Information Literacy Skills > Newspapers and Journals

Newspapers

A newspaper is a publication, usually appearing daily or weekly, containing news, editorials, feature articles, advertisements and correspondence. Newspapers are an important source of current information. Back copies of newspapers give information on events and attitudes from the past.

Let's unpick that a little further. Think of any newspaper with which you are familiar, or look at a daily newspaper in your library. What sort of information does it contain?

Newspapers generally contain:

• news stories - local, national, and/or international on a range of issues including politics, education, leisure, business, and sports.
• features - the arts, fashion, health, cars etc
• comments / opinions - letters, editorial
• entertainments listings - TV, radio, cinemas, theatres, venues
• crosswords, sudokus, other puzzles and quizzes
• weather forecasts
• advertisements
• display advertisements from retailers, events organisers etc
• classified advertisements - small advertisements, often from individuals looking to sell or buy items
• job advertisements (Often only on certain days of the week and perhaps in a special section.)
• houses for sale or rent (Again usually on a certain day and in a special section)
• announcements of births, deaths and marriages

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