English 12 Scholarly Research Article Review
Many of you will be required to cite scholarly journal articles for research at some point in the
future. Scholarly articles have more original thought, complexity, validity and sources than
popular or trade publications. Scholarly journals can be accessed in print at a library such at
KSU or on a database such as EBSCO Host. This assignment is meant to familiarize you with
the search process and to prepare you for the advanced complexity of the text.
Step 1: Use Infohio and EBSCO Host to find and print a scholarly article that focuses on
dystopian literature. The article should be 2-5 pages in length. Look it over before you print it
to make sure it is on topic and of interest.
Step 2: Read the introduction and find out the author’s main point or argument. Underline the
thesis. Then read the remainder of the article carefully highlighting clear evidence to support
the thesis.
Step 3: Type your review to include the following information:
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MLA heading, numbered pages
Title and author of article
1 paragraph summary of entire article
Quoted sentence that is the thesis or main argument
o Quoted support for thesis
 Your opinion
o A brief explanation of your view of the article’s main ideas
o 1 short paragraph analyzing the readability of the article
 Is it easy to follow? Give examples of why or why not.
 Are there photos, diagrams, or graphs?
 How does the organization enhance readability?
 Explain how the vocabulary makes the article more or less
understandable?
o Analyze the tone: What diction and syntax create the tone
o Using ACRABS analyze the credibility of the source.
 MLA entry for article
 Attach the printed and highlighted article
Goals:
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establish the purpose of conducting scholarly research
distinguish between a google search and scholarly research (even google scholar)
share the types of scholarly searches need for college courses
share specific college assignments
how to conduct the search
data bases, journals etc.
full text vs abstract
What is available to our HS students?
What to look for in the article/how to read the article
MLA citation