Article vs. Document — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 21, 2024
An "article" is a written piece focused on a specific topic, often found in newspapers or magazines, while a "document" is a broader term for any written or digital file that records information.
Difference Between Article and Document
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An "article" typically refers to a written composition on a specific subject, usually part of a larger publication like a newspaper, magazine, or journal. Articles are often intended for public reading and can range from news reports and feature stories to opinion pieces and research findings. A "document," on the other hand, is a more general term that encompasses any written, printed, or digital record of information. Documents can include reports, contracts, letters, spreadsheets, and more.
In the context of writing, an "article" is usually more narrative and crafted to engage readers, whereas a "document" is more likely to be formal and straightforward, aimed at recording or conveying specific information.
Articles are often time-sensitive and contextually tied to current events or ongoing discussions. Documents, however, are timeless records that provide essential information regardless of the context or time period.
While an article is typically authored by journalists, writers, or researchers, a document can be created by anyone needing to record information, from professionals in various fields to individuals for personal use.
In academic and professional settings, articles are usually subject to editorial review or peer review processes, ensuring their quality and reliability. Documents, while also reviewed, are often internally validated based on their purpose and use.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Written piece on a specific topic
Any written, printed, or digital record of information
Purpose
To inform, entertain, or persuade
To record or convey specific information
Common Formats
Newspapers, magazines, journals
Reports, contracts, letters, spreadsheets
Audience
Public readers
Specific individuals or groups
Writing Style
Narrative, engaging
Formal, straightforward
Context Sensitivity
Often tied to current events
Timeless records
Authorship
Journalists, writers, researchers
Anyone needing to record information
Review Process
Editorial or peer review
Internal validation
Compare with Definitions
Article
A scholarly piece published in a journal.
The scientist's article was published in a renowned medical journal.
Document
A written, printed, or digital record that provides information.
Please submit all required documents before the deadline.
Article
A particular item or object
Small household articles
Articles of clothing
Document
Any material that serves as evidence or proof of something.
The passport is a crucial document for international travel.
Article
A piece of writing included with others in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication
An article about middle-aged executives
Document
A record of proceedings, transactions, or activities.
Meeting minutes are an important document for keeping track of decisions.
Article
A separate clause or paragraph of a legal document or agreement, typically one outlining a single rule or regulation
It is an offence under Article 7 of the Treaty
Document
A document is a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin Documentum, which denotes a "teaching" or "lesson": the verb doceō denotes "to teach".
Article
A period of training with a firm as a solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant
It may be worth taking articles in a specialized firm
He is already in articles
Document
A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as an official record.
Article
The definite or indefinite article.
Document
Record (something) in written, photographic, or other form
The photographer spent years documenting the lives of miners
Article
Bind (a trainee solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant) to undergo a period of training with a firm in order to become qualified
He was articled to a firm of solicitors in York
Document
A written or printed paper that bears the original, official, or legal form of something and can be used to furnish decisive evidence or information.
Article
An individual thing or element of a class; a particular object or item
An article of clothing.
Articles of food.
Document
Something, such as a recording or a photograph, that can be used to furnish evidence or information.
Article
A particular section or item of a series in a written document, as in a contract, constitution, or treaty.
Document
A writing that contains information.
Article
A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.
Document
(Computers) A piece of work created with an application, as with a word processor.
Article
The part of speech used to indicate nouns and to specify their application.
Document
(Computers) A computer file that is not an executable file and contains data for use by applications.
Article
Any of the words belonging to this part of speech. In English, the indefinite articles are a and an and the definite article is the.
Document
Something, especially a material substance such as a coin bearing a revealing symbol or mark, that serves as proof or evidence.
Article
A particular part or subject; a specific matter or point.
Document
To furnish with a document or documents.
Article
To bind by articles set forth in a contract, such as one of apprenticeship.
Document
To methodically record the details of
"I had thought long and logically about ... how to document the patterns of dolphin behavior" (Diana Reiss).
Article
A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
Document
To support (an assertion or claim, for example) with evidence or decisive information.
Article
An object, a member of a group or class.
An article of clothing
A sales article
Document
To support (statements in a book, for example) with written references or citations; annotate.
Article
(grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
Document
An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.
Article
A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
The Articles of War are a set of regulations...to govern the conduct of...military...forces
Document
Any material substance on which the information is represented by writing.
Article
A genuine article.
Document
(computing) A file that contains text.
Article
A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
Document
(obsolete) That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Article
A person; an individual.
A shrewd article
Document
(obsolete) An example for instruction or warning.
Article
(archaic) A wench.
She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
Document
To record in documents.
He documented each step of the process as he did it, which was good when the investigation occurred.
Article
(dated) Subject matter; concern.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information.
A ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Article
(dated) A distinct part.
Document
That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Learners should not be too much crowded with a heap or multitude of documents or ideas at one time.
Article
(obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
Document
An example for instruction or warning.
They were forth with stoned to death, as a document to others.
Article
(transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
To article an apprentice to a mechanic
Document
An original or official paper relied upon as the basis, proof, or support of anything else; - in its most extended sense, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information in the case; any material substance on which the thoughts of men are represented by any species of conventional mark or symbol.
Saint Luke . . . collected them from such documents and testimonies as he . . . judged to be authentic.
Article
(obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
Document
To teach; to school.
I am finely documented by my own daughter.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information; as, a a ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Article
A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as, articles of agreement.
Document
Writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
Article
A literary composition, forming an independent portion of a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
Document
Anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
Article
Subject; matter; concern; distinct.
A very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding.
This last article will hardly be believed.
Document
A written account of ownership or obligation
Article
A distinct part.
The articles which compose the blood.
Document
(computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using 7-bit ASCII characters
Article
A particular one of various things; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
They would fight not for articles of faith, but for articles of food.
Document
Record in detail;
The parents documented every step of their child's development
Article
Precise point of time; moment.
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.
Document
Support or supply with references;
Can you document your claims?
Article
One of the three words, a, an, the, used before nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
Document
A formal piece of writing used in official or legal contexts.
The contract is a binding document between the two parties.
Article
One of the segments of an articulated appendage.
Document
A digital file containing text, data, or other information.
He saved the document on his computer for future reference.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
If all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
Article
To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
He shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
Article
To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to article an apprentice to a mechanic.
Article
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
Then he articled with her that he should go away when he pleased.
Article
Nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
Article
One of a class of artifacts;
An article of clothing
Article
A separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
Article
(grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
Article
Bind by a contract; especially for a training period
Article
A written composition on a specific topic published in a newspaper or magazine.
She wrote an article about climate change for the local newspaper.
Article
A section or clause in a formal document.
Article 3 of the constitution outlines the rights of citizens.
Article
A piece of writing included with others in a publication.
He enjoyed reading the various articles in the magazine.
Article
A nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication.
The article on space exploration was fascinating and informative.
Common Curiosities
What is a document?
A document is any written, printed, or digital record that provides information.
Where are articles commonly published?
Articles are commonly published in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals.
Who typically writes articles?
Journalists, writers, and researchers typically write articles.
What is an article?
An article is a written piece on a specific topic, often found in newspapers, magazines, or journals.
What purposes do documents serve?
Documents serve to record or convey specific information, often for legal, administrative, or personal use.
What style of writing is used in articles?
Articles often use a narrative and engaging style of writing.
What review process do articles go through?
Articles often go through editorial or peer review processes.
Do documents have a specific audience?
Documents often have specific individuals or groups as their audience.
Can anyone create a document?
Yes, anyone needing to record information can create a document.
How is the writing style of documents different?
Documents typically use a formal and straightforward style.
Are articles time-sensitive?
Yes, articles are often tied to current events or ongoing discussions.
Are articles meant for public reading?
Yes, articles are usually intended for public reading.
Are documents timeless?
Yes, documents are generally timeless records that provide essential information.
Do documents undergo a review process?
Documents are usually internally validated based on their purpose and use.
Can an article be part of a document?
Yes, an article can be a section or clause within a formal document.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
