Evaluation of New Magazine Stories

I reviewed and explored both other The Atlantic and The Economist for this week’s blog. Since I’m a nursing major, I had to explore the pages for science based stories. I found my stories in the science section of The Economist called “Why Are So Many Middle-Aged White Americans Dying?” and “Schizophrenia Brian Gains” in The Atlantic.

 

Unknown. "Outer Surface of the Human Brain". 02/25/11 via Wikimedia.  Public Domain

The Atlantic

1.   What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.

This article was more informative rather than argumentative.  It discussed the causes of schizophrenia.

2.   Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?

The researchers involved in the study of the causes of schizophrenia are the most sympathetic.  Big contributors to this research include Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Steven McCaroll, and David Goldstein.  I was interested in this article because finding the root of the disease is fascinating to me. 

3.   Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?

No one is unsympathetic it was not an argumentative story.

The Economist

1.   What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.

This article was more of a study regarding why despite the numerous improvements in technology, the death rates of middle-aged Americans is not decreasing.  However, towards the end of the article Olga Khazan, the author, writes that the states that seem to be affiliated with the highest death rates because of the afflictions like heart disease and diabetes.

   

2.   Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?

It seems that at the end of the article the author is trying to insinuate that Medicaid should be expanded to the states that have the higher death rates for theses middle-aged Americans.

3. Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?

No one is unsympathetic.  The article was a study about the cause of so many deaths in middle–aged white Americans

Evaluation of New York Times Stories

I examined both the business and the politics sections of the New York Times. There were a lot of interesting headlines from both pages; however, two stories that stood out to me were “Saudi Arabia Keeps Pumping Oil, Despite Financial and Political Risks” from the business sections and “Bernie Sanders at a Crossroads: Attack Hilary Clinton or Stay Positive?”

Haxorjoe. "The New York Times headquarters 620 Eighth Avenue" 12/23/07 via wikipedia. Creative Commons License

Analysis of “Saudi Arabia Keep Pumping Oil, Despite Financial and Political Risks”:

1.   Does there seem to be a "main character" or "protagonist" to the story? If so, who is it and how are they are the "center" of the story? If not, are there any important or central characters in the story at all? What role do they play?

Reporter Stanley Reed centers this article around Saudi Arabia and their questionable decision to continuously pump oil despite the risks associated with this decision.  Reed discusses Saudi Arabia’s decision and asserts that although this decision is potentially hazardous oil continues to be their major export and a central part to the success of Saudi economy. 

2.   Where do the specific events in the story take place? Is there a specific setting? Describe the settings for the stories and how they influence the plot and characters.

The specific setting would be Saudi Arabia.  Oil is Saudi Arabia’s major export and their economy depends on the pumping and selling of it.  Because oil problems are occurring in a setting that is dependent on oil, this article becomes more interesting to viewers.  These potential oils problems influence all Saudi citizens, the Saudi government, and countries that rely heavily on the exportation of oil from this country.

3.   Is there any kind of disagreement or debate happening in the story? If so, who is participating, why are people debating and what seems to be at stake for the different characters in the story?

Somewhat.  The debate between whether or not Saudi Arabia is making the right decision.  Reed informs the reader about why the Saudi government is making the decision to pumping oil and how to good help or hurt them in the future.

Analysis of “Bernie Sanders at a Crossroads: Attack Hilary Clinton or Stay Positive?”

1.   Does there seem to be a "main character" or "protagonist" to the story? If so, who is it and how are they are the "center" of the story? If not, are there any important or central characters in the story at all? What role do they play?

Bernie Sanders is the main character in this story.  Sanders has established running a clean campaign so far by steering clear of negative campaigning against Hilary Clinton.  The story centers around whether Bernie will stick with a clean campaign or stray from this and use Hilary’s attachment to Wall Street to hurt her campaign.

2.   Where do the specific events in the story take place? Is there a specific setting? Describe the settings for the stories and how they influence the plot and characters.

In this article, the setting would be Iowa.  Sanders is contemplating changing his campaign strategy in order to win Iowa. Clinton is currently ahead in polling for the Iowa caucuses so Sanders and his team are debating changing their strategies in order to win over Iowa.

3.   Is there any kind of disagreement or debate happening in the story? If so, who is participating, why are people debating and what seems to be at stake for the different characters in the story?

Yes.  Sanders and his team are debating whether or not to switch their strategies from a clean campaign to a campaign that attacks Sander’s opposition.  Switching to a more negative campaign could help Sander’s win the Iowa caucus, but by doing this, Sanders will abandon his more moral campaign.  However, if Sanders sticks with the clean campaign he has been running, he could possibly lose.

Investigating Genres

1.     What purpose does a video essay usually serve?

A video essay typically allows the viewers a more fun and lively way of understanding the author’s message.  Through videos, pictures, and spoken words the author can bring their message to life and enhance the meaning behind their topic in a way that another genre cannot.

2.     Where, how, or what context do readers usually find video essays?

Video essays can be found online from sites like Youtube and video blogs.

3.     Who is the typical audience for this genre?

People who want to learn about a topic through both audio and visual interactions.  Video essays provide viewers with visuals to go along with their main topic. Watching a video essay is typically less time consuming than reading a whole essay so this can appeal to people who want quickly learn about the topic.

4.     What are some of the key features or characteristics that are unique to the genre, distinguishing it from other texts?

This genre supplies viewers with both audio and visuals to enhance their knowledge about the topic.  This genre can be beneficial to the author because it can be interesting for the viewer than a written essay, and also be more powerful through visuals and audio.

5.     Based on your answers to the question above, come up with a definition in your own words for this genre?

A video essay is a mixture of visual and auditory clips that typically enhance the author’s message.

Reflection: 

I learned a lot about podcasts from Tim Wils post about what exactly a podcast was and what makes it different from the other genres.  It was really helpful because I was still confused on what a podcast really was after viewing some of the examples.  I also was ill informed about quick reference guides and Nicolas Herard's post was helpful. A QRF is similar to a blog because it is less formatted in a way that is more accessible for viewers who don't want to have to read through paragraphs of information.