|
Kind
of Article |
Purpose
for Writing |
Written
by |
Parts |
Appears In |
Research Article /
Contributed Paper |
To report research findings
from studies or experiments. Data may be collected through surveys,
interviews, experiments, etc.
To support scholarly communication
whereby researchers share their findings for everyone's benefit. |
Generally by researchers
with advanced degrees who are experts in the field. |
May have some or all:
-
Abstract
-
Introduction
-
Literature review
-
Objective/Hypothesis
-
Design/Methodology
-
Participants
-
Results/Data
-
Conclusions
-
References
|
|
| News Article |
To provide secondhand reports/summaries
of research or current events including basic information
To provide firsthand reports
of events where the reporter attended or participated |
Generally by journalists or reporters. Experts or scholars occasionally write for a popular audience.
Sometimes no author is listed |
May answer some or all of these questions:
-
Who
-
What
-
Where
-
When
-
Why
-
How
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Trade publications
|
| Feature Article |
To entertain and/or discuss
human aspects of news in a detailed manner |
Usually by journalists or reporters; sometimes
freelance writers |
|
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Trade publications
|
| Review Article |
To share with other researchers
a list of the best resources written on a specific topic and provide summaries
of the resources
A comprehensive review of the literature usually includes a substantial bibliography. |
Generally by researchers
with advanced degrees who are experts in the field. |
May have some or all:
-
Abstract
-
Context
-
Objective
-
Data Sources
-
Data Synthesis
-
Conclusion
-
References
|
|
| How-to Article |
To share information with
other professionals or hobbyists about how to do a task or how to do a
task better! |
Usually, professionals or other people
with expertise and experience in performing or redesigning a specific task. |
-
List of steps
OR
-
Narrative
|
- Magazines
- Trade publications
|
| Literary Criticism
Article |
To analyze or critique
an author and/or the author's works |
Generally by literary researchers
with doctorate degrees |
May have some or all:
-
Overview
-
Critical essay
-
Interpretation
-
Historical context
-
Biographical info
-
References
|
|
| Editorial |
To offer educated opinions--may
or may not deal with other articles in the issue. |
Generally by one of the
journal or magazine's editor(s); sometimes by a guest editor |
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Trade publications
- Scholarly Journals
|
Commentary/
Letter to the Editor |
To respond to articles or
topics and offer opinions supporting or opposing published articles |
Readers of the journal/magazine |
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Trade publications
- Scholarly Journals
|
| Product ((books, CDs, movies, TV shows, goods, etc) Review |
To recommend good new products
and offer cautions about poor new products |
Generally written by experts
on the topic; sometimes written by journalists, depends on where review appears |
-
Bibliographic citation or product
data
-
Price
-
Brief opinion article
- Rating
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Trade publications
- Scholarly Journals
|
| Essay Article |
To explain or promote new
theories or ideas |
Generally written by an
expert on the topic |
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Trade publications
- Scholarly Journals
|
| Creative Writing |
To entertain. Original
poetry, stories, and plays |
Varies |
- Varies depending on genre
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Scholarly Journals
|
| Interview |
To provide an in-depth look at an individual; a conversation between author and subject |
Experts or journalists, depending on where it appears |
- Question and answer
- Background information
|
- Newspapers
- Popular Magazines
- Trade publications
- Scholarly Journals
|
