| Scholarly
or Academic |
- Few illustrations other
than charts and graphs
- Articles written by scholars or researchers in the field, often faculty with Ph.Ds
- Almost always lists sources and/or includes a bibliography
- Reports on original research or experimentation
- Often published by a university press, research center
or professional association
- May be scholarly because of the credentials of the writers,
but targeted towards students
- Examples of periodicals: Fashion Theory, Domus,
Art History, Art Bulletin, Journal of the
American Medical Association
|
| Professional |
- Written for (and usually by) people in a specific line
of work
- Assumes knowledge of the field
- Not usually available on the newsstand
- Only sometimes lists sources or includes bibliography
- Often published by a professional association
- Examples of periodicals: American Libraries, Playthings,
Communication Arts, Animation Magazine
|
Substantive
News |
- Often glossy in appearance with color illustrations
- Sometimes list sources or includes bibliography
- Usually available on the newsstand
- Articles are usually signed
- Level of writing geared to educated or well-read audience
- Sometimes difficult to distinguish between this and "Academic"
- Examples of periodicals: National Geographic,
Art in America, Artforum, Wall Street Journal,
Discover
|
| Popular |
- Easily purchased on newsstands, bookstores or available
for free via the Internet
- Geared towards general audiences
- Articles written by staff writers or freelance writers
- Slick or glossy (in print version), with lots of advertising
- Seldom includes list of sources
- Examples of periodicals: People, Sports Illustrated,
Vogue, Rolling Stone
|
| Sensational |
- Variety of styles, but often newspaper format when in
print
- Language is elementary and occasionally inflammatory
or sensational
- Purpose is to arouse curiosity and to cater to popular
superstitions
- Flashy headlines designed to astonish
- Examples of periodicals: National Enquirer, Star
|
Types of Information