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WRT 100

This guide will provide you with supplemental assistance with basic information literacy skills.

Popular Magazines

Articles are written for the general public by professional writers or journalists. They are generally short and provide a broad overview of a topic rather than in-depth analysis. 

Characteristics: 

  • not peer-reviewed
  • covers current events & pop culture
  • usually short articles
  • author not generally listed 
  • does not cite sources 

Written by: 

  • Journalists, freelance writers or publication staff 

Written for: 

  • General public 

Published by: 

  • Mostly commercial companies

Substantive & Trade Publications

Articles focused on a specific field written by someone who has the education and experience to be considered an authority. These articles may or may not be peer-reviewed. 

Characteristics: 

  • sometimes peer-reviewed
  • reports on developments/trends in the discipline/industry
  • usually shorter in length
  • uses field language 
  • author credentials may be provided 
  • often cites sources, but not many 

Written by:

  • Scholars or professionals who have education and experience in the field

Written for: 

  • Academic and professional community

Published by: 

  • Professional associations, foundations

Peer Reviewed Journals

Articles that present in-depth, original research and commentary on current developments within a specific field. These articles have been written by scholars in the field and reviewed by other scholars in the field for scholastic standards and validity. 

Characteristics: 

  • peer-reviewed
  • contains original research 
  • lengthy with in-depth analysis
  • uses scholarly/technical language 
  • author credentials provided 
  • cites a long list of sources 
  • often times an abstract is provided 

Written by: 

  • Scholars or researchers in the field who usually have an advanced degree (PhD and/or Master's) 

Written for:

  • Academic community 

Published by: 

  • Scholarly societies or associations or by academic presses

Comparing Types of Sources

 
 

Peer Reviewed Journals

Substantive & Trade Publications

Popular Magazines

Audience

 

Academics, professors and students.

Substantive: general public seeking deeper knowledge. 

 

Trade: Professionals in a field.

General public. 

Written by

 

Scholars, experts or specialists with their credentials listed.

Credentialed journalists, professionals and industry experts. Authors’ credentials usually listed. 

Professional writers: journalist, staff or freelance writer, not necessarily experts in the field.

Author not always listed.

Publisher

Academic press or professional organization. 

Nationally or internationally recognized organizations. May have a social/political perspective.

Commercial businesses for

profit. 

Content & Tone

 

 

Written in factual, technical and scholarly language. 

 

Reports current and innovative research and scholarship.

Substantive: Reports and explores current news and trends. May be formal or journalistic but is usually more sophisticated in tone.  

 

Trade: Written in formal and technical language, often specific to an industry.

Written in relatively simple language.

 

Reports on current topics and events to inform and/or entertain. 

              Appearance

 

Usually plain with few color illustrations; may have tables, graphs; relevant photographs. Advertisements limited to books and journals.

Charts, graphs, photos relevant to article. May include graphic art. 

Eye‐catching and colorful with lots of paid advertisements. 

Review process & Sources

 

Reviewed by other scholars prior to publication.

Bibliography / Works Cited /

References always included.

Reviewed by professional editor employed by the publication; includes fact checking. Often identifies sources in the text.

Reviewed by professional editor employed by the publication, minimal fact checking. Rarely

identifies sources.

Examples 

Experimental Psychology 

Journal of Adolescence 

Journal of Popular Culture 

Advertising Age  

Ceramics 

Economist 

The Atlantic Monthly 

Ebony 

People 

Time
Subjects: English, Writing 100