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?