Library

Examples

• Sociological Review
• Economic Botany
• Journal of Asian Studies
• New England Journal of Medicine

• PC World
• Newsweek
• Psychology Today
• National Geographic

Content and
Format

• Lengthy, signed articles; usually contain an abstract summarizing the main points
• Reports of original research
• In-depth analysis of topics
• Statistical information
• Substantial book reviews
• Refereed/peer reviewed to ensure quality standards of scholarship

• Short articles, sometimes signed
• Current events and news
• Brief, factual information
• Interviews
• Some brief book reviews

Language and
Audience

• College-level vocabulary
• Specialized language of the discipline
• Written for other academics and experts

• Non-technical vocabulary
• Written for general readers

Authors

• Researchers, academics, scholars
• Look for credentials, e.g., Ph.D. or affiliation with a university

• Journalists

Sources

• Footnotes and bibliographies
• Extensive documentation

• Few footnotes
• Frequently no bibliography

Publishers

• Professional organizations, universities, research institutes, and scholarly presses

• Commercial/trade publisher

Graphics

• Graphs, charts, and tables
• Ads are very rare

• Many graphics and photos
• Abundant advertising; full-page color ads