COMM 2045: Public Speaking: 3. Credible & Primary Sources

What Makes a Source Credible?

Credible sources make your argument stronger and more reliable. Scholarly, peer reviewed sources are always credible.  You can evaluate other sources for credibility by asking:

• Who is writing?

  • Should be an expert: Master's degree or higher in their field

• On what topic?
  • Author should be an expert in the field they are writing about.  Ex. a Registered Dietician writing about nutrition

Any doubts about the credibility of a source you've found?  Ask a librarian!

Understanding Primary & Secondary Sources

For some research topics, you may want to cite original documents, interviews, artwork, artifacts, novels, poetry, or music. These are primary sources, which were either created at the time of an event or created by a person who experienced an event. They offer a unique insight into a particular time or topic.

Examples of primary sources:

Find Primary Sources