ENCYCLOPEDIC ARTICLE: CHARACTERISTICS, STRUCTURE AND EXAMPLE - LITERATURE - 2025

An encyclopedic article is a text that follows the traditional format used in encyclopedias. These articles have the particularity of dealing concisely with individual topics in an autonomous way. Its function is to provide an overview of the selected topic to inform a wide range of readers.

In this sense, the encyclopedic article differs from other academic texts by its "popularization". Academic articles are written for researchers, scientists, and students in the subject area. Instead, encyclopedics are intended for the general public. These serve to make a first approach to a topic.

These summaries or compendia of existing studies have a long tradition of about 2000 years. The word encyclopedia is derived from the Greek enkyklios paideia which translates general education. Originally, it referred to a complete learning circle or system, that is, a comprehensive education.

Today, the encyclopedic article is very popular in the world of virtual networks. Electronic encyclopedias are more interactive, accessible, and interesting.

The texts are not accompanied by images, animations, videos and music. In addition, they offer advanced search options and links to the Internet.

Characteristics of an encyclopedic article

Descriptive

The encyclopedic article is descriptive. The information contained in them is longer and more detailed than what can be found in most dictionaries.

Unlike these, which focus on language and words, the focus of this type of text is the description and explanation of the concepts or facts to which they refer.

Exact

Generally, the encyclopedic article is the product of people with expertise and experience in the subject matter. In many cases, expert scholars work together to research and organize error-free encyclopedias. Its objective to be achieved is objectivity and neutrality in all topics.

Likewise, these articles have a high reliability when compared with other sources of information. The reason for this is that they are subject to ongoing evaluation. Among the tools used to evaluate them are statistics, periodic reviews and editing.

Simple

The encyclopedic article is frequently used as a reference source. Therefore, your style and your organization must allow an efficient search.

If they are very extensive, it is very common for the information to be divided into several sections. The author must ensure that the reader finds the desired knowledge quickly and easily.

Also, the language used in these articles is simple. This includes both vocabulary and sentence structure. The use of a simple vocabulary also implies the use of precise definitions.

Varied

The information presented in an encyclopedic article can be of various kinds. The type and breadth of the material can also vary. In the same way, the range of the audience to which it is directed is usually quite wide. The articles are written for users of different educational backgrounds

In addition, each text explores a topic in depth and is often accompanied by illustrations, maps, graphs and photographs. This makes acquiring knowledge easier and more enjoyable.

When it comes to format, encyclopedias are no longer limited to book form. They are currently available on CD-ROM and are fully available online.

Structure

Depending on various factors, the structure of an encyclopedic article can vary. Among the factors that affect, we can mention the length of the text, the target audience, the presentation format and others. Some of its most common elements are described below.

Table of Contents

Many encyclopedic articles, especially those of considerable length, begin with a thematic outline. This outline highlights the important subtopics that will be covered in the text. It is intended as an overview and therefore lists only the main titles.

Glossary

When they are very specialized, this type of text usually has a glossary. This section contains terms that are important to understanding the article and are unfamiliar to the reader.

Introductory paragraph

The text of each encyclopedic article begins with an introductory paragraph. In some cases, up to two paragraphs are used to define the topic under discussion and summarize the content of the article.

Development

The development must be kept within a limited number of words, therefore it must be concise. Some of these articles contain quotes and notes to substantiate the facts.

Explanations should be simple, avoiding technical jargon. In addition, the organization of the text and its presentation must be adapted to the topic.

Cross-references

Encyclopedic articles are customary to have references that direct the reader to other articles. These cross references generally appear at the end of the text.

Its function is to indicate articles that can be consulted for more information on the same topic or for other information on a related topic.

Reference sources and bibliography

The references or bibliography section appears as the last item in an article. It is a list of the materials consulted by the author when preparing the text.

This may be accompanied by recommendations from the author of the most appropriate materials for further reading on the given topic.

Example

Bidlack Treaty

The Bidlack Treaty, or Treaty of New Granada, (December 12, 1846), a pact signed by Nueva Granada (present-day Colombia and Panama) and the United States, which granted the United States a right of passage through the Isthmus of Panama in exchange for an American guarantee of neutrality for the isthmus and the sovereignty of New Granada.

The treaty is named after the United States charge d'affaires in New Granada, Benjamin Alden Bidlack. The threat of British intrusion on the Central American coast had demonstrated the need for such a pact.

After gold was discovered in California in 1848, an American company began building a trans-isthmian railroad, which was completed in 1855.

Since then, US influence in the region has increased because the Colombian government often asked the United States not to close the isthmus route during civil wars.

In 1902, the US Congress authorized the president to spend $ 40,000,000 to obtain the rights held by the French Co. to the Panama Canal to build a canal. The act stipulated that Colombia would grant a strip of territory across the isthmus "within a reasonable time."

In the event that Colombia refused to make such a concession, the president was allowed to negotiate with Nicaragua a right of passage through its territory. Consequently, President Roosevelt purchased the rights to the French company, and in 1903 the Hay-Herran Treaty was concluded between the United States and Colombia.

The Colombian Senate, however, withheld ratification to ensure better terms. Then, the US government designed the secession of Panama from Colombia and later reached an agreement (Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty) with the new Republic of Panama, whereby Panama became a US protectorate..

And the US government obtained exclusive control of the Panama Canal Zone and permission to build a canal. See also Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty. (Encyclopedic article appeared in Encyclopædia Britannica, 2018)

References

1. Kent, A.; Lancour, H. and Daily, JE (1980). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 29. New York: Stanford University Libraries to System Analysis.
2. Preece, WE and Collison, RL (2016, September 08). Encyclopaedia. Taken from britannica.com.
3. Pang, A, (1998). The work of encyclopedia in the age of electronic reproduction. On First Monday. Vol. 3, No. 9. Taken from firstmonday.org.
4. Coconi, A. (2017, June 13). The Advantages of Encyclopedias. Taken from penandthepad.com.
5. Battistella, EL (2017, November 14). How to write for an encyclopedia or other reference work. Taken from blog.oup.com.