Potentially Deadly Virus Related to SARS Appears to Be Not Easily Spread

By Marc Santora

In this article Marc Santora seeks to educate the population about a new deadly virus, but also calm suspicions that this disease will drastically affect the population.  He relies mostly on statistics, facts, and reliable sources to prove credibility. The author himself does not establish a personal relationship with the story, but for a news piece like this is would almost lessen the credibility if the author inserted himself. The first paragraph is the key information in the article while after that it is more details and statistics to confirm the statements made in the first paragraph. The article does not use diction that is too scientific. It makes it easier to read and understand. This is especially important for this article, because when reporting on something that could potentially be life threatening many things could be taken out of context, so the clearer the article the better. It effectively tell us what is happening with the disease but does not raise panic.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/world/new-virus-may-be-dangerous-but-seems-not-easily-spread.html?_r=0

While Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad soaks up Manhattan high life, his underlings go on shopping spree...

“While Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad soaks up Manhattan high life, his underlings go shopping spree at discount chains Payless, Costco, Walgreens and Duane Reade” details the stay of the Iranian president in contrast with his diplomats. The authors open the article by recounting the shopping trip one Iranian diplomat made in which the man spent forty dollars--nearly his entire shopping budget--to buy a pair of shoes for a child, perhaps one of his children. This kind of opening creates a sympathetic mood as readers “feel” for the man spending all his money buying a practical item for a child. With a backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the West, the story depicts the Iranian diplomats in a humane way. The authors then contrast Ahmadinejad’s visit with that of his “underlings.” The article claims that the Iranian president relaxed at a $1,600 dollar a night luxury hotel room, complete with personal chefs, while the men accompanying him scrambled to find basics such as vitamins, toothpaste, and cheap shoes. The article quoted an “insider” who said such necessities are difficult to obtain in Iran due to international sanctions over the country’s controversial nuclear program. The article casts Ahmadinejad in a poor light while creating some sympathy for the men accompanying him, as well as pointing out some results of the sanctions. Ahmadinejad may hate the United States, but his diplomats like American stores.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/iranian-presiden-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-ramps-hate-slams-zionists-speech-article-1.1168648#commentpostform

Baltimore Sun: Time To Do Reset On Stress

My favorite read-able news source is The Week where I feel I can find the most reliable new stories that cover a large range. In each issue of The Week, there is a section called “The World at a Glance…”. I find this portion of The Week to be extremely important as it delivers information from all over the globe. I find that knowing world news is just as important as being up to date with local and national news. For this assignment I chose an article from my second favorite news source, The Baltimore Sun, because it covers a variety of topics and stories that are local and that affect me.

In this article, Heidi Stevens highlights stress as a hazard to the human body and discusses ways in which to relieve it. She begins by comparing two different types of stress and how in today society people are constantly anxious and frazzled. Stevens effectively places quotes from scientists and their studies to relay that the stress humans succumb to is actually "slowly killing" people. She writes very little on her own, as her article is mostly made up of quotes, which shows her credibility and allows the article to make a stronger impact. In the article she moves on to discuss in a more scientific manner why stress is so dangerous to the human body. While doing this, Stevens keeps her article at a level of understanding so that readers get the most out of it. After Steven addresses the issue of stress, she presents four different ways to relieve stress and "reset" your body. Effectually she divides up this information so that it is easy to follow and understand. By first introducing the issue of stress and its effects on the human body, and then following up with suggestions for relieving stress, Stevens is attempting to connect to and help her audience.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/sc-health-0926-stress-20120926,0,436936,full.story

Teen mom dumped 3-week-old baby on roadside, claimed abduction

This article discusses a young mother who abandoned her child and then claimed the child had been abducted.  The journalist attempts to evoke anger toward the mother by opening the article with her charges of "obstruction of justice and endangering the life of health of a child."  The journalist ensures that no sympathy is felt for the mother when he makes a point to state that the mother has no job or income, which indicates a seriously lack of responsibility.  By providing an account of what occurred, as stated in a police report, the journalist uses logos to deliver the facts and chronology of the incident.  He uses quotations from people who helped rescue the baby in order to make the story more relatable from an outsider's point of view.  The journalist concludes the article with examples of what the mother could have done had she not wanted to mother the child: "Parents are allowed to relinquish custody of an unharmed newborn up to 30 days old to personnel at a hospital, emergency medical care facility, police or fire station.  Parents can give up their child anonymously and without the threat of prosecution for abandonment." He also uses a disapproving tone and short, curt diction to convey his disapproval of the actions of the young mother. This appeals to the emotional aspect of the article and helps to communicate his message that the teenager is too young to be a mother which is the primary cause of her irresponsible decisions.

Article : http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/29/14153338-cops-teen-mom-dumped-3-week-old-baby-on-roadside-claimed-abduction?lite

My favorite readable news source is the Baltimore Sun because it includes various articles that cover local, national, and global events.  It covers multiple topics such as sports, the economy, and social issues, and it is very easy to read.  It is always up to date because a new paper comes out everyday, and it is very informative.

Baltimore Sun: Orioles

Eduardo A. Encina, a contributor to the sports section of the Baltimore Sun, craftily depicts the Orioles "sweep" over the Boston Red Sox. Encina recalls baseball history and foretells the Orioles' future during their postseason when he states, "As the final weeks of the regular season dwindled to days, the Orioles’ mantra has been to handle their own business. Win out and they go to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, no matter what the other contenders muster. Win out and worse-case scenario, clinch a one-game playoff for an American League East division title." With this reminiscenceof the Orioles past and poor records, it strengthens the emotion in the article and to introduce the quotations of several players. Also, Encina finishes the article with a quotation that sums up the preceding words to give a personal vibe to the article. Overall, this article intrigues me due to its hype and emotion combined with sports and history. 

Link to Article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-baltimore-orioles-complete-sweep-of-red-sox-wait-to-learn-their-postseason-fate-20120930,0,7836084.story

Maryland and DC Snipers

Baltimore Sun - MD and DC Snipers Throughout the article, the author uses very detailed examples from ten years ago in order to refresh the memories of the readers and state specific facts. The author appeals to the audience by describing the victims and their daily lives. Also, there are quotations of a victim who survived and also ones of the sister of a victim who did not. The absolute terror that affected the reason is shown in this article through the precautionary measures that many citizens took in order to insure their safety. Tarps covered gas pumps, people darted from their cars to their homes, and people volunteered to help kids cross the street.