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Writing Seminar: Ancient City Pompeii: GRC 3496

Scholary Article

How do I know if it's a scholary article?

Scholary articles generally....

  • Are 5 or more pages, often over 10 pages

  • Contain "in-text" citations referring to a bibliography at end of article, or footnotes at the bottom of pages

  • Are broken into different sections

  • Use formal, often techical, language

  • Provide close analysis of a topic

  • Are published in scholarly (also called academic or peer-reviewed) journals

Scholarly, Popular, Trade? What's in a name?

Different types of publications have different purposes and different audiences. When we talk about journals, we can usually divide these publications into three broad categories: scholarly, popular, and trade publications.


Scholarly Journals Popular Journals Trade Journals
Purpose Informs and reports on original research done by scholars and experts in the field.Entertains and informs a general audience without providing in-depth analysis.Reports on industry trends and new products or techniques useful to people in a trade or business.
AuthorsArticles are written by subject specialists and experts in the field.Articles are written by journalists, freelance writers, or an editorial staff.Articles are written by specialists in a certain field or industry.
AudienceIntended for a limited audience - researchers, scholars, and experts.Intended for a broad segment of the population, appealing to non-specialists.Intended for practititioners in a particular profession, business, or industry.