User:Guinevereramsey/Choose an Article

Article Selection
Please list articles that you're considering for your Wikipedia assignment below. Begin to critique these articles and find relevant sources.

Option 1

 * Mainstream Media
 * Article Evaluation
 * The lead of this article is incredibly short, merely providing a definition, and does not implement a summary of the article. Further, the citation for this definition is from a Magazine Article by Noam Chomsky which although may be backed by expertise, is essentially a personal definition rather than one that has general consensus within the field of study. Not only this, that magazine article was written in 1997 which may mean it is not as representative of mainstream media in the present day where media has become more complex. Since Mainstream Media is used in discussion with a multitude of topics, it may be beneficial to have a section for varying definitions to provide readers with a more nuanced understanding of its use.
 * The United Kingdom section of the article does not provide a significant connection mainstream media and reads more of a short history of the BBC. Further, the article lacks a worldwide perspective overall. I think that it may be more useful to start with a history of mainstream media (how it has evolved over time), to understand why many of the conversations around mainstream media are centred in the United States. Then the article can go into more depth about mainstream media in other countries.
 * I think this article also lacks in applying Mainstream media. For example, it could discuss the representations of events, critiques of representation, and formation of mainstream viewpoint considering the definition that is used specifically refers to the ability of mainstream media shape currents of thought.
 * The section 'American public distrust in the media' is extremely short, and as a result the claim feels very one-sided and lacks context. I would suggest more depth in this section to offer a better understanding of how that distrust connects to mainstream media'. The claim in this section mentions political parties, I think it would be important to then also include the connection and history between mainstream media and the political sphere.
 * Overall, this article needs to have more context added to give the reader a better understanding of the term of mainstream media and what is represents as a concept.
 * Sources
 * The section 'American public distrust in the media' is extremely short, and as a result the claim feels very one-sided and lacks context. I would suggest more depth in this section to offer a better understanding of how that distrust connects to mainstream media'. The claim in this section mentions political parties, I think it would be important to then also include the connection and history between mainstream media and the political sphere.
 * Overall, this article needs to have more context added to give the reader a better understanding of the term of mainstream media and what is represents as a concept.
 * Sources
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Option 2

 * Queer Coding
 * Article Evaluation
 * This article has a good foundation of information. However, it lacks detail in a variety of sections such as the Villains subheading, in which the list of queer-coded characters are entirely animated. This does not reflect the historical use of other tropes, archetypes and stock characters to code queer characters outside of Disney animated films. Additionally, the article lacks information about queer-coding through themes (rather than only characters) which could be helpful in neutralizing the viewpoint of queer-coding in this article as it mostly reflects on the negative aspects (specifically queer-coded villains).
 * I think this article could be expanded upon by discussing the commercialization of queer representation in media and how that has impacted the transition from queer-coding into queer-baiting (and the overall overlap of these subjects) and how the history of queer-coding is a distinguishing factor. as well as including information about queer-reading and lens, that makes queer-coding in media possible in the first place.
 * Additionally, the article lacks appropriate citations, it is in need of academic peer-reviewed information to solidify the claims within it.
 * The 'See Also' section is lacking in connected wikipedia articles that could help readers develop a more well-rounded understanding of the impact and placement of queer-coding in media. For example, 'queering' would be a significant contribution in understanding the construction and reception of queer-coding (as the history of queer-coding suggests that it was possible because it was developed in subtext and therefore only readers looking into that subtext would be able to make the connection). I think it would also be beneficial to look into and add a section about the reception of queer-coding, as that plays a role in its impact and significance to queer culture and media.
 * Sources
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Option 3

 * Fandom
 * Article Evaluation
 * I think this article does a decent job at outlining what a fandom is and what activities constitute a fandom. However, the article lacks in information about the formation of community in fandom which it refers to in the lead but fails to address in depth in the article. In terms of neutrality, the majority of the article reads as description rather than opinion, however it seems to overrepresent the benefits of fandom. There is a specific subheading about the negative potential of fandoms, but it is only one sentence long and fails to develop on the claim in makes in that sentence. I think expanding on that would offer more understanding around the positive and negative duality of fandom.
 * The lead section needs to include a citation as the entire first paragraph is not attributed. It needs attributions for both the definition it provides and the characteristics it explains as being common in fandom culture. In addition, the organized sub-culture section seems includes a number of verifiable and reliable sources. However, other sections of the article have many citations that lead to organizational websites. It would be important to ensure that information on these websites is also coming from reliable sources.
 * I think this article fails to capture the relationship between fandom and identity as well as fandom and underrepresented groups. I would suggest creating a section to discuss these connections through a research-based cultural lens. Further, the in film and book sections are lacking significantly in content. It does not represent the significance of these mediums to fandom, but rather includes a couple of examples each of discussion about fandom in each. I think it would be useful to also connect how fandoms use these mediums as well.
 * Sources
 * I think this article fails to capture the relationship between fandom and identity as well as fandom and underrepresented groups. I would suggest creating a section to discuss these connections through a research-based cultural lens. Further, the in film and book sections are lacking significantly in content. It does not represent the significance of these mediums to fandom, but rather includes a couple of examples each of discussion about fandom in each. I think it would be useful to also connect how fandoms use these mediums as well.
 * Sources
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