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Pollak Library

English 466: Modern British and American Poetry: MLA Citation

MLA Style Citation

Evaluating Sources

Evaluate Sources: Journals, Magazines, Trade Magazines

CHARACTERISTICS SCHOLARLY JOURNALS POPULAR MAGAZINES TRADE MAGAZINES
ADVERTISING Few or no advertisements Extensive advertising Extensive advertising
AUDIENCE Scholars and college students General;broad based Working Professionals
AUTHOR Scholars and Researchers Staff and freelance writers Professionals and staff
BIBLIOGRAPHY Always include bibliographies None May offer a bibliography
LANGUAGE/TONE Academic, research-oriented Simple language Professional terminology
LENGTH OF ARTICLE Can be 6-40 pages Varies; often short Varies; often short
VISUAL DESIGN Few or no pictures, Text w/statistics, few colors Extensive pictures, Glossy, colorful
PUBLISHER University or professional For-profit commercial Professional organizations
EXAMPLES American journal of sociology, Ecology and Society, American music teacher Time, National Geographic, Heirloom gardener Poets & Writers, Astronomy, American Libraries