Clip articles refers to the practice of cutting out articles from a paper publication, such as a newspaper or a magazine. The resulting pieces of text are commonly called clippings.
Understanding Article Clipping
The core of clipping articles is a physical act: taking scissors or another cutting tool and removing specific pieces of content from a printed source. This practice has been common for many years, especially before the widespread availability of digital media.
Sources of Clippings
Articles can be clipped from various printed materials. The most common sources include:
- Newspapers (daily, weekly, etc.)
- Magazines (spanning various topics like news, hobbies, professional fields)
- Other paper publications or printed documents
Purposes of Clipping Articles
People clip articles for a variety of reasons, primarily centered around collecting, saving, or utilizing specific information found in print. As highlighted in the reference, clippings are commonly used for:
- Personal Reference: Saving articles that contain information you might want to look back at later, such as recipes, how-to guides, contact information, or interesting facts.
- Archiving: Creating a personal collection or archive of specific topics, events, or individuals that are of interest. This could be for historical research, personal collections, or documentation.
- Preservation of Noteworthy Events: Keeping a record of significant news stories or articles that document important happenings.
Historical Context
Clipping articles was a primary method for individuals and organizations (like libraries or research centers) to curate and save information from printed media. While digital archiving and online news databases have become prevalent, the physical act of clipping still occurs for personal collections and specific archival needs.
