Which practice helps you verify the credibility of information in a nonfiction text?

• A. Check for primary sources or cited evidence and corroboration
• B. Rely only on the author’s reputation
• C. Trust all statistics at face value
• D. Assume the text is correct without verification

Answer: (A)

Verifying information credibility in nonfiction comes down to checking the evidence behind the claims. The strongest practice is to look for primary sources or cited evidence and corroboration: identify where the author’s statements come from, examine the original data or documents, and see whether other reputable sources reach the same conclusion. This helps ensure the claim isn’t just a single viewpoint or misinterpretation. Relying solely on the author's reputation can mislead if the author has biases, errors, or incomplete arguments. Trusting statistics at face value can be dangerous due to sampling flaws, misrepresentation, or missing context. Assuming the text is correct without verification ignores the possibility of mistakes or bias. By evaluating sources, data, and cross-checking with other credible materials, you get a more reliable sense of what’s true.