User:Happyducks/Evaluate an Article

Which article are you evaluating?
Vellum

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
I chose this article due to important role in preserving history. Without vellum manuscripts, we would most likely not know many things about ancient civilizations. After learning about codexes and the different materials used to record history, it is interesting to learn more about the process and usage of vellum.

Evaluate the article
I think this article gives a good overview on vellum, but could be better with some reorganizing and editing.


 * The lead gives a good summary of the article without having too many details. However, it would help the reader understand the following content a bit better if some parts were switched.
 * For example, the sentence "It may be very hard to determine the animal species involved (let alone its age) without detailed scientific analysis." seems a bit out of place, especially as the analysis method is not mentioned later in the article.
 * The second sentence on the distinction between parchment and vellum could also be clarified with a "nowadays" or "in modern times" as the "Terminology" section goes on to reveal that this difference was not always used to distinguish vellum and parchment.
 * Lastly, the last sentence of the third paragraph of the lead can be edited. Currently, it reads that scratching the vellum with a pumice can create a "final look", which is a little confusing. This "final look" is also not elaborated in the "preparing manuscripts section".
 * In the "Manufacture" section, I think there needs to be a focus on word tense usage. For example, the second sentence states "[Vellum] is made from the skin of a young animal". However, in the section above, you write that " In the usage of modern practitioners of the artistic crafts of writing, illuminating, lettering, and bookbinding, "vellum" is normally reserved for calfskin, while any other skin is called "parchment"". Thus, the sentence should be in the past tense or have a few clarifying words that recognize the fact that this distinction of using the skin of a young animal is not used in contemporary art history circles. The sentence "The makers rubbed them with a round, flat object " can also use some clarifying on what "them" refers to.
 * The section on preparing manuscripts does not seem like a perfect fit for this article. The process of preparing focuses more on what a manuscript is rather than what vellum is. I suggest cutting down this section from a paragraph to a few sentences.
 * Since modern paper vellum is mentioned last in your lead paragraphs, I think the "Preservation" section should be moved up into the "Manufacture" section. This way, the organization of sections will follow the layout of your lead.
 * To enhance this article, it would be beneficial to add in a photo of paper vellum. This way, readers can compare between the two kinds of vellum.
 * One source (number 7) is a blog post on stationary etiquette which is debatable as to whether that is a reliable source of information. I would try and find a more reliable source to back up the information stated in the article. Other than that, I appreciate the many varied sources!