 |
To inform, report, and make available original research and new findings |
To offer in-depth reporting and feature articles without scholarly conventions |
To entertain and inform without providing in-depth analysis |
To disseminate news on a daily or weekly basis |
 |
Often devoted to a single discipline or subdiscipline |
Cover a wide variety of topics that may be of interest to the readership |
Will often focus on a particular subject or hobby but may also cover a variety of topics |
Will encompass current events in politics, sports, leisure, religion, and business |
 |
Subject specialists and experts in the field |
Staff writers, freelance journalists, preeminent authors, and scholars |
Journalists, freelance writers, and editorial staff |
Local staff, newswire services, and syndicated columnists |
 |
Researchers and specialists who are peers to the contributors |
A general but educated and well-read audience |
A general readership of non-specialists |
A general audience with an interest in the news |
 |
Articles are generally lengthy and devoted to one very specific, narrow subject or piece of research |
Articles are often lengthy and range from in-depth reporting and analysis to opinion and general interest features |
Articles are often brief and provide general information without going into great detail |
Articles cover a vast array of topics, but content is usually determined by current events |
 |
Employ specialized terminologies which often only a handful of scholars might understand |
Avoid jargon and use language that is appropriate for an educated readership |
Use no jargon or subject-specific knowledge |
Use common words and simple sentence structures |
 |
Cite sources in footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographies |
May refer to sources but not document them in any formal way |
Infrequently mention sources making information difficult to substantiate or trace |
Usually name sources but, in some instances, sources are kept confidential |
 |
Usually plain black print on white paper. May contain graphs and charts but seldom contain photographs or colorful graphics |
Some photographs and graphics but usually not as many as popular magazines |
Slick and glossy with photographs, illustrations, graphics, and interest-catching cover stories |
Usually thin, inexpensive paper stock and black ink. The amount of color and illustrative matter are determined by editorial policy |
 |
Limited advertising |
Ads are present but not a predominant feature |
Ads are present and may be a predominant feature |
Accept advertising of all sorts, usually offering both classified and display ads |
| This tutorial was originally developed for the Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by Lori Foulke, Stephanie Baker, Marianne Stowell Bracke, and Tom Kmetz. It is used here with permission. It was updated in 2008 by Susan Lane. It was reformatted for LibGuides in 2011 by Tom Kmetz. |
