A STUDENT stands in front of a table that has lots of paper laid out on it. A LEARNING COACH walks into the room.
LEARNING COACH: Whoa, look at all this! You’ve got quite a lot of papers going on.
STUDENT: Yeah, these are all my sources for my persuasive essay.
LEARNING COACH: Oh, awesome!
The LEARNING COACH looks at papers.
LEARNING COACH: Now, are they all credible sources?
STUDENT: What do you mean?
LEARNING COACH: Credible. That means that the source is trustworthy and likely to be accurate. It’s easier to believe someone if what they say is usually accurate, or if they are knowledgeable about the topic.
STUDENT: Let’s see, I’m writing an essay saying that kids should be more encouraged to read comic books and graphic novels.
LEARNING COACH: Okay, so what sources do you have?
STUDENT: I have my friend Tommy’s blog. He says that most people who love comic books are really interesting people, and it’s probably a good thing to read comic books.
LEARNING COACH: Okay, but he’s not exactly an expert, and it doesn’t sound like he’s done a lot of research on the subject.
STUDENT: I have some quotes from a local comic book store owner, saying that she thinks everyone should buy comic books. She should know, she’s an expert.
LEARNING COACH: Yes, but she has a reason to say that comic books are great. She wants people to buy them at her store. So, she’s not exactly being objective.
STUDENT: Okay, but here’s a study that says that students who read comic books have a larger vocabulary and higher reading level than those who don’t. It was published in this respected academic journal.
LEARNING COACH: Now, that sounds like a credible source. I would definitely use that one. And let me know if you need a test subject, because I’m always down for a good graphic novel.
STUDENT: Totally!
LEARNING COACH: Thank you!
STUDENT: Mm-hm.
The STUDENT and the LEARNING COACH high five each other.
LEARNING COACH: Good luck.
STUDENT: Yeah…
The LEARNING COACH exits the room.
Which of his sources turns out to be the best?