Objectives:
This assignment addresses three of the core competencies of Discover New York: 1) information literacy, 2) critical thinking, and 3) writing.

Description: You will critically analyze a Wikipedia article related to the course subject matter, with the overall question in mind: is the article appropriate for college-level research? (There is no “correct” answer to this question. You could make a case either way for many Wikipedia articles.)

Before beginning your critique, start with the comparison reading on the same topic, which will be posted in eReserves. Read the comparison text slowly and carefully.

Next, read the Wikipedia article, slowly and carefully. Be alert to differences between the two sources. (You may find it easiest to print out the two sources to highlight and make notes. Whatever you do, make a careful comparison of the two sources.)

When you have read the two sources, think about the following questions:
How does the content of the Wikipedia article compare with the other reading? Any factual errors? Anything missing? What could you add to the Wikipedia article to improve it?
Who is the author of the comparison reading? What can you find out about the author? What can you find out about the Wikipedia authors? (Check the “history” tab for information on contributors, choosing those who have contributed the most to the article.)
Are there adequate footnotes and references in the Wikipedia article? What types of sources are cited? Popular or scholarly? (Scholarly sources are usually written by experts in the field, and are published in peer-reviewed journals or by university presses.) How do the Wikipedia article’s sources compare with those found in the comparison text?
Are there any points of contention related to the article, and have these been resolved? (Check the article “Talk” page, making note of the dates of dispute.)
Is the Wikipedia article well-organized? How does its organization compare with the other reading?
Other problems or issues that occur to you…

Write a review of the Wikipedia article, based on the above questions. Your essay should be roughly 1000-1200 words.

Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire

Comparison Text:
https://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu