User:Akornowski/Evaluate an Article

Which article are you evaluating?
Visual communication

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
I have chosen to evaluate the visual communication article. I chose this because it relates back to our english course through the topic of the origins of writing. Visual communication comes in many forms but we have touched on some topics of how writing is a visual representation of speech. My first impression of the article is that it is lengthy and in need of better citations from the banner at the top of the page alerting me to help fix citing verification issues.

Evaluate the article
Lead: The lead section does include an introductory sentence that is concise and detailed. The lead section does not include descriptions of the sections that are to follow. Everything in the lead section is covered in the rest of the article in more depth. The lead is concise however it needs to include a brief over view of the article’s major sections.

Content: The content within the article is relevant, however there is a lack of detail in many areas. Th important figures sections is vague and could have many more examples within it. The visual aid media section did not seem to be up to date. The content could be updated to cover new technology that qualify as visual aids. Populations could be represented more in the culture section. That section is short and lacking in detail as well. There could be specific examples added to show how some cultures use visual communication in their unique way.

Tone: The tone and balance of the article is neutral. The article is not opinion based and there is no persuasion. There is bias within the article and it is noted by the self published comments. These need to e removed and updated to a reliable unbiased source.

Sources: The sourcing of the article is a major issue. There are several citation issues in the beginning of the article including a few citations needed and a self published source. The sources specifically in the science section are up to date. The facts are backed up by other wikipedia sights or self published work. The important figures section for examples lacking a citation at the end of the paragraph. Overall there are many sourcing issues including self published sources as well as a lack of citations throughout the article.

Organization: The organization and writing quality is decent. The writing is concise and easy to read. The section of the article make it easy to read as well.

Images: There are two images within the article. The drawing at the beginning of the article is distracting and hard to read. The second picture is well placed within the social media section. Both pictures do have captions but they are short and vague. Additional pictures would enhance this article especially because it is about visual communication, therefore visuals would be helpful.

Talk Page: The talk page highlights are that there is a need for reliable sources as well as other edits to sections such as the overview. The article is rated a level-5 vital article. It is apart of wiki projects for: graphic design, media and systems. The article differs from out class discussion because we have taken historical stance on most of the interpretation of writing. We have examined historical pieces of writing as well as authors. This piece barely touches on the historical development of visual communication developing. That is a section that should be added.

Overall Impression: The overall status of the article is that it needs serious improvement. Details and specificity is lacking. Many examples should be added within sections such as important figures, visual aid media, culture and economic. The strengths of the article are is layout and sections. The article can be improved with citations, more examples, adding sections and improving reliable sources. I think the article is underdeveloped.