While journal article assignments are common across all academic disciplines, the approach to completing them in humanities courses — such as literature, history, philosophy, and cultural studies — requires a distinct set of skills. Unlike scientific writing, where results and data are the focus, humanities assignments emphasize argumentation, interpretation, and theoretical engagement. You’re expected not only to understand the article but also to situate it within broader debates, critique its rhetorical style, and respond with your own well-articulated perspective.
This blog will provide a comprehensive guide to completing journal article assignments in the humanities. From understanding the author’s thesis to critically engaging with theory, structuring your response, and maintaining a strong academic voice, we’ll explore every stage of the process — with actionable tips tailored specifically for humanities students.
1. Read with a Focus on Argument and Interpretation
In humanities articles, data tables and charts are rare. Instead, the focus is on ideas, themes, interpretations, and arguments. When reading, ask yourself:
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What is the central thesis or claim?
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How does the author support their claim (quotes, historical references, theory)?
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What theoretical lens is being used (Marxism, feminism, post-colonialism, etc.)?
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What is the article responding to (previous scholarship, a cultural trend, a philosophical tradition)?
🧠 Annotation tip: Underline thesis statements, highlight theoretical terms, and note when evidence from texts or history is introduced.
2. Identify the Author’s Theoretical Framework
Humanities articles often operate within a critical theory framework — e.g., feminism, structuralism, postmodernism, etc. Understanding this helps you:
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Contextualize the author’s interpretation
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Recognize biases or angles
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Craft a response using compatible or opposing theories
Example:
If an article analyzes Shakespeare through a feminist lens, note how it frames gender roles, power dynamics, and representation — then decide how effectively that theory was applied.
3. Take Detailed Notes by Section
Break the article into segments:
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Introduction – What problem or question is the article addressing?
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Literature Review – How does it position itself within existing work?
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Analysis – What is being analyzed and how?
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Conclusion – What final claims are made?
Summarize each section in your own words and jot down your reactions. Ask: Do I agree? Does this argument persuade me? What’s missing here?
4. Use a Flexible but Logical Structure
Humanities papers allow for creative structure — but they still need clarity. Here’s a general structure that works for most assignments:
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Introduction
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Introduce the article
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State your thesis or reaction
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Preview your argument
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Summary of the Article
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Identify the author’s main points and theoretical stance
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Describe how they build their case
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Critical Response / Analysis
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Evaluate the article’s effectiveness
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Use examples from the article (and possibly external sources)
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Reference literary or historical context if relevant
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Conclusion
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Reiterate your main analysis
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Suggest further questions or scholarly relevance
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💬 Note: You may include a reflection section if allowed, linking the article to personal or contemporary concerns.
5. Use Textual Evidence and Citation Properly
Humanities writing thrives on close reading and quotation analysis. When engaging with the article:
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Quote directly when analyzing the author’s language or rhetoric
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Paraphrase broader points
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Use MLA or Chicago style, depending on your course
Example (MLA):
According to Butler, “gender is not something one is, it is something one does” (521).
Then interpret or critique the quote. Don’t just insert it — unpack it.
6. Develop a Strong Thesis or Central Insight
Don’t just agree or disagree — present a thoughtful central argument that adds something new to the discussion.
Instead of:
❌ “The article was good and talked about feminism.”
Use:
✅ “While the article offers a nuanced feminist reading of Victorian literature, its limited engagement with class dynamics narrows its scope.”
Make sure every paragraph connects back to your thesis.
7. Engage with Broader Contexts
Humanities professors value contextual awareness. Situate the article within:
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A historical moment
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A literary canon
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A philosophical tradition
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A theoretical school
Example:
“The author’s reliance on Derrida aligns with the post-structuralist rejection of stable meaning, yet their reading surprisingly reinstates textual authority.”
🌍 Show you understand the intertextual conversation taking place.
8. Don’t Neglect Style and Voice
In humanities writing, your style and sentence rhythm matter as much as your content. Professors appreciate:
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Elegant sentence construction
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Varied vocabulary
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Precise tone (formal, not pompous or casual)
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Clear transitions between ideas
Read your work aloud to test its flow. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to catch awkward phrasing.
9. Avoid These Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Writing a book report-style summary | Focus on argument and theory |
| Ignoring historical/literary context | Do some background reading |
| Using vague statements (“This is interesting”) | Be specific — what, how, why |
| No clear argument | Craft a thesis and stick to it |
| Quoting without analysis | Always interpret what you quote |
10. Proofread and Format Carefully
Humanities professors notice formatting. Double-check:
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MLA or Chicago formatting
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Proper block quotations
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Italics for book/journal titles
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Page numbers for citations
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Indented, well-formatted paragraphs
📚 Use Purdue OWL or EasyBib to confirm formatting rules.
Humanities Writing as Intellectual Conversation
Completing journal article assignments in the humanities is not just a test of memory — it’s a chance to join an intellectual conversation that spans centuries. When you read an article by a philosopher, literary theorist, or historian, you’re stepping into an ongoing dialogue filled with nuance, interpretation, and reflection.
Your assignment isn’t just about what the article says. It’s about how you respond to it — how you interpret its claims, assess its logic, and connect it to other texts, contexts, and ideas. That’s what makes humanities writing both challenging and profoundly rewarding.
So as you approach your next journal article assignment, don’t aim to impress. Aim to contribute. Aim to think. Aim to express your understanding with precision, depth, and care. Because in the humanities, your voice matters — not just your summary skills.
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