Final answer:
Before providing source information, one should give background information, a brief summary, and evaluate the source's credibility to help the reader understand and assess the content.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before giving source information, it is critical to provide background information, a brief summary, and an assessment of the source's credibility. This introductory material is essential as it frames the source for your reader, giving them the necessary context to understand and evaluate the information properly. When incorporating external materials into your work, whether to support an argument or to present research findings, readers expect you to have done your due diligence in selecting and vetting your sources. This means providing reliable information, which includes specific facts, statistics, and examples. Furthermore, you may use anecdotes, background details such as location and cultural setting, and other contextual information to enhance understanding. Remember to also evaluate and reflect on the source's reliability, its usefulness, and the author's or organization's credibility. MLA formatting requires you to record bibliographic details like the author, title, publication date, and location, ensuring you can reference the source correctly in your work.