Assignment: analyzing the logic of an article – popular journal

While many of your research projects will require you to read articles published in scholarly journals, books or other peer reviewed sources of information, there is also a wealth of information to be found in more popular publications. These aim to inform a wide array of readers about issues of interest and are much more informal in tone and scope. Examples include general news, business and entertainment publications such as Time Magazine, Business Weekly, Vanity Fair. Note, special interest publications which are not specifically written for an academic audience are also considered “popular” i.e., National Geographic, Scientific American, Psychology Today. (Evaluating Information Sources, n.d., What is a Popular Source? section)

The above indicates that when reading a text—especially reading to learn and rely on the content of a text—we are to exercise due diligence. We need to exercise critical thinking and not blindly accept all information that passes our way. Our researcher reputations are at stake. And we are accountable to the readers who may rely on the information we provide.

For this assignment, you will locate and download a popular journal article to analyze the author’s use of logic.

References

Evaluating information sources. (n.d.). What is a popular source? The University of British Columbia. https://guides.library.ubc.ca/EvaluatingSources/ScholarlyPopular(new tab)

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate doctoral level writing skills.

Background Information

The Discerning Reader and Writer

As you read the sourced article for this written assignment, keep in mind the quality writing tips you have learned in your reading. One significant way to begin improving your writing skills is to improve your reading skills. By reading at-once on different levels, you will not only be taking in and processing the words (and information) that are displayed—but you will also be consciously assessing the quality of the information, the craft of the writing, and the aesthetics of the formatting. In other words, you will begin to read differently as a result—you will become a discerning reader. By reading ‘actively’, you will inherently build habits of observation that can carry over into your doctoral and professional writing through use of new words and a multitude of ways to articulate what you want to say.

As you analyze the logic of the article selected for this assignment, be on the lookout for the phrases that should be avoided at the start of a sentence. If you reviewed your most recent coursework submissions or contributions to the ADP, would any of the sentence start taboos be found?

1.  According to . . .
2.  There is a . . .
3.  It is [important, critical, advised, suggested, and so on] . . .
4.  In my opinion . . .
5.  The purpose of this [email, post, article] is . . .
6.  In 2014 [or any year] . . .
7.  I think [believe] that . . . (Handley, 2014, p. 26)

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Read The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools.
3. Read chapters 6–14 (pp. 27–55) in Everybody Writes.
4. Download the Scholarly or Academic Journal Articles(PDF document) document.
5. Download the Template for Analyzing the Logic of an Article(Word document).
6. Locate a popular article (neither an academic article, nor an industry/trade journal article) suitable for your ADP research focus or a business-related topic that is of interest to you.
7. Complete the template in its entirety, answering each question fully.
   1. Place the complete APA reference at the top of the first page.
   2. Include your full name in the header of the template. No cover page is needed when placing your name in the header.
8. Submit your assignment by the end of the workshop.