Library:Library Research Skills For Land and Food Systems/Module 01/Page 07

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How can I use this?

Understanding and identifying popular writing helps you evaluate sources to determine if they're appropriate to include in your paper or project.

What is popular writing?


Scientific discoveries are reported to people through both popular and scholarly writing.

Popular publications (also called consumer publications) aim to inform readers about issues of common interest to the general public. Examples of popular writing which many of you are familiar with include publications such as the Vancouver Sun and Maclean's.

Image Credits: [1]


Newspapercover.jpg

Image Credits:
  1. Microsoft. 2012. Microsoft images: MP900178526 [online]. Available from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?ex=2&qu=babies#ai:MP900178526%7Cmt:2%7C [accessed 22 May 2012].


Characteristics of popular writing:

Purpose:
  • Inform
  • Entertain
  • Sell Products
  • Promote a Viewpoint
Audience:
  • General Public
Author:
  • Journalists who may or may not have subject expertise.
Content:
  • Simple, non-technical language
  • Many graphics, photographs, and illustrations
  • Rarely cite other sources
  • Submitted articles are only reviewed by the editor of the publication
Examples: