Popular and Scientific Writing: Finding Difference

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Introduction

The research projects or papers are typically grounded by different sources, including books and scholarly publications from periodicals (magazines and/or journals). When an instructor or a professor issues an assignment, he or she specifies whether the used articles should be from popular (referred to as magazines) or academic (referred to as journals) publications. This paper addresses the differences between the writing done by scientists and the writing done by those in the popular media (Wardle and Douglass 486). Although accessible sources might contain well-grounded writing, being not without merit, their research depth, and the authority degree on a specific topic rarely claim authenticity inherent to academic value.

The Differences Between Academic Articles and Mass Media

Audience, language, authors, editorial data

Academic writing is written for professionals in a specific field. The use of relevant terminology characterizes the language in such articles. In turn, reports in mass media approach the general audience and, hence, they are easy to read and understand and contain no technical jargon. An author of a journal scholarly article is typically an expert in a given field. Each piece includes the authors institutional affiliation and credentials. Mass media writings are written by journalists who might either have or not have specialized knowledge of the subject or freelance writers. Moreover, sometimes the authors name is not listed in mass media. The field experts editorial board, edit academic writing; their credentials, institutional affiliations, and names are listed. The mass media pieces are not always modified by journalists with specific knowledge, and there is often no full editorial information. Some editors names might be omitted, or only the Editor in Chief may be mentioned.

Editorial process, format, and references

Scholarly articles are usually peer-viewed by outside topic experts before they are accepted for publication. In case any research items are controversial, the materials might be returned for revision before it is published. In the fields of health science and scientific sources, research publications might contain abstracts, literature reviews, methodology, findings, and conclusions. They always indicate the bibliography, sometimes with footnotes that document the study. On the contrary, articles in public sources are not reviewed by the relevant field specialists. Moreover, they have no specific structure and formatting, and usually do not contain any footnotes or bibliography.

Topics, design, and contextual peculiarities

Popular journalism focuses on a wide variety of subjects and presents them in short articles. The subject matters are overviewed in the form of reportage instead of the original study. The authors frequently refer to public opinion in their reports on social issues. They aim to attract a readership without advanced education and specific expertise and are usually designed to attract eyes through illustrations and photographs. Scholarly articles address narrowly focused topics, being in-depth and lengthy. Additionally, they often present previously unpublished studies and new developments in the given field. They are written for a specialized readership of researchers, students, academics, and professionals with no or little photographs, containing primarily text with charts or tables.

Comparison

As an example, the comparison of a peer-viewed academic writing and mass media article will be compared. Kulascewics (2015) conducted research examining the impact of media on racism through the portrayal of men of African American origin. Specifically, the research focused on how the African American male victims of the shooting were referred to (Kulascewics 3). The study has a strong claim: This research will also examine the impacts that media has on racism, and it will also consider the question, does media reinforce racism in our communities and how, and more specifically, this research will look at the impacts on African American men (Kulascewics 2). The author chose the Social Learning Theory as the framework for the given study. Kulascewics insisted that the selected frame is the most applicable to gathering the relevant data, explaining her opinion, and supporting it with concrete examples.

Further, the author shifts to the analysis method (textual one), its definition, and detailed description. The samples used in the research are described, and their precise amount is given (thirty separate pieces of free texts, including journal articles, newspaper articles, and media stories). The study addressed the data available to viewers and readers and how it influenced their emotions, behaviors towards others, and beliefs relative to racial bias.

After that, she provides the readers with her findings utilizing professional social jargon (racial micro-aggression, and others) (Kulascewics 40). Finally, the research is ended with the conclusion and two proposals. The first proposal promotes the idea to not use race as an identifier for a person or community. Reports should identify the individual by their name (Kulascewics 37). The second offer states that if the race is used as an identifier it should be used at the same rate for all (Kulascewics 37). All the claims and suggestions in the research are supported with reputable resources as evidence: Kulascewics refers to other peer-viewed scholarly articles, books, official websites, and other verified sources.

The writing is strictly logically structured, sophisticated, significant, written by an emotionless scientific language without a personalization only grounded facts, as befits a scientific work. The research ends with the full bibliography indicating all the sources used in the process of research. The article is not hard to perceive, although ordinary audiences might be bored with the scientific jargon and the absence of a friendly and personalized approach.

In turn, the article in Washington Post A (sort of) defense of South Carolina state trooper Sean Groubert by Radley Balko was chosen as a mass media source referred to by Kulascewics as one of the studied samples. The article addresses the case of shooting a black man, Levar Jones, by the white trooper, Sean Groubert. Balko writes informally, expressing his thoughts and feelings regarding the described situation and asking rhetorical questions appealing to the readers sentiments. For example, Balko asks: Does Groubert look like a cold-blooded killer? I doubt he got out of his car intending to shoot Jones (1). He aims to attract the maximum possible audience, hold their attention, and, therefore, increase the magazines ratings as it is an essential part of his job as a journalist.

No peer-viewed sources are used and, hence, the article cannot be considered a reliable scientific source of information. It is informational and reflects the authors attitude to what is happening, although he refers to reputable websites such as the Bureau of Justice and others. The sources are presented through direct links, and there is no bibliography at the end of the article it is a standard practice to catch the readership audience and make it follow the links and proceed reading the materials published in a concrete magazine. Balkos article is easy to read and engaging, but the hidden context of his attitude to the situation makes the readers justify the manifestation of racism (to a certain extent) in the given case.

Conclusion

Currently, digital platforms are characterized by innovative journalistic approaches enabling greater global reach and new communication forms. On the other hand, hoaxes and disinformation affect and accelerate the ways people interpret daily developments. Information systems are becoming more contentious and polarized by citizen journalism, foreign actors, and the proliferation of cable news and talk radio. Hence, there is a precipitous decrease in public trust in traditional journalists.

References

Balko, Radley. A (Sort of) Defense of South Carolina State Trooper Sean Groubert. Washington Post, 2014, Web.

Kulascewics, Kassia E. Racism and the Media: A Textual Analysis. School of Social Work, St. Catherine University, 2015, Web.

Wardle, Elizabeth, and Douglas Downs. Writing About Writing. 2nd ed., Boston: Bedford/St Martins, 2014.

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