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.

"Inside the Meltdown" Response

     There are several factors that caused the Economic Crisis in 2008. The first problem was that Bear Stearns gambled on the housing market, allowed credit default swamps, had sup-premium mortgages, had borrowed heavily then a rumor started that Bear Stearns is running out of cash. In response to this the CEO gave a news company an interview, but it went bad. This all lead to Bear Stearns beginning to go under. In return this lead to the government lending JP Morgan money to give to Bear Stearns, but the government told JP Morgan to sell Bear Stearn stocks for $2 per share, all this made people lost faith in Banks. Then Fannie Mar and Freddie Mac lost 60% of their stocks due to miscalculations and bad bussiness, leading the government to fire and take over the two companies. Once this happened the Lehman Brothers company began to fail, but since the government told the banks they would bail no one else out, banks stopped lending money so the market froze, and Lehman Brothers had to declare bankruptcy. All this lead to a major crisis which was furthered by the fact the AIG went into major deficit, because they had major stock hold in Lehman Brothers. Seeing that AIG needed help or the entire economy system would fail the government lent AIG $85 billion, making AIG nationalized. When the government realized they had to take action they proposed a full scale bank bailout, but the first bill failed in Congress, which lead to the Dow downfall making the market crashed. Due to the market crashing Congress passed a revised bill. All these factors lead to an entire global economy, making the US government call a meeting with the nin e largest banks and making them sign a deal. This deal consisted of the government loaning all the banks money, meaning they took a stake in all the banks. These factors made Obama spend $350 billion so far in his first term.
     These factors stated above can all be found in the flow chart at the beginning of this post.

Response To "Guy Fieri, Chef-Dude, Is in the House" NEw York Times

What Questions did Julia Moskin ask Guy Fieri in the interview?

1.      How old are you?

2.      Where did you attend college?

3.      When did you graduate college?

4.      What was your major in college?

5.      Who were your parents, what type of people were they?

6.      Where did you grow up?

7.      What kind of things did you have to eat growing up?

8.      What inspired you to start cooking?

9.      What people do you need in life?

10.  When and why did you earn your first series on the Food Network?

11.  Did you do anything exciting in high school, like visit another country?

12.  How many tattoos do you have and what do they mean?

13.  What is the weirdest reaction you have received from a live crowd?

14.  How many cars do you own and what type are they?

15.  Where have you visited?

16.  Who have you cooked for that means a lot to you?

17.  Who is your idol?

18.  How did a chef like you get to host NBC’s “Minute to Win it?”

19.  What is your next new series coming up and what is it about?

20.  What are your passions and do they reflect your persona?

21.  Why are you doing so much on the Food Network right now?

22.  Do you believe there will be a time when the fame fades?

23.  What are the names of your children, wife, and parents?

24.  What type of names do your friends go by?

25.  Where do you currently live?

26.  What restaurants do you own currently, are they with partners?

27.  What type of food do these restaurants serve?

28.  How do you compensate for people who do not like certain foods?

29.  What do you feel is the difference between you and other chefs in the industry?

30.  What are some of the dishes that you could not stand on the show “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives?”

31.  What did your parents do when you were a kid?

32.  After college what did you do?

33.  What do you feel are the biggest issues facing the culinary world today and are there any solutions to those problems you see?

34.  What are the craziest questions you have received from fans?

Assignment #4 Social Criticism Poem

Preferential Treatment

You ask her, your friend, courtesy favors.

Yet, me, the one you are stuck with, just assume

The answer is in your favor.

You have learned it from them,

The world at large.

Here is a hint,

They have lost their manners.

Oh what a culture we live in.

Curious yet what my answer is?

No! Guess you should have asked first.

Assignment #3 Analyze A Poem

Deferred by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Analyze

A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes is a poem about Langston experiences, his hardships, and his successes. Hughes poses the question, "What happens to a dream deferred?" (1). to the reader. Deferred means delayed therefore, his question is asking what happens to a dream delayed.  Langston Hughes was the first African American who lived off his writing (Reuben). Knowing this the poem can be seen in a better light, the dream Langston could be referring to is that of African Americas, to be able to live freely, having a career that suits them. This dream was long delayed due to the slavery movement across the world particularly America. Hughes explores what really happens to a dream that is postponed, never coming to a conclusion in his poem. That part is left to the reader's opinion on the topic, though Hughes does give suggestions.

Langston Hughes asks, "Does it dry up/ like a raisin in the sun?" (2-3). This is nice imagery; the reader can visualize a plump raisin drying out when left out in the hot, blazing sun. When dreams are put on hold, it is hard to image them staying the fresh, ripe raisin; instead they lose some of their juice and become sour. However, Hughes also suggests, "Or fester like a sore--/ And then run?" (4-5). Dreams have a healthy, exciting surface, but when those dreams are left on the back burner maybe the bother you, nagging you, until they run their course, leaking out of you slowly. He then plays on the reader's sense of smell by asking, "Does it stink like rotten meat?" (6). With this description the reader can nose turns up, sending their brain whirling into their memories reliving their experience with stinky rotten meat. Hughes continues his poem by

writing, "Or crust and sugar over --. like a syrupy sweet?" (7-8). Dreams, however, could also crust or rust over, becoming sweeter, by the sugar, the longing for the dream, to come true. Lastly, Hughes ends the poem wondering if dreams deferred "Or does it explode?" (9). The main point of this line is to get the reader thinking of, when dreams are delayed for so long do they blow up in your face and soul?

Taking each line separately helps you break down the poem into pieces, and then you have to rebuild the puzzle. On the whole, the poem is referring to the African America fight for rights, citizenship, and equality in the United States since this poem was written during 1951. Others, however, could look at this poem and see only Hughes discussing dreams in generally, but knowing his background a little allows for a better understanding that this poem intent is most likely discussing African Americans in the United States.

Work Cited



Rueben, Paul P. "PAL: Langston Hughes (1902-1967)." California State University Stanislaus | Home. Web. 19 Sept. 2010. <http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap9/hughes.html>.