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Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 118 views

Finding Credible Sources for Your Informative Speech

As you prepare for your upcoming informative speech, it's essential to find credible sources to support your arguments and provide valuable information to your audience. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of selecting a credible website, identifying a potential article of interest, and creating a proper citation for your MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry.

Why Credibility Matters

When it comes to selecting sources for your informative speech, credibility is key. A credible source is one that is trustworthy, reliable, and free from bias. This is particularly important when it comes to online sources, as anyone can create a website or blog and publish information. However, not all online sources are created equal, and it's essential to evaluate the credibility of a source before using it in your speech.

Evaluating Credibility

So, how do you evaluate the credibility of a website? Here are some key factors to consider:

Authority: Is the author an expert in the field? Do they have a background or credentials that make them trustworthy?
Purpose: What is the purpose of the website? Is it to inform, persuade, or entertain?
Audience: Who is the target audience for the website? Is it a general audience or a specific group?
Content: Is the content accurate, up-to-date, and free from bias?
Design: Is the website well-designed and easy to navigate?

Selecting a Credible Website

Now that you know what to look for in a credible website, let's talk about how to select one. Here are some tips:

Use search engines: Use search engines like Google to find websites on your topic. Use specific keywords and phrases to narrow down your search.
Check the URL: Make sure the website has a .gov, .edu, or .org URL. These types of URLs are often associated with credible sources.
Look for author information: Check if the website has an author or a team of authors. If so, check their credentials and background.
Check the publication date: Make sure the information is up-to-date. If the information is outdated, it may not be relevant to your topic.

Finding an Article of Interest

Once you've selected a credible website, it's time to find an article of interest. Here are some tips:

Use the website's search function: Most websites have a search function that allows you to search for specific topics or keywords.
Browse through categories: Many websites have categories or sections that are relevant to your topic. Browse through these categories to find an article of interest.
Check the article's title and summary: Make sure the article's title and summary are relevant to your topic.

Creating a Citation

Now that you've found an article of interest, it's time to create a citation. Here are the steps for creating a MLA works cited entry or APA reference entry:

MLA Works Cited Entry

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Website Title, Date of Publication, URL.
Example: Smith, John. "The Benefits of Recycling." Environmental Protection Agency, 2020, www.epa.gov/recycle.

APA Reference Entry

Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month of Publication). Article title. Website title. Retrieved from https://www.url.com
Example: Smith, J. (2020, January). The benefits of recycling. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/recycle

Conclusion

Finding credible sources for your informative speech is a crucial step in the research process. By evaluating the credibility of a website and selecting a credible source, you can ensure that your speech is well-supported and informative. Remember to create a proper citation for your MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry, and you'll be well on your way to delivering a successful informative speech.

Additional Resources

MLA Handbook: The MLA Handbook is a comprehensive guide to MLA style and formatting.
APA Publication Manual: The APA Publication Manual is a comprehensive guide to APA style and formatting.
Citation Guides: Citation guides are online resources that provide examples of citations in MLA and APA style.

Discussion Questions

What are some key factors to consider when evaluating the credibility of a website?
How do you select a credible website for your research?
What are some tips for finding an article of interest on a website?
How do you create a citation for a MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry?

Assessment

Evaluate the credibility of a website using the factors listed above.
Select a credible website and find an article of interest.
Create a citation for a MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry.
Discuss the importance of credibility in research and how it relates to your informative speech.
Q&A: Finding Credible Sources for Your Informative Speech

As you prepare for your upcoming informative speech, you may have questions about finding credible sources. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about finding credible sources and creating citations.

Q: What is a credible source?

A: A credible source is one that is trustworthy, reliable, and free from bias. This means that the author is an expert in the field, the information is accurate and up-to-date, and the purpose of the source is to inform rather than persuade.

Q: How do I evaluate the credibility of a website?

A: To evaluate the credibility of a website, look for the following factors:

Authority: Is the author an expert in the field? Do they have a background or credentials that make them trustworthy?
Purpose: What is the purpose of the website? Is it to inform, persuade, or entertain?
Audience: Who is the target audience for the website? Is it a general audience or a specific group?
Content: Is the content accurate, up-to-date, and free from bias?
Design: Is the website well-designed and easy to navigate?

Q: What are some tips for selecting a credible website?

A: Here are some tips for selecting a credible website:

Use search engines: Use search engines like Google to find websites on your topic. Use specific keywords and phrases to narrow down your search.
Check the URL: Make sure the website has a .gov, .edu, or .org URL. These types of URLs are often associated with credible sources.
Look for author information: Check if the website has an author or a team of authors. If so, check their credentials and background.
Check the publication date: Make sure the information is up-to-date. If the information is outdated, it may not be relevant to your topic.

Q: How do I find an article of interest on a website?

A: Here are some tips for finding an article of interest on a website:

Use the website's search function: Most websites have a search function that allows you to search for specific topics or keywords.
Browse through categories: Many websites have categories or sections that are relevant to your topic. Browse through these categories to find an article of interest.
Check the article's title and summary: Make sure the article's title and summary are relevant to your topic.

Q: How do I create a citation for a MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry?

A: Here are the steps for creating a citation for a MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry:

MLA Works Cited Entry

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Website Title, Date of Publication, URL.
Example: Smith, John. "The Benefits of Recycling." Environmental Protection Agency, 2020, www.epa.gov/recycle.

APA Reference Entry

Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month of Publication). Article title. Website title. Retrieved from https://www.url.com
Example: Smith, J. (2020, January). The benefits of recycling. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/recycle

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a citation?

A: Here are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a citation:

Incorrect author information: Make sure to include the author's last name and first name, as well as their credentials and background.
Incorrect publication date: Make sure to include the correct publication date, including the year and month.
Incorrect URL: Make sure to include the correct URL, including the protocol (http or https) and the domain name.
Incorrect citation format: Make sure to use the correct citation format for MLA or APA style.

Q: Why is it important to create a citation?

A: Creating a citation is important because it allows you to give credit to the original author of the information and to provide a clear reference for your audience. It also helps to prevent plagiarism and to ensure that your work is accurate and reliable.

Q: What are some additional resources for learning more about citations and research?

A: Here are some additional resources for learning more about citations and research:

MLA Handbook: The MLA Handbook is a comprehensive guide to MLA style and formatting.
APA Publication Manual: The APA Publication Manual is a comprehensive guide to APA style and formatting.
Citation Guides: Citation guides are online resources that provide examples of citations in MLA and APA style.
Research Guides: Research guides are online resources that provide tips and strategies for conducting research and creating citations.

Conclusion

Finding credible sources and creating citations is an essential part of the research process. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your work is accurate, reliable, and properly cited. Remember to always evaluate the credibility of a source, select a credible website, and create a proper citation for your MLA or APA works cited entry or reference entry.