When you search the library's periodical databases, most articles in your results are either from a newspaper, magazine, or journal.
A magazine article is a great source of general information.
Why? Most magazine articles are written by journalists for a general adult audience. They tend to be longer and more substantive than newspaper articles, but more accessible than scholarly articles.
A newspaper article can be a good source of general information too.
Why? Most news articles are written by journalists and they give you a snapshot of current issues talked about in daily life. Some nwes articles may also provide longer in-depth discussion - like you would find in a magazine. The New York Times is a good souce of substantial news pieces.
News and Magazine articles from ProQuest on Henrietta Lacks. This list updates whenever something new is published on the topic!
Use ProQuest to search for a magazine or newspaper article for your Background Essay.
Tip: To limit your search to only magazine articles or only new articles: click the "More Search Options" tab near the bottom of the screen. Select magazines or newspapers at "Publication Type."
Academic Search Complete: Find thousand of news and magazine articles. Limit your search to magazines or newspapers to retrieve the resources you want.
Alt-Press Watch: Want to read articles from the alternative press? Try this database that delivers news and views from alternative sources.
This article from Wired magazine gives a historical timeline of the HeLa cell line and the scientific discoveries made using HeLa.
Image from Wired.com
HeLa cells dividing. Image from NPR.com
Click here to listen to Neal Conan interview Rebecca Skloot on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" about Henrietta Lacks, the HeLa cell line, and writing The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.