Lauren LeBarre

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The following is an analysis of Old English Pages, a website compiled by Cathy Ball.  The website [can be located=>is located/can be found] at http://www.georgetown.edu/cball/oe/old_english.html .  The conclusions I derived concerning this particular website, deal with its authority, direct purpose, usefulness, appearance and organization.

After observing a few key factors, it is obvious the materials on this particular website [rephrase=>contain authority].  The author’s credentials are clearly [word choice=>typed] on the bottom left hand corner of the home page.  Cathy Ball, the author, is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University in Washington[comma] DC.  Also, one can observe that her position in the Department of Linguistics, at the University, would give her a certain authority on the topic she has chosen.  The date, the webpage was last updated, [why are you foregrounding this?=>is typed] clearly on the bottom right hand corner of the homepage.  [rework=>Also adding to its authority is its documentation.]  It is carefully and consistently documented throughout the website.  Finally, it [possesses=>displays?] a Seal of Approval from Argus Clearinghouse and the [Seals=>seals (though “icons” or “graphics” or even “endorsements” might be more apt)]: Reviewed by Magellan, DC City Pages Community Link, Net User 5 Star Award, Epicurus the Best 500 Award, Links 2 Go Medieval and Planet Rider Best Travel Site.

 The purpose of this web page is to inform by providing reliable links for the researcher, whether they are a student or [professional person<=Isn’t this overly generic?].  It is an educational site and therefore doesn’t possess annoying advertisements that draw one’s focus from their research.  It appears to be a page devoted primarily to providing links to medieval texts, translations, manuscript images and linguistic information.  [<=You need to limit this to “Old English texts, in the original and in translation, images of Old English manuscripts, and Old English linguistics.”)

Though this particular webpage deals primarily with medieval texts, one may most certainly find it useful in other areas of medieval interest. [In assisting=>To assist] the researcher in understanding the context in which text was formulated, it provides some links to pages that deal with medieval history, art, coinage and language.  They not only prove interesting in light of medieval text, but are extremely useful in and of themselves. If what has been mentioned thus far doesn’t meet ones needs, take note that the website also offers a forum for composition in Old English, links to Old English text readings,  [single space]links to shops that specialize in Old English recordings and links to online reference materials, to name a few.

The appearance and organization of the website add to its quality.  As far as appearance is concerned, the white background used throughout the website makes it clear and easy to read.  The font chosen to present the material is also reader friendly.  Organizationally, the links to pages within and without the website are direct and concise, making it clear to the researcher what they will observe in a timely manner.  Terms are defined as needed and items are placed on the pages in an orderly fashion.

In conclusion, one can say The Old English Pages is an authoritative website that would prove itself most useful to the researcher of medieval texts and linguistics, but would also be helpful in other facets of medieval studies.