, assumptions or values.
Define limitation in source evaluation.
A limitation is a boundary on what a source or its evidence can establish.
True or False?
If a source has a financial or professional interest in an issue, its information should be treated as false.
False.
An interest is a reason to inspect the evidence carefully, but it does not necessarily mean the information is false or misleading.
Define conflict of interest.
A conflict of interest is a personal, professional or financial interest that may influence judgment.
How can bias appear in a source that uses accurate evidence?
Bias can appear through what the source emphasizes or leaves out, so accurate evidence can still create an incomplete impression.
What signs can suggest that a source is strongly biased?
A source may be strongly biased when it presents only favorable evidence, ignores meaningful disadvantages, exaggerates certainty or makes claims broader than its evidence allows.
Define scope in source evaluation.
Scope is the range of situations, groups or conditions to which a claim or its evidence can reasonably apply.
What key question should evaluating a source help you answer?
Evaluating a source should help you answer what you can responsibly use the source to establish.
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