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Periodicals: Popular Magazines & Newspapers

Periodical is the generic term which includes popular magazines, scholarly journals, newspapers, and subject or professional publications that are published at fixed intervals.
National Geographic
People
Vogue
The New York Times
Better Homes and Gardens
Men's Health
Good Housekeeping
Time
Popular Science
The New Yorker
Newsweek
Rolling Stone
USA Today
The Atlantic
Harper's
Consumer Reports
GQ
Vanity Fair

Look at the Article

  • Usually only one author; staff-written or written by freelance authors or guest contributors
  • Article length is usually short
  • Article titles include popular or catchy words/phrases
  • Article does not have an abstract at the beginning
  • Sources are not cited; no references or bibliography at the end of an article

Look at the Whole Issue

  • May have Magazine or popular words in the publication title (e.g. BusinessWoman, Mother Jones, People)
  • Issued frequently (weekly, biweekly, or monthly)
  • Eye-catching covers, glossy paper, photos, illustrations, cartoons, sidebars
  • Many ads for general-consumer products and services
  • Audience is educated but not expert; uses simple language in order to meet minimum education levels
  • Purpose is to entertain or persuade readers with a variety of general interest topics in broad subject fields
  • Likely to be found on a newsstand or in a bookstore

Magazine & Newspaper Tutorial

Databases to Use

Subjects: Reference