Article Main Point 2:
Step 4. Compare the Content of the Two Articles and Write a Paper. Use your notes from Step 3 as the basis to write a 1,200-word paper (preferably single spaced and 11 font) comparing the popular and scholarly articles you found to one another: Highlight your chosen criteria.
A. Use three criteria from the list below to describe and discuss for each article:
Author credentials What are the qualifications of the authors to write these articles? What are their educational credentials and affiliations? What experience do they have writing about this topic?
Audience: Who is the intended audience? How can you tell? Consider language/jargon, concepts.
References: Describe any references or works cited, including the amount of references, type of references, where in the article the references are provided.
Publisher: Identify the publisher and any relevant information about the publisher.
Purpose: Why was the article written?
Editing: Is it peer reviewed? Or basic editing? How do you know?
B. Compare the content of the popular and scholarly articles.
Describe 2-3 key points from each article.
How is the content similar?
How is the content different?
Read the section below to get an idea on how to structure the paper, and you can see how the paper will be graded.
Part II: How to Structure Your Paper and The Rubric
The written assignment should contain four sections: (1) an introduction and overview of the topic, (2) a summary of the information presented in the popular article on your topic, (3) a comparison of those popular article findings to information obtained from your scholarly sources and (4) your bibliography. In section 3, please be sure to clearly state how the scholarly source(s) differ from your non-scholarly source. When writing the assignment keep in mind that every statement that contains information from someone else’s work must be cited directly in the text (as author, year), and as a full citation entry in the bibliography. We will be using the CSE citation style because it is what is typically used in science, and it’s the easiest of the styles. Submit your worksheet and final paper to canvas.
Below is the rubric for the paper:
(1) Introduction and overview of the topic (5 points)—here you should present an introduction to your topics and sources. Be sure to include information that the reader needs to know in order to understand what you are presenting in the following sections.
(2) Summary of the information presented in the popular article on your topic (5 points)—here you should present the topic using information derived exclusively from your non-scholarly articles with emphasis on your criteria selected from step 4 (described above). This section should end with a logical and smooth segue into section 3 and should also include in-text citations where appropriate.
(3) Comparison to scholarly sources (5 points)—if you’re finding that one scholarly source alone doesn’t suffice, you can have more than one, it’s okay. Here you should compare your non-scholarly findings to findings of one or more scholarly sources (again from your chosen criteria in step four describe above). Please be sure to clearly articulate your impression of how the scholarly sources differ from your popular press sources. Use in-text citations where necessary.
(4) Bibliography (5 points)—list all sources (a minimum of two) according to the CSE citation style guidelines. Please note that no direct quotes are allowed in this paper. Everything must be synthesized in your own words. The total points here include your “compare and contrast” worksheet.
Because you are submitting the assignment on Canvas, put your last name in the title of the file that you upload (for example, “SMITH_CLIMATE_CHANGE”). The font should be 11-point Calibri or Times New Roman. I prefer that paper be single spaced, but double spacing is fine. Your paper must be at least 1,200 words (including works cited). Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
