Article Comparison Essay
The author has used the application of paragraphs in the two articles differently. In article B, the use of paragraphs does not have indentation. The paragraphs are separated by double spaces. The first article A, all paragraphs are indented. Paragraphs in the second article are composed of as little as one sentence. In writing formal work, a paragraph consists of a minimum of three to four sentences. Paragraphs need to be detailed in explaining the main idea presented in the topic sentence of the paragraph. In the first article, the paragraphs are more detailed and present more information on the idea presented in the topic sentences of the paragraphs. According to Lehman and DuFrene (2011), the paragraphs should consist of short sentences that are easy to read and understand.
The first article is written in a manner to reach a wider audience that consists of learned scholars. For the second article, the manner of writing suggests or indicates that the audience is less and more specific. This article is inclined towards lectures of law in the different universities and more closely related to studying undergraduate law. Additionally, the first article is more official than the second one.
Differences can also be noted on the arrangement or organization of the paragraphs and information. In the first article, there is a presentation of a table of contents in the first page. The article is subdivided into several parts. For instance, it has an introduction, the main body that is subdivided into several areas of concern and a conclusion. Further, page numbers are indicated in case of looking for specific information. The table of contents or the outline gives a clue as to what the article may contain. In the second article, there is no table of contents or an outline. However, the abstract provides a brief summary of what the whole article will discuss. In the second article, all headings and sub-headings are in bold. The main headings are centered while the subheadings are italicized and not centered. The second article provides a discussion section of the issues written in the article but does not have a conclusion section.
The organization of the references also is different. The first article references for each page is at the footnotes section. In the second article, all the references are listed at the closing stages of the last page after the conclusion. In-text citation for the first article is done using the Chicago/ Turabian format, evident by the presence of numbers at the end of sentences. For the second article, in-text citation follows an APA format. For instance, (Fagan-Wilen, Springer, Ambrosino, and White, 2006). The use of footnotes provides additional information that may not be included in the article.
The first article has more legal words employed in discussing the issue of tax, which implies that it has more importance to the intended audience. Lawyers would find it easier to understand this article than undergraduate students studying law would understand. Further, the first article discuses tax liability as an aspect of law while the second article discusses effective ways that can be employed in teaching law, in general, to undergraduate students. The use of different formatting styles also indicates the different target audience. For instance, using the Chicago formatting style indicates it to be published for people working in law firms and not academic institutions. On the other hand, the use APA style indicates that it is oriented to an academic institution.
Comparison
Both articles employ the use of prose to relay their messages. This indicates the use of formal writing normally evident in academic papers and publications. Thus, both papers have an academic purpose. The articles are targeting an audience that has a background in different aspects about law.
The articles are also similar in that the author has used external material to support his arguments. The references used are adequate to indicate that both papers are written professionally and can be published.
Analysis of the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Articles
The approach used in the first article in incorporating a table of contents has its advantages. Individual readers prefer to skim a document to see if there is any significant information they can use or extract. This allows them to spend less time in obtaining the required information. Davis (2002) adds that a document that has a table of contents makes a good impression and makes it easier for the different readers to engage in a discussion of the information presented in the document. For the second article, the writing of the headers in bold and centering the main headings makes it easier to identify clearly the topics that are covered if one is skimming through the whole document at once. The use of the abstract explains the purpose of the research article and the findings that were achieved in the study.
A disadvantage with the first article on tax law is the form of formatting of the headings and sub-headings. The lack of bolding makes it difficult for one to skim through the article quickly. Additionally, it would be of much benefit to the reader if the author could provide a complete reference list at the end of the article. This is because the footnotes section does not provide additional information that may not be included in the article. It would also make more sense, since both articles discuss issues about law to adopt one formatting style rather than mix them up.
Language used in the articles should also take into account other professions. For instance, the article on effective teaching methods can be employed in other undergraduate disciplines. Businesspersons’ who are affected by tax issues every day can also use information regarding tax liability. Readers tend to ignore material they find difficult to understand. It becomes important for the author to ensure that information will not be difficult for the reader. The article on effective teaching methods could also include an introduction title after the abstract to engage the reader on the arrangement of ideas in the article. The header part of the effective teaching article would be more appropriate if the title article was used instead of that of the author to provide a more formal appeal.
References
Davis, J. (2002). Teach Word users the six benefits of a table of contents |
TechRepublic. TechRepublic - A Resource for IT Professionals. Retrieved February 4, 2013, from http://www.techrepublic.com/article/teach-word-users-the-six-benefits-of-a-table-of-contents/1052207
Lehman, C. M., & DuFrene, D. D. (2011). Business communication (16th ed.). Mason, OH:
South-Western Cengage Learning.
Ryesky, K. (2009). Honorary Board Membership, Real Tax Liability: Limits to Tax-Exempt
Organization Honorary Board Member Immunity Under Internal Revenue Code & 6672, 24 AKRON TAX J.93 Retrieved fro http://www.uakron.edu/law/lawreview/taxjournal/atj24/docs/Ryesky.pdf.
Ryesky, K.H. (2007). On solid legal ground: "Bringing information literacy to undergraduate
level law courses, journal of Effective Teaching, 7(2), 21-35. Retrieved from http://www.uncw.edu/cte/et/articles/Vol7_2/Ryesky.pdf.
