User:Uilleam1/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
Celtic Harp:
 * Article Evaluation: I think the article is pretty well written except for a few spots. I feel as though there should be more information in the topic sentence, or just at least make it longer. While the other is a bit more serious and could be an easy edit. In the section on "Playing Techniques" the whole section could be removed, because there are no in-text citations. Alternatively, references can be added to claims like "It was said that a player should begin to learn the harp no later than the age of seven." or "The playing of the wire-strung harp has been described as extremely difficult." Another edit that could be made in the section on "Early History" comes from "Warriors of the Word" by Michael Newton. Newton mentions that "Based on surviving evidence, the clàrsach seems to have originated among the Picts..." (Newton, p. 256) This could be added because Newton is an authority/expert source, and it could be written in such a way that an expert is the one deductive reasoning. Again, this key piece of information because this paragraph would become clearer. This is because the article simply relies on the reader to deduce that based on the fact that the pics can be cited as the first source of depictions of the clàrsach. They do this by the use of facsimiles of dates, and adding a one-liner to make that connection would improve continuity. Another easy addition within the "Characteristics and Function" section would pertain to the stringing of the clàrsach. In the same book, on the same, page aforementioned, Newton mentions the use of metal strings in the 1500s the strings in Scotland were of brass not gut; like what was used on other European harps. The article goes into detail on the metal strings used, but not on the history of gut strings at all. As far as I can tell, by Newton's words, there's even the possibility that they were used in Scotland prior to the 1500s; this could be further researched too. Or otherwise their use in the rest of European harp-like instruments, which is important as it eludes to Scotland being the first to have strung harps this way.
 * Sources: "Warriors of the Word" - Michael Newton. :
 * Sources: "Warriors of the Word" - Michael Newton. :

Option 2

 * Cape Breton Fiddling.: :
 * Article Evaluation: I think the Article is rather short and sparse in details and citations. Even simple additions like more pictures of fiddling in Cape Breton, or the dates Scottish immigrants came over would help. It's hard to add to this article without adding too much that's already available on other Wikipedia articles however, it's still possible. Another major addition or subtraction that can be made would have to be the inclusion of "Although fiddling has changed considerably since this time in Scotland, it is widely held that the tradition of Scottish fiddle music has been better preserved in Cape Breton." This doesn't have any kind of indication as to who says that, let alone, why. This needs to be removed or several sources added to back up why this is. Another major factor, that even Owen mentioned in class is the different play styles that exist between Cape Breton Fiddling and Scottish Fiddling. There is a line that summarizes my immediate previous sentence, but there is no explanation as to why, or any sources. I'm not sure if a source as to why would be needed as it is common sense, but also a fact of cultures, all aspects of culture change over time and separation. in contrast, a source is needed to illiterate that, that is indeed what fiddlers/experts notice. :
 * Sources: University of Washington's Canadian Studies Centre.
 * https://jsis.washington.edu/canada/music-collection/cape-brenton-music/#:~:text=While%20the%20fiddle%20playing%20of,can%20be%20heard%20in%20rhythm.

Option 3

 * Gaelic psalm singing: :
 * Article Evaluation: I really think the introduction is way too short; It's only a sentence or two and is not well written. A few additions could be included to the "Structure and Style section". This section has an etymology of what psalm singing is but doesn't include a very key term, the term being choral refrain. The article uses various other off-handed terms to describe what is most often called thus. Another point to add to this section, or to the end of the "History" section is that hymns are sung this way too. Even though the articles allude to this being done in black churches, even go into detail on how it may have been taught by Gaelic slave owners of the Carolinas, and the controversy that scholars have over the subject. The article never mentioned how psalm singing is done in black churches. Or even how it was done in Scotland, then one could even possibly add why it was done. :
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Option 4

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Option 5

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