Talk:Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry like Christmas/GA1

GA Review

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Overall, a strong article with easy to make fixes. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Sorry it's taken me so long to address this review. I'm in the middle of transitioning between jobs, so I've been crazy busy and have neglected all things Wikipedia. Thanks for your patience.

Criterion 1: well-written

To start off, the article is 19k. MoS recommends two paragraphs for a lead in such situations. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Done, expanded. --Christine (talk) 03:51, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Title

1. I believe the explanation for the title from Angelou should be presented first, with Lupton presented second. This would allow for a stronger explanation. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Ok, done. --Christine (talk) 03:54, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Plot summary

1. The grammar seems acceptable for the most part. You have block quoted three quotes with fall under 3/4 lines. They should be used as normal quotes per MoS. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

2. "it is marred by her guilt and regret" - the "it" is vague - does "it" refer to her life or to her success? It would seem that you would wish to imply "her life". Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

3. "Finally, after receiving bad news about Clyde's health," - The "finally" can be dropped here, as the "after" accomplishes the same rhetorical function. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Suggestions followed. #2: "It" refers to her success, but I can see how vague it is. I changed the phrase to "She is racked by her guilt and regret." --Christine (talk) 04:01, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Music

1. "Angelou uses some of the same techniques as jazz compositions to structure the book, most notably, her doubling of plot lines and use of opposition, which is similar to polyphonic rhythms in jazz music." The first half of this sentence is resaid in the second half. You could cut this down to - Angelou's doubling of plot lines and her use of opposition to structure the book is similar to polyphonic rhythms in jazz music." Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

2. "After Angelou's divorce," - this line could be moved to the paragraph just below as it seems to be more appropriate with the theme (you could bridge the two sentences by removing the period and replacing it with an ", and"). "

Suggestions followed, with slight tweaks to #2. I didn't think the two sentences needed to be bridged in this way, since they logically follow each other. If you disagree, please tell me why. --Christine (talk) 04:18, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Race

1. "Angelou continues her theme of racism " - You might want to change this to "race" or "on being discriminated against" (the latter might be more appropriate to the sentence). Otherwise, it might look like she is the racist. :) Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Thought about this for a minute, since the theme of "racism" is so important in Angelou's books, especially Caged Bird. Then I acquiesced, because I could see your point about the need for clarity in this sentence.

2. ""Conditioned - You have two sets of quotes, an easy fix. Ottava Rima (talk)

3. "Angelou is placed" - You might want to say "In the autobiography" or something similar to establish the past and not the later Angelou. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Fixed last 2 points. --Christine (talk) 04:27, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Criterion 2: factually accurate and verifiable

I do not have access to the sources, so I must AGF. Heavy use of quoting makes me think that sources are used appropriately and truthfully. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

1. Minor things involve having back to back citations that could be condensed (Lupton, p. 111 and Lupton, p. 112 can be Lupton pp. 111–112 and put in the second position only). Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

I've learned that this depends upon the reviewer. Other reviewers would want me to keep the "back to back citations", since they're quoting different pages. I bow to your input, OR, since you're reviewing it. I'm fine with it either way, really I am. Maybe someday I'll revert the refs to the new way (which I like so much better!), when I'm feeling more anal than I do at this moment. --Christine (talk) 04:41, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

2. I would like a citation for "Angelou changes the verbs in her title to parallel the black vernacular". Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Done, thanks for catching this oversight.

3. The lack of citations in "plot summary" are acceptable since it is announced that they are from the book (or can be assumed via the section title). Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Does this mean that you want me to remove the inline citations? 'Cause I will, but only if you want it! --Christine (talk) 04:45, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Criterion 3: broad in its coverage

While it could use many other sources, it appears to be broad.

Criterion 4: neutral

From what I can tell, the coverage is neutral.

Criterion 5: stable

There are no edit wars or controversies about the material presented. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Criterion 6: illustrated, if possible, by images

There are three images. The book cover has a non-free rationale which seems to check out. The street image appears to have a strong free use license. The third image I believe checks out as free use. Ottava Rima (talk) 18:13, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

I wish that I could've found more, but there wasn't anything that stuck. I think it's adequate, though, with its length and GA-ness. I don't think this article has the potential of being anything higher, anyway, and that's fine. There just isn't the kind of scholarship for this book like there are for Caged Bird, at least not at the current time. My long-term WP-goal is for all of Dr. Angelou's autobiographies to have an article rated at least GA, and a FA for a couple. Caged Bird's already there of course; eventually, I'd like to see her bio page eventually become an FA, but that's way in the future, after the content that will be filled in by its main editor (which would be me!). I need to read all of her autobiographies first. Just finished the fourth, The Heart of a Woman, so it's moving along. --Christine (talk) 04:53, 29 September 2009 (UTC)