Article: Which of These Foods Will Stop Cancer? (Not So Fast)
Found in: The New York Times
Published: September 27, 2005

I enjoyed this article because it speaks about how people believe that having the "perfect" diet will prevent them from getting cancer. The author explains how people with a family history of a form of cancer have dramatically altered their diet to protect themselves. I found that the article was fair because it represented both sides. It argued that changes in diet can reduce the risk of cancer, but it also showed skepticism in whether there is enough evidence to substantially support this view. The inclusion of interviews with various doctors provides the reader with more information about the types of food that can prevent various forms of cancer; by having a voice of authority, there is a significant impact on readers who are concerned about their health and eating habits. Furthermore, the inclusion of personal testimonies of people who changed their diets because of their family history allows the reader to relate on a more personal level with the article. I enjoyed the fact that the scientific parts of the story were placed within context so that readers without a biology background were able to understand and follow what the author was saying.

Article: Telling You What You Like
Found in: Los Angeles Times
Published: September 20, 2005

I found this article interesting because it really relates to my everyday life. The article speaks about how online stores (i.e. iTunes) now have systems that will produce lists of products customers might like based on their past purchases. This relates to me because many times when I am searching for products online I find the recommended list very useful; it opens up the possibility of purchasing items I never would have thought of purchasing before. I enjoyed that the author was not biased or unfair in his writing; he presented both sides of the argument about whether these recommended lists are a good or bad concept. There were interviews with people who found them useful and encouraged the act as well as interviews with people who were skeptical about their effectiveness. This provided me with many different perspectives and points of view about the recommended list, allowing me to form my own logical opinion. The article also speaks about the social repercussions and directly applies the theory of the concept to everyday life; this draws the reader into the article because it can be applicable to their life as well (for example, Netflix and their movie recommendations).

Article: Haven turned to Horror by Greg Miller and Ellen Barry
Found in: Los Angeles Times
Published: September 14, 2005

I found this article particularly interesting because it spoke about a specific tragedy that happened in New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina. The article follows a man as he attempts to find answers about why the owners of a nursing home did not evacuate their residents, an act that resulted in many unnecessary deaths. The story appeals to human interest because it chronicles and describes the agony of the man as he searches desparately for his elderly father. The visually heartbreaking pictures that accompany the picture only emphasize the sorrow felt by the man and causes the reader to feel sympathy and emphathize with him. I found this article interesting because though it spoke mainly about the effects of Hurricane Katrina, it addressed a growing concern about the quality of nursing homes in the country. The article subconsciously calls for reform and improvement in the operation of nursing homes. I feel that this article was a good piece of journalism because it was able to intertwine the present (the hurricane) with the future (nursing home reform).

Article: Vanished, Under Force of Time and an Inconstant Earth by Dennis Overbye
Found in: The New York Times
Published: September 6, 2005

I really enjoyed this article because it combines and compares history with the present day. I thought the historical content of the article made it interesting to read and was effective in drawing in the reader. The article begins by speaking about ancient cities that have been destroyed either through climatic changes, natural catastrophes, or other unknown causes. It causes the reader to think about what makes a city great while simultaneously forcing them to acknowledge that great empires do and will eventually decline. After analyzing the fall of great cities such as Alexandria and Nan Madol, the article ties in the present day by comparing their conditions with the state of emergency New Orleans is currently in. This comparison jumped out at me because it caused me to recognize that though New Orleans was undergoing a decline, the spirit of the city will not be forgotten, it will continue to live on through its accomplishments.