There are two ways to approach your evaluation of a source. The first, and most common, is through vertical reading where you examine your source from top to bottom (vertically). This is the way many of us have been taught to examine a website for authority and reliability. In vertical reading, you look at all of the information provided to you by the author of the page. This often includes things like
This is often not enough to really understand the context of the source. After all, you’re relying on the author or organization to make clear whatever biases they may have.
This is where lateral reading can enhance your research and deepen your critical thinking. Instead of relying on the source to tell you about itself, open up some new tabs and search for information about the author or organization. So you’re reading and researching across your screen, rather than up and down a single page. Look for things like:
The San José State University Writing Center has put together a guide to lateral reading and gives you some sample exercises (with solutions/explanations).