Reader's Response of "Proposed Solution"

Works Cited 

Singer, Natasha. "Botox Shops Approved for Migraine." Editorial. The New York Times, Health sec.: B1. The New York Times. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.

Link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/health/16drug.html?ref=health&pagewanted=print

Reader's Response 

In the article, "Botox Shops Approved for Migraine" in the New York Times the author discusses the FDA's new drug approval. The new solution of chronic migraines is a shot of Botox. Allergan produces Botox as an anti-wrinkle fix. Yet, a month earlier Allergan consented to pay $600 million for apparently going against the law in order to advertise Botox for headaches.

The article is very successful in presenting the background of the drug and the two studies that went into the FDA’s approval. This article did not gloss over the fact that the first study did not prove that the drug improved chronic migraines. Due to this outcome, the study was revised in order to look at “The number of headaches days rather than the number of headache episodes that a person experienced each month” (Singer). This study had a statistically significant difference of 2.3 less headaches (Singer). Then the study ended with the limits and the side effects of Botox.

The new solution for chronic headaches is interesting. In the second study, Botox showed a significant improvement in the number of headache days. However, the side effects included headaches and neck pains (Singer). If you are trying to improve migraines, how can you a side effect of headaches? In essence, migraines are severe headaches. It seems ridiculous to say that Botox can improve a severe headache, but may cause headaches. Neck pains can actually cause headaches in themselves, because they are pressures on the nerves in the neck. For some the side effect of fewer wrinkles is one of the main benefits of Botox.

More studies need to be done on Botox to see if the drug actually improves the number of migraines for those that suffer from chronic migraines. These studies need to back up that the side effects of Botox do not undermine the claim that the number of migraine days is lowered.
            Overall the article is successful in giving the background information of Botox and the studies done that affected FDA’s approval over Botox. The solution for chronic migraines being Botox is not reasonable if the side effects are undermining the ‘solution.’

"Effect Analysis" Article Reader's Response

 Link to Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/education/01math.html?ref=education

Works Cited:

Hu, Winnie. "Making Math Lessons as Easy as 1, Pause, 2, Pause..." Editorial. New York Times 30 Sept. 2010. The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 30 Sept. 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.

Reader's Response to Article:

 "Making Math Lessons as Easy as 1, Pause, 2, Pause..." is an interesting cause and effect analysis article. The article discusses methods of teaching mathematics and why some schools have switched the method from their previous to Singapore's method. This method stresses teaching the three-step process of concrete, pictorial, and abstract along with slowly introducing mathematics ideas and spending adequate time on each idea. American schools have been trying out new methods for teaching mathematics for years now. Some school introduces a method and when it does not improve the test scores the school moves on to a new method. If the new method works other schools may adopt that method. 

The article itself is a strong effect analysis, because it describes the consequences/benefits for the students that attend schools that have adopted Singapore's method. Some benefits the article describes include student's having a better understand of mathematics basics and therefore, a solid foundation for mathematics. In addition students are less likely to forget materials, more likely to score higher standardized test scores, and more likely to score higher in anecdotal reports. However, some caution that the consequences out balance the benefits. This program is expensive to put into place in schools as the program means new textbooks, new workbooks, and additionally training for teachers. A school that tried the program said it did not work, because the teachers themselves did not have enough of a solid foundation in math that Singapore's method requires. 

What makes this article successful? This article is successful mainly due to its structure. The introduction of the article captures the audience by stating that Americana's method is more fast past than this new mathematics method that is being tried out. If the reader is a parent, teacher, or student studying to a teacher this article already captures your attention in the first sentence. Then the author brings in a quote to explain what she means by slow paced method. Winnie than discusses the background of the slow paced method, which gives her credibility by having a quote and facts. Next,  Winnie ties in the slow paced method into American schools again, which is a smart way of making sure the reader knows this topic does effect them in America. The body of the article discusses the background of American mathematics and the strive to find a teaching method that raises Americans math skills. Winnie paraphrases what teachers and principles have said that is positive, but also the negative aspects of this new method. This is good so the author does not appear bias, because if the author appeared bias his or her credibility is lowered in the eyes of the reader. Along with the positive and negative effects of the new math method is the foundation of the method. Without this in this part of the structure the reader would not understand why the effects are what they are. Winnie concludes the article by talking about what an American school did the week before the article was written and ends with a student's quote.  

The article was a successful effect analysis due to the structure and clearly laid out effects of the new math method.

Reader's Response to Profile Of My Choice

Profile: Gordon Ramsay
Article by Johnathan Player 
Link:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/gordon_ramsay/index.html

Reader's Response 

     This profile is straightforward by giving facts about Gordon Ramsay's life and career. Unlike the Guy profile, this one does not engage the reader as much. However, this profile does give the reader knowledge about Ramsay and is helpful for learning about how he came to be who he is today. For a reader, it would be helpful to know Ramsay's shows, and personality before reading this article.
     Gordon Ramsay does not come off the page as fluidly as Guy did in the last profile the class read. Yet, if the reader has seen at least one episode of any of Ramsay's shows the reader is able to picture what Player is discussing.
     When Player was interviewing Ramsay, he probably asked some basic questions. One example question would be, "What were you encouraged to do professional by family?" A second question he probably asked Ramsay is, "What shows do are you currently on?" A third question would be, "Where and who did you begin your culinary career with?" Another question would be, "When did you open your first restaurant and did the restaurant achieve any awards?" Perhaps Player asked Ramsay, "When was your behavior noticed and how did people response?" Lastly, Player probably asked Ramsay, "Where are all of your restaurants located today?"
     I believe this profile could have been furthered by making Ramsay's character come to life for the reader. Today Ramsay is known for his hardball character as well as his food. Though Player talks about this, he could have pulled in a quote or situation in one of Ramsay's TV shows to demonstrate Ramsay's character.
     Overall, I believe this profile is an informational-based profile, not a character and informational-based profile.