Reading: Advanced Textual Analysis
C1 Lesson 3: Evaluating Evidence & Credibility
Before You Read 🤔
Key Vocabulary
Understanding these concepts is crucial for critical analysis.
A Critical Reader's Checklist 🔍
When you encounter a new piece of information, use these five questions to judge its credibility:
- 1. Currency: Is the information up-to-date? (Especially important for science and technology).
- 2. Relevance: Does the evidence directly support the author's specific claim?
- 3. Authority: Who wrote this? Are they a recognized expert? Is the publication reputable?
- 4. Accuracy: Can the information be verified from other reliable sources? Are there citations?
- 5. Purpose: Why was this text created? Is it to inform objectively, or to persuade with a potential bias?
Case Study: Analyzing Two Sources
Let's evaluate two different texts about the health benefits of Kampot sea salt.
Source: KampotWellnessSecrets.com, by "NatureLover25"
Did you know that the amazing salt from our beautiful sea can cure almost any illness? I read a comment online that said a man cured his high blood pressure just by drinking salt water! My aunt also says she feels much more energetic... This natural product is clearly a miracle cure that doctors don't want you to know about.
Evaluation: NOT CREDIBLE. The author is anonymous (lacks authority), the evidence is anecdotal ("a comment online," "my aunt"), the claims are extreme, and the purpose is to persuade with emotion, not facts.
Source: Cambodian Journal of Science & Health, by Dr. Chea Sokha, PhD.
A study published on June 10, 2025, analyzed the mineral content of unrefined sea salt... The analysis revealed that, in addition to sodium chloride, the salt contains trace amounts of minerals such as magnesium and potassium... the report cautions that the quantities are not sufficient to provide a significant therapeutic effect from typical consumption...
Evaluation: CREDIBLE. The author has clear authority (PhD), the publication is academic, the claims are specific and cautious ("trace amounts"), and the purpose is to inform objectively.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Evaluate the Evidence
Read the following claim and evaluate the evidence:
"A new post on a Facebook page called 'Ancient Secret Health' claims that standing on one leg for 10 minutes every day can cure cancer. The evidence provided is a testimonial from one user who says, 'My friend did this and his cancer disappeared! It really works!'"
Why is this claim and its evidence highly unreliable?
- A. The claim is published in a major medical journal.
- B. The source is not an expert, the evidence is a single unverified story (anecdotal), and the claim is extreme and unscientific.
- C. The person writing the post has a lot of followers on Facebook.
→ Answer: B. The source lacks authority, the evidence is insufficient, and the purpose is to persuade based on a miracle claim, not to inform with facts.
Key Vocabulary Reference
- To Evaluate Evidence To critically judge the quality, relevance, and reliability of information used to support an argument.
- Credibility The quality of being able to be believed and trusted.
- Source The person, publication, or document that information comes from.
- Authority The recognized expertise or knowledge that makes a source trustworthy.
- Bias A prejudice that unfairly favors one side and prevents objective consideration of an issue.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Be a Source Detective!
Find an English news article or blog post online that makes a specific claim about science, health, or technology.
- Analyze the source. Who is the author and what is the publication? Do they have authority on this topic?
- What evidence does the author provide to support their claim? Do they cite studies, experts, or data?
- Based on your analysis using the checklist from the lesson, write a short paragraph explaining whether you think the source is credible or not, and why.