How to Evaluate Web Resources

The Internet has given writers in all fields the ability to conduct research more quickly, and more thoroughly, than ever before. Whether they’re writing hosting reviews, tapping out novels, or blogging like a rockstar, nearly everyone who writes now relies in some part on the Internet for information. Yet with almost 640 terabytes of data being transferred every single minute—much of it poorly sourced—it can be difficult to discern, at first blush, the accuracy of information found on the Web, as well as the authority of its resources.

Life online has undoubtedly changed the procedures used to gather and assess information forever. But when it comes to well-written and effective content, the need for correct information, from reliable and authoritative resources, remains the same. Even in the cut-and-paste age of Wikipedia, evaluating sources based on their authority, relevance, and accuracy is still a requirement for serious writers. Bad sources, like bad seeds, can bear bitter fruit for those who use them.

Fortunately, the oceans of data and globe-spanning interconnectivity of the Internet make verifying sources easier than ever as well. In addition to the time-honored practices of using primary sources, identifying their authors, and verifying the accuracy of the information they provide, writers can use additional tools to keep their sources credible and authoritative. Some, such as Grammarly’s Plagiarism Checker, can be used to make sure the content being citing is original. Other tools, such as the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University, provide in-depth advice and examples for evaluating sources both on and off the Web.

The future of written communication is surely set not in stone, but in the glowing ether of cyberspace. Yet as long as humans continue to rely on the written word for the exchange of information, wisdom, and insight, effective and compelling writing will demand sources that are credible, authoritative, and accurate.

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