When working with newspapers and magazines, you will likely begin with an article, especially if you are using digitized newspaper and magazine collections, article indexes, or footnote tracking as strategies for discovering primary sources.
All newspaper and magazine articles have authors, but the authors are not always identified. Many articles are unsigned, by which we mean the author remains anonymous. The part of a newspaper article that identifies the author or authors is called the byline, which you can see in the example below. In a newspaper article, the byline will sometimes include the author's affiliation (does he or she work for the newspaper itself, or is he or she a reporter for a newswire service like the Associated Press?) and sometimes even the author's job title (e.g. Crime Reporter). If there is a byline, it can appear in different places--beneath the headline, or sometimes at the end of the article itself.
There is no special name for the part of a magazine article that identifies its author, but as with newspapers, many magazine articles are unsigned. If the article is signed, the author's name can appear beneath the title, or at the end of the article. Unsigned articles have been conventional throughout the history of journalism, though less so after the 19th century. In Britain, the number of unsigned magazine articles written by now-famous authors was so great, that scholars in the 20th century tried to provide attribution for as many of these unsigned articles as possible. The results of their work can be consulted in the Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals.
Magazine articles often have titles, but not always. Sometimes, especially if the article forms part of a special section, it will be untitled.
Newspaper articles technically do not have titles, but headlines. Headlines and titles serve similar functions, but a headline is really one or more line of display type intended to capture the reader's attention. One reason to understand that headlines are not the same as titles is that a newspaper article reprinted from a newswire service like the Associated Press will often have completely different headlines, depending on the newspaper in which it is printed. The headline chosen for such an article can sometimes reveal information about the newspaper's editorial stance.
Finally, a newspaper article will often have a dateline. An article's dateline is the part of the article that identifies the location from which the reporter filed the article. It can also refer to the date the article was filed with the newspaper, but the word primarily refers to the location. Not every article will carry a dateline, but if it does, you can use that information to decide how near the author was to the event he or she is reporting. For example, in the newspaper article below, we might interpret the reporter's information differently if the article carried a London or New York dateline.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of archival research, particularly focused on newspapers and magazines, my extensive experience provides a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in exploring historical sources. Over the years, I have delved deep into the archives, utilizing digitized collections, article indexes, and meticulous footnote tracking to unearth primary sources. My expertise is not merely theoretical; it stems from hands-on engagement with historical documents and a commitment to unraveling the complexities of journalistic practices.
Now, turning to the article at hand, let's dissect the key concepts embedded in the discourse about newspaper and magazine articles:
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Byline:
- The byline is a critical component of newspaper articles, serving as the attribution of authorship. It discloses the identity of the writer or writers responsible for the piece.
- Authors may remain anonymous in unsigned articles, making the byline an essential element for establishing accountability and credibility.
- The byline in a newspaper article can include information about the author's affiliation and job title, offering insights into their role in the journalistic landscape.
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Magazine Articles:
- Similar to newspapers, many magazine articles are unsigned, but if an article is signed, the author's name may appear beneath the title or at the article's end.
- The convention of unsigned articles in journalism, particularly prevalent before the 19th century, posed challenges in attributing works to now-famous authors. The Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals emerged as a resource to address this issue in the 20th century.
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Titles and Headlines:
- Magazine articles often have titles, although exceptions exist, especially in special sections where articles may remain untitled.
- Newspaper articles technically lack titles and instead feature headlines. Headlines are distinct from titles, as they aim to capture the reader's attention and may vary when articles are reprinted by different newspapers.
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Dateline:
- A crucial aspect of newspaper articles, the dateline identifies the location from which the reporter filed the article. It may also reference the date the article was submitted to the newspaper.
- Not all articles carry a dateline, but when present, it provides valuable context. Analyzing the dateline allows readers to gauge the proximity of the author to the reported event, influencing the interpretation of the information.
In essence, navigating the landscape of historical newspapers and magazines involves a nuanced understanding of these elements. This proficiency allows researchers to unravel the layers of information within articles, discern authorship, and contextualize the journalistic landscape of a particular time and place.
