User:FlareNight/Evaluate an Article

Which article are you evaluating?
The article in which I am writing is called Animism

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
'''I think many of the cultural groups we have talked about in class have a concept of Animism in their beliefs. Although most of the time in class we talk indirectly about animism, I think the topic is relevant to conversations about indigenous people groups and their identities.'''

Evaluate the article
The initial lead section of the article covers a lot of the base material needed to introduce a topic of this nature. Examples of this include elaborating on the definition of the word animism and how it applies to different indigenous people groups and tribes. Additionally, the lead section also covers the origins of the word "animist", and several non-tribal animists that might be known today, such as a sculptor, an author, and contemporary pagans. These points in the lead section help build up the beginning of the article and help lay a foundation for points to come. The lead is not overly detailed, however, it has enough information to make you interested in the article.

The overall content of the article is well-versed. There are several sub-categories that the author separates animism into, such as religious groups, and different studies it interacts with such as Science or Literature, and also elaborates on the ethical and Postmodern perspective of animism as well. The article covers several underrepresented groups as well in the text, including specific indigenous groups, and cultures.

In its entirety, the article seems neutral, although you could interpret some biases based on the length of some of the religions he covers. However, that could also be a lack of information, so I can not come to a firm conclusion without doing more research on these specific religions. However, multiple sources come from the late and mid-twentieth century, which made me suspicious that the information was accurate. After I investigated the sources, I found that most of the sources were still active, and although some of the older sources could be updated, all seemed to be well grounded in the facts.

The images of the article are well balanced and allow for the eye to flow through the page, but add depth to animism and the people who believe and practice it. As suspected, many of the talk entries talk about how there should be more elaboration on several of the religions, and one even specifically mentions how Christianity should be discussed more in the article in tandem with animism. Additionally, there is some debate on whether animism is considered a philosophy or if it is a religion, one of the editors of the article advocates for the latter. Another talking point that I think is relevant, but hard to touch on due to keeping a neutral tone, is criticism about animism.

I think the major issues of the article are updating outdated sources and further elaboration and expansion of sub-categories relating to animism. As the “talk” section demonstrates, many people find that the categories presented need further elaboration on, or need additional context in order to provide depth to the audience. However, the overall syntax and diction of the article are sufficient and allows one to flow from one topic to the next. If I had to put a label on the article I would say that the article is well-developed, but can still be broadened upon. Although the sources need updating, that is a quick fix once you find similar credited material.