Specific Sources: Newspaper articles

At first glance

By glancing at the article, you can easily find information to begin evaluating it. This information may include:

When was it written?

• Keep in mind that depending on your topic the age of the material may be important.

Who wrote the article?

• A byline indicates the journalist who wrote the article.
• If the article does not have a byline it can still be a valid source for your research.

What newspaper published the article?

• Depending on your topic, it might be important which newspaper published an article.
• Some newspapers have an established reputation such as the New York Times or the Washington Post. These are good sources for national and international news.
• Regional newspapers are excellent sources for local issues. The Arizona Republic is an example of a regional newspaper.

A closer look

By taking a closer look at the article, you can find additional information to help you evaluate it.

What type of article is it?

• Editorials, opinion pieces, commentaries, and letters to the editor are written to express an opinion.
• News articles report factual information about a current event.
• Investigative reports tend to be longer and include more background information.

How detailed is the coverage of the subject?

• How much background information is presented?
• How long is the article?