Consider the following:

1. Vocabulary

• Why has the author chosen to use certain words? Are word choices neutral? Do they generate an emotional response? Do they convey a negative or positive bias?
• How is the headline/title phrased? Does it accurately reflect the content of the article?

2. Fact vs. Opinion

• Can you identify the facts presented, and separate them from opinion or interpretation?
• What is the balance between fact and opinion?
• Are sources clearly identified? Are cited sources presented as factual? Are those sources in themselves slanted or partial to a certain viewpoint?
• Is there consistency of factual information across an array of articles on the topic?

3. Presentation of Information

• What is not said? What has been played down, or buried later in the article?
• What kind of information does the author choose to focus on in the first half of the article?
• Is the information presented in a well-organized manner? Is there a logical flow, or does the author's thinking seem sloppy?

5. Audience

• Is there evidence that the author makes assumptions about the viewpoints of readers?
• Does the publication have a targeted audience? 
• Think about yourself as a reader: what personal biases or viewpoints might influence your evaluation of the author's reliability?

6. Images

• If there are accompanying images, do they affect your response to the article?