Here is a quick checklist of criteria to help you determine if a resource is from a Substantiative News source:
SUBSTANTIVE NEWS & ANALYSIS OR GENERAL INTEREST MAGAZINES
These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance, although some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs. News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, though more often do not. Articles may be written by a member of the editorial staff, a scholar or a free-lance writer.
The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience. There is no specialty assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence. They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some emanate from specific professional organizations. The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide information, in a general manner, to a broad audience of concerned citizens.
EXAMPLES OF SUBSTANTIVE NEWS OR GENERAL INTEREST PERIODICALS:
| Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Economist | National Geographic | New York Times |
| Scientific American | Atlantic Monthly |
| The Nation | The National Review |
