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Popular Press Publications
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Academic/Scholarly Publications
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General population
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Spirituality and Religious Nonfiction
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Reference Materials
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Books
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Journal Articles
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Appearance
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- Colorful, eye-catching graphics on cover
- Chapters may be organized into lessons
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- Colorful, eye-catching graphics on cover
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- May or may not have an eye-catching cover
- Very large, multivolume texts
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- May or may not have an eye-catching cover
- Contains a detailed bibliography and notes throughout the text
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- Likely contains no graphics (except for illustrative content)
- Abstract, bibliography and notes throughout the text
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Audience
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- General public; believers of the faith
- Often targeted at specific groups (women, mothers, young adults, men)
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- General public; believers of the faith
- May target people enduring particular life battles (sickness, loss, addiction)
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- Academics, researchers, scholars, college students
- Believers and nonbelievers
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- Academics, researchers, scholars, college students
- Believers and nonbelievers
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- Academics, researchers, scholars, college students
- Believers and nonbelievers
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Content and Purpose
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- Easy-to-understand guide to reading and understanding the religious texts
- Some contain short lessons/sessions
- Some contain activities and reflective questions
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- Self-help material; spiritual guidance and comfort
- Some may analyze the text or the meaning of particular passages
- Written to entertain and inform
- Presents perspective and analysis based on faith, rather than research
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- Commentary: contains analyses of biblical scripture
- Bible Dictionary: contains definition and location of word in all passages of the Bible
- Encyclopedia: provides background information
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- Analysis of a religious text, a particular religious figure, a particular religious practice, etc.
- Historical or general coverage
- Presents analysis based on research, rather than faith
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- Very narrow analysis of a religious figure, practice, behavior, etc.
- Presents analysis based on research, rather than faith
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Author
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- Religious writers, practitioners of the faith
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- Often written by people who hold positions of authority in a religious denomination (pastors, monks, rabbis, priests, nuns)
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- Academics, researchers, scholars.
- Editor with contributing authors
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- Academics, researchers, scholars
- Published by university presses, Wiley, Routledge, W.W. Norton & Co., Sage
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- Academics, researchers, scholars
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Example
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- The Father’s Plan: A Bible Study for Dads
- Becoming a Woman whose God is Enough
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