Activity 5.3
Writing a Comparative Literature Review

Considerable controversy exists about whether candidates who face stiff competition in primary elections are at a disadvantage in their general election races. Look up and read the following three articles that seek to answer the question "Does a divisive primary hurt a candidate's general election chances?"

Kenney, Patrick J., and Tom W. Rice. "The Relationship Between Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcomes." American Journal of Political Science 31 (February 1987):31-44.

Kenney, Patrick J., and Tom W. Rice. "The Effect of Primary Divisiveness in Gubernatorial and Senatorial Elections." Journal of Politics 46 (August 1984): 904-15.

Atkeson, Lonna Rae. "Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcomes: Another Look at Presidential Campaigns." American Journal of Political Science 42 (January 1998): 256-71.

Use the format provided in Table 5.1 to take notes on each article. Using the information you have recorded, write a brief (200 words or fewer) comparative review of the three articles.