14. Does England Have the Solution to the Grade-Inflation Problem?

The article begins by characterizing grading. The author describes why the grading policy changed at Princeton University. It is difficult to find a good balance on how to grade students. Grade inflation has become a controversy with top American universities including Harvard. The author than makes a transition to how to find the balance of grading. He begins by asking a lot of questions that makes the reader think about what is the purpose of grades. Whether it is more for students, teachers, or employers. One of the solutions is to stop grades altogether. This way students will focus more on learning and no feel pressured about their final grades. There is also the “dual track system” where students receive two different grades. Another approach is having a quota for the average of the grades in a class. However this system was not popular with the students. The final suggested solution is to only use 3 classes of grades, as the UK does: first, second, and third. This system works with the understanding that most of the students will receive the same grade.  

The main purpose of the article is to inform the reader of different grading policies. He mainly states just the overall aspects of the different systems without going to much in depth about them. This gives the reader a good general idea without overwhelming them with boring information. At one point in the article, the author uses questions to get the reader thinking and gain their interest. He somewhat lists the different systems until the end of the article. The last few paragraphs he describes the UK system of grading which is preferred by the author. He explains how and why it works, partially persuading the reader into thinking the same. The author was able to make a somewhat boring subject seem interesting.        

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/10/does-england-have-the-solution-to-the-grade-inflation-problem/381571/

14. The Company That Banned Its Own Product

This article by Joe Pinsker, an assistant editor at The Atlantic, talks about the ironic ban on employees smoking, made by America's second largest tobacco company. It is seemingly hypocritical, but rational nonetheless. The company is notorious for having a lack of integrity, but this ban on smoking at work is justifiably beneficial to all the workers. Lawsuits are currently being made about this ban but they seem to be getting no where, as it appears that there are too many benefits to a smoke-free working environment, opposed to the negative aspect which is simply the discomfort for those who are strongly dependent on smoking. The ban is preventing illnesses caused by secondhand smoking and fire hazards. It is also a more professional outlook. But this does bring about the hypocrisy once more, if smoking is something beneficial to be staying away from and they admit that, why do they continue to sell and promote this product?
Joe Pinsker writes this article very directly and short. He doesn't beat around the bush, but gets right to the point. This does leave out the hook to his intro, however it is so simple, straightforward, and short that it becomes a worthwhile read. Pinsker includes some jokes about his own workplace in a subtly humorous way, making a comparison to how many people in the Reynolds company actually smoke, which is 18%, to the literacy rate of the workers at The Atlantic. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/the-company-that-banned-its-own-product/381831/

14. "The Problem With Positive Thinking"

     We are always encouraged to "think positive"; to disregard the worst scenarios and keep your mind occupied with positive outcomes. Many times, this concept is effective as it helps a person stay motivated and optimistic with whatever result. However, in several cases, positive thinking has backfired actually causing people to get worse results. Accordingly, positive thinking is helpful and can maintain the set goals of a person. Yet, the mere act of "thinking positive" requires energy and it may drain the energy a person needs to pursue their goals. Consequently, positive thinking fools our mind into thinking that we have already pursued our goal, slackening our efforts in pursuing that goal. To avoid this, we must think in a hybrid approach combining positive thinking and "realism". While thinking optimistic, we must also consider the challenges and obstacles in pursuing our goals. This way, a balanced mindset will help us attain our goals as best as possible.
     The author of the article, Gabriele Oettingen, writes and opinative article suggesting the problems with positive thinking. To convey her message, Oettingen is very effective in her approach and evidence. Throughout her article she refers to scientific studies as well as direct quotes to support her claim. This gives her article a lot more credibility causing the reader to consider her arguments. I in particular was very convinced with this article and could really relate to what she was saying. As she approached a very general subject, her article is able to relate to many people. Additionally, her word usage is easy to comprehend and flows very well. The length of the essay was just right as well, allowing readers to stay engaged throughout the whole thing. I really enjoyed this article and very much considered changing my own thoughts through what Oettingen suggests.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-problem-with-positive-thinking.html

14. Wait, Americans Spend How Much on Halloween?

           U.S. retail sales were saying that maybe this year Americans would be spending less on the biggest shopping season of the year. Some of these stores say they make up to 30% of their yearly sales between October and December. What starts this season is Halloween. The National Retail Federation estimates Americans will spend $7.4 billion dollars with Halloween this year. The candy alone is responsible for $2 billion of that total share. In addition, the National Confectioners Association is expecting it to grow more this year, to $2.5 billion. It is also estimated retailers make more money if Halloween ends up on a Friday. The NRF estimates Americans will spend $350 million on pet costumes alone. Despite all the money spent on it, Halloween isn’t in the top 5 holiday spending list. Other holidays such as Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day make twice as much more money than Halloween. Investors also discovered that from November to April the U.S. Stock Market performs better, but they think this is due to stock returns in production sectors rather than all people spend during the holiday season.

            Bourree Lam, an editor at The Atlantic wrote about Halloween and how much people spend on it yearly. The article is mostly informational, using facts from research or organizations. These facts add credibility to the main idea of the article. She also includes a graph showing how much people spend with different things during Halloween, such as costumes, candy, and decorations. This graph illustrates what the whole article is saying and allows the reader to easily understand the information. Her diction is informal to make it easy for all readers to understand her message.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/wait-americans-spend-how-much-on-halloween/381631/

14. This Is the Average Man's Body

This article illustrates a modern average man's body.  The author explains how this image is a avatar that was created to represent the average American's physical structure. The body is the average of U.S. males of age 30 to 39 with a body mass index of 29, at five-feet-nine- inches tall and a waist of 39 inches. The author illustrates and describe all this in order to compare this average American adult with average adults of other nationalities. With the picture and the passage we can see differences of height and of width between the people displayed. They compare average body by different countries. They use this information to emphasize the reality of the American population's high rate of obesity. THe author shows how Americans are also gradually losing weight and how Dutch people are still going to grow in height. He says that obesity depends on culture and genetics.
They author is successful in  trasmitting what the author wanted to transmit. The author changes the usual route of having to write everthing to showing what is needed to be shown with pictures. The essay was revolved around these pictures that prove the differences of body structre depending on ethnicity. This different style was certainly effective because I only read traditional articles that only have points with evidences and etc. This essay gives us examples that give credibility to the images and to what he is saying. It was successful and I found it very interesting.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/10/this-is-the-average-mans-body/280194/

14. Why Is It Illegal to Not Vote in Most of Latin America?

        There is only one thing in common with the elections from Uruguay and Brazil: both are legally required to cast a ballot. About thirty countries around the world have the national form of compulsory voting law; thirteen of them are in Latin America. Because almost half of Latin America is enforced with compulsory voting laws, it has the highest concentration of laws on any continent. The president of the Inter-American Dialogue, Michael Shifter, said “Advocates believe a full democracy needs to respond to the views and interests of all citizens. ... Of course, the chief argument against compulsory voting is that it contradicts the freedom associated with democracy.” The origins of compulsory voting laws came from the fear the country had of losing the ability to get their own people to vote. The final decision of adopting this system came from the great amount of those who did not support the government. Even though both Brazil and Uruguay went through a military dictatorship between 1950’s and 1980’s; democracy made its way back, and so did the obligation of people to vote.

        Kathy Gilsinan, the author of this article, took the opportunity to inform the reader about the different voting system there is around Latin America because of the elections in both Uruguay and Brazil. The purpose of her article was to inform; specifically to tell the reader about the compulsory voting law enforced in most of Latin America. Using historic facts, Gilsinan, explained to the reader how the voting system came to be this way. She uses two pictures throughout her piece; the first one is a picture of Brazil, its flag and the Christ symbol (I thought it was ironic for the election of a new president for Brazil was today). The second one is a map of the world, which shows how many countries use the compulsory voting law system. Kathy uses informal language for the reader to have better understanding of her piece. Although this article was short, it was direct and right to the point; a well written informative article.

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/why-is-it-illegal-not-to-vote-in-most-of-latin-america/381936/

14. The Dangers of Eating Late at Night

Who would've thought eating late at night would be bad for your health? Jamie A. Koufman, a physician in New York and also the author of this article, tells us the effects of eating late at night. She tells about acid reflux, that is an epidemic affecting 40% of the Americans. Acid reflux symptoms may include, hoarseness, chronic throat, difficulty swallowing or clearing asthma, and even esophageal cancer. The answer to these developments is poor diet, over eating fatty foods, and dinnertime. Koufman tells us about a patient she had. This patient owned a restaurant and usually came home at 11 pm and ate his dinner. He started to develop weird symptoms such as hoarseness, chronic coughing, and heartburn. Koufman told him to start eating his dinner earlier and having a better diet. Some months later, the same patient comes back healthy thanking Koufman. Koufman concludes by suggesting us to have a better diet and eating our dinner sooner in order to avoid weird symptoms.

Koufman's objective in writing this article was to tell the readers about the unknown. Many people did not think eating late at night would be such a scary thing. She wrote a smooth informative article. She does a good job in narrating the story and giving her personal examples. Overall, her article has been enjoyable to read and at the same time, educational.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-dangers-of-eating-late-at-night.html?action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&region=Marginalia&src=me&pgtype=article

14. “Men’s Rights” Group Tries To Lure Visitors Away From Anti–Domestic Violence Website

This article is about a community of anti-feminist people or ''male activists'' tried to undermine the White Ribbon Campaign, a Canadian anti-domestic violence organization. Paul Elam, leader of this group, set up a copycat website with intention to send people searching for the White Ribbon Campaign to a different website. They created a website called the whiteribbon.org (the real one is whiteribbon.ca) and has a similar layout to the real one. These 'male activists' hope to divert attention and funds from the real White Ribbon Campaign. This fake website contains various articles claiming that female violence against men is just as bad than male violence against women (which is completely untrue) and even describes domestic violence as mutual behavior and as a form of roleplay to build sexual tension. The White Ribbon campaign gave this group a long, classy answer claiming that they will not " be engaging with this group in a public screaming match."
The author of this article, Amanda Marcotte, successfully uses this article to show the world how this specific group of 'male activists' were being disrespectful and inconsiderate of the White Ribbon Campaign. She included many quotes, both from the White Ribbon people and the 'male activists', which shows that her information is valid. This article uses a more complex vocabulary and some 'mean' words, indicating that the intended audience is of older, more mature age. Marcotte was able to tell this sad story and give her opinion as to why this was ridiculous.

14. Marijuana advocates’ secret weapon

In 2012 Colorado legalized marijuana, this step gave marijuana advocates a new kind of ammunition; that of comparing marijuana to alcohol. This claim prompted a duel challenge in between South Portland Police Chief Edward Googins and David Boyer an official in the Marijuana Policy Project. The idea of the duel is as follows; for every shot of alcohol Googins would take, Boyer would take a toke of marijuana, the public would see which one of the two better in condition at the end. The marijuana-alcohol duel was not the first and will not be the last, for campaigners everywhere are now basing their whole message on comparing the two substances. And since Colorado has a stadium with a liquor brand name and a governor brews beer, the comparison proved effective. In the long run this totally changed the drug debate from bad-or-good argument to a better-than-alcohol one. President Obama even said; “I don’t think (marijuana) is more dangerous than alcohol.”

The article by David Sirota exposes in a serious tone the transition of perspective on the drug debate. Demonstrating with quotes of debates how the arguments have shifted to a comparison with a legal alcohol. Showing the reader of the online magazine how marijuana advocates now have in their arsenal a powerful weapon. Which can be summed up as; “If alcohol is legal why is cannabis not if it safer than alcohol?” and “Everyone recognizes that alcohol prohibition was a huge failure,” Tvert says. “Our point is that marijuana prohibition has been just as big of a disaster.” This new perspective that marijuana advocates are getting across has the power, as Sirota showed with Colorado, can tip the scale in cannabis` favor.

http://www.salon.com/2014/10/25/marijuana_advocates_secret_weapon_partner/

14. Iggy Azalea and Snoop Dogg's Feud Wasn't as Pointless as It Seemed

     The fight between Iggy Azalea and Snoop Dogg goes way beyond stupid twitter beef, it turns into the direction of sexist and racist insults. However, the pictures posted of White Chicks and Snoop portrayed as a drug addict, can in fact be seen as a childish fight. But this fight portrays the truth inside hip-hop culture. The initial picture that started the fight was of an albino African-American women with cornrows. He was after all calling Iggy ugly and criticizing her for being a white woman who adopts black mannerisms. Iggy "without makeup", emphasizes Iggy not being black. Snopp calls Iggy not authentic. She is using her "black side" for being cool, but at the same time cherishes the privileges that come with being white. Iggy response was much more low-key, but still showed her anger and rage. "Women are supposed to sit back and let men shit on them," she wrote. "If we question it, we are 'emotional', 'butt hurt', or just a BITCH. nothing new tho." This riot portrays how people in the hip-hop industry, who are all about freedom of speech, cannot accept the fact that a white rapper is more successful then most black rappers.

     This is an article by Noah Berlatsky for The Atlantic. He chooses to show the deeper thinking of what most people saw as a idiotic fight. Berlatsky uses informal language and is efficient in informing the reader. Throughout the article, he informs the reader about the situation. It is only on the last paragraphs that he takes a stand with Iggy, agreeing on the racism and sexism imposed on her. He uses irony to show how a liberal genre like hip-hop still holds prejudice within. After all there is no such thing as freedom for all.

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/10/iggy-azalea-and-snoop-doggs-beef-wasnt-as-pointless-as-it-seemed/381554/

14. What the Ebola Panic Reminds Us About Worry

In this article, Amy Simpson talks about how ebola has made people worried, frightened, and anxious. She starts off by talking about Louis Troh, and how he was the first person in America to receive the ebola disease. She talks about how he was sent to isolation and the people who was involved with him were also sent to isolation. Then, she talks about how the disease is not as dangerous as other think, it is not easily transmuted and will only influence those with a physical contact. She gives the example of how the nurses that took care of Troh were also infected, but the family members and those close to Troh weren't. Then, Simpson talks about how people are starting to worry too much and constantly living in fear. She mentions that living in fear is good because people take more care of their body, but that people should not be crushed by fear. Then, Simpson also talks about how fear and anxiety are all part of worry. How fear is an immediate reaction, but anxiety is a possibility. Once again she talks about how living in fear and anxiety is good, but that many people get too frightened or anxious that there are millions of people in US with disorders. However, despite the harm it may be doing, it does not affect the relationship with God. Simpson adds that worry is different, because with worry, people act differently. She talks about how people are worrying more because they know more information through technology. Simpson talks about ebola and how it is, indeed, frighting. However, she also adds that people shouldn't live in the constant fear of dying. People shouldn't act differently. God has his plans for us, and worrying won't make a difference. Thus, people should just continue living in faith and believing that God is in control.

Amy Simpson does a good job stating her opinion and adding evidences to support it. At the beginning of the article, she starts by explaining why people are scared of ebola. She mentions the person who died and what peoples reactions are. Then, she uses the ebola to explain how people are worrying too much. How people are walking at the street with constant fear. However, Simpson wants to tell the readers that we should not be feeling this way. That we should believe in God and let him take control. Simpson uses statistics to show how things in the world are changing because of fear, worry, and anxiety. Finally, she adds that God will take control and worrying won't change anything.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2014/october/what-ebola-panic-reminds-us-about-worry.html?start=3

#14 "Oscar de la Renta's Legacy"

           Oscar de la Renta, an inspirational and amazing designer, has passed away at the age of 82, on Monday, October 20^th, 2014. Well known for designing gowns for first ladies and celebrities, Mr. de la Renta is a legendary designer. Although he was never considered a fashion guru, he has left a huge mark in the fashion industry. Oscar de la Renta was a man of classics. He would always be wearing a pin stripe button down shirt along with a tuxedo jacket and social pants. He would always be on time for his shows. He valued the simplicity and consistency. When interviewed a few years ago, Mr. de la Renta openly stated that his hobby was gardening. He stated that through his hobby, he was able to learn a lot, especially that “you need patience for something to grow, and faith”. He said, “the trees you plant you may never see in their full glory, while the ones you enjoy now were put there by people who may never have seen the results of their work.” Like so, Mr. de la Renta’s fashion house may not have reached its full potential now during his lifetime, but he knew that like a tree, it would grow to become a major brand. And it already has. Oscar de la Renta has set knew ideals in the fashion industry. He believed in hard work and the importance of appearance. “He believed in beauty, not for beauty’s sake, but because he understood that elevating the outside could help elevate the inside; that confidence could be donned with a garment. He believed in balance, and the golden mean. He believed in lace and color and the leverage that came with a carefully chosen ruffle — but not too many ruffles. He believed, during the rise and fall of grunge and normcore and casual Friday, in staking his higher ground: being neither out nor in but, perhaps, above. He believed in the long game.” Like the article states, he was a man of classics. At the age of change in the fashion industry, he firmly stood with his “old fashioned” designs, but that is why he has prevailed. Change is good; however, classic never ends, and Oscar de la Renta knew it, setting classic designs in stone in the fashion industry.

             This particular article is an appraisal for fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta. Oscar de la Renta, a very influential designer, has passed away this past Monday. To appreciate his works, contributor to the style sector of the New York Times, Vanessa Friedman, has wrote an article praising his career. Throughout this article, she uses various examples, including personal examples of when she interviewed de la Renta, to show how a well known and accomplished designer he is. Her language is polished and clear, easy for the readers to comprehend. Her overall tone is appreciative and shows hints of admiration and awe. Friedman clearly states how Oscar de la Renta has left his mark on the fashion industry through this appraisal article. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/fashion/oscar-de-la-renta-legacy.html?ref=fashion&_r=0

14. Keeping It In The Family

 In her article, Emily Tamkin talks about why most of the oldest companies in the world are in the country of Japan. She begins by talking about the world's oldest hotel called Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan. She also talks about other companies before going in to reasoning why Japan has all these old companies. She then says that these companies have developed at an early time and remained standing today because of primogeniture- which is when the eldest son inherits all the patriarchal wealths. She also mentions that even after "primogeniture" was extinguished from culture in the 20th century, Japanese people keep it as a tradition and continue passing on all the inheritances to the eldest son. In other words, the oldest companies are family-owned businesses, which is why it lives to this day: families go on and on. She cites a professional named Hugh Whittaker: “The logic of doing business in Japan is a logic of commitment rather than a logic of choice.”  She then says that these types of businesses strike a delicate balance between continuation and innovation. The author writes the article in an informative tone, as if she were teaching her readers something new. She succeeds "teaching", because readers receive the answer to a question (in this case being "why the oldest companies are in Japan?) and are able to learn new things about a different culture. The author uses simple, understandable vocabulary so that any reader could easily understand what she says. Tamkin supports her findings with evidence such as the name of the Japanese companies and their locations. At times, the author also cites second-party evidences by using the words over other professionals such as Whittaker and Weinstein. Her article is an overall successful one- with a stable and informative tone, she shows her readers what she wants to share about Japan and the culture behind its old companies.
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/continuously_operating/2014/10/world_s_oldest_companies_why_are_so_many_of_them_in_japan.html

14. 4 Features From Other Languages That We Wish English Had

This article talks about four interesting features from several languages that would be great if they were implemented into English. In the video the author presents, Youtuber Tom Scott talks about the four features he wishes were found in English. The first is time-independence; he explains how whenever a verb in English is used, one has to say when it happened or when it will happen. In Chinese, on the other hand, doesn't require verb-tense; sentences can be perfectly made without conjugation of verbs. The second feature is clusivity. He complains how in English, the word "we" can be both inclusive and exclusive, making several sentences confusing depending on the context. IN other languages however, there are different words for "we" which indicate whether the listener is included or not. The third one is absolute direction. In Guugu Yimithirr, a native language from Austrilia, words for left, right, forward, and backward don't exist. Instead, they always refer to cardinal directions which is north, south, east, and west. He finds it cool and would love it if he always knew what direction was north and etc. Fourth and last feature is evidentiality. He explains how evidence is baked into sentences of languages around the world, yet English ones don't require this. He adds that keeping these minor languages alive is what gives insight to our human minds. The author concludes the article by talking about how fascinated he was about the inclusive and exclusive "we."
Gretchen McCulloh, author of this writing, wrote a very interesting and informative article. Most of the explanation she does is through the video she adds right at the beginning of the paper. It is quite humorous and the explanations of the feature are very clear. She also starts off with a very catching question that would make the readers want to watch the video to find out what these "alien" features are. McCulloh goes on to explain why she'd love if the features were implemented into the English language, especially the exclusive and inclusive "we" one.She also adds a map showing where in the world are the languages with and without the distinction of the word "we." Overall, it's a very interesting, informative and thorough article even though it's short.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2014/10/24/_4_fantastic_features_from_other_languages_that_we_wish_english_had_especially.html

14. Sleep that helps the Brain

This article is a short, but deep study done on how more sleep can make a person healthier and smarter. The introduction is filled with figurative language, and the author uses a simile to demonstrate the image of workers sleeping on the subway. This is a good attention getter that helps the reader to connect with what Delistraty is talking about. Throughout the essay the author explains his thesis; why more than 5 hours of sleep is necessary. In paragraph five, Delistraty uses evidence from a book to prove that most people do not sleep the amount of hours that their the bodies need. The author also uses backup information to prove that people who are sleep-deprived claim false memories. Lastly, there is evidence that students receive higher test scores and are more intelligent when they sleep for the right amount of time. The conclusion wraps us the short article by connecting to the introduction; the author portrays with sensory language, the image of the workers waking up as the subway reaches the next stop.  

The author uses an attention getter full of descriptive and sensory language in his introduction. Although the article is short, the thesis is well introduced and developed throughout the selection. Delistraty uses many uses of writing in his informative article. He is effective in proving to the reader that sleep can improve memory, moods, and intelligence. The three-four devices used as evidence are well used in context and sufficiently quoted. Overall the author does a perfect job of wrapping up a short, yet informative thesis about the importance of sleep.

http://m.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/let-the-body-rest-for-the-sake-of-the-brain/381582/

14. Does England Have a Solution to the Grade-Inflation Problem?

In this article, Heidi Tworek takes a look at the problem known as "grade inflation," and the possible solutions for this problem. The problem itself is that grading policies are either too lenient – as in Harvard's high percentage of A-students – or too harsh – as the "exceptionally high" 16-out-of-20s in a school in France. Many solutions have been offered and experimented with to solve this problem. One idea was to abolish the grading system altogether and have students focus on the "learning experience." Another option is the "dual track system," where students are given a regular grade, and the grade that their professors believe they deserve. On the other extreme, there is a solution that grades students based on a quota, such that the entire school has to have an average below a certain grade. However, the method that Tworek seems to uphold and side with is the method used in some English schools, where the only grades are a "first" at the top, "second 1" and "second 2" in the middle, and "third" at the bottom. She explains that this method keeps all students in an average middle level, and still makes the schools appealing both to prospective students and to the job market.
Tworek makes use of hypophora a lot throughout the essay, using it as a method of transition and also to get the reader on the same page as she is. The use is not very effective, if a bit excessive at times. She also established her credibility very well by citing statistics about schools that implement these innovative grading methods, and even includes the link to a website that evaluates grade inflarion over time. Tworek's article is wrapped up very nicely in her concluding paragraph, where she connects back to the introduction to the piece with the idea of grades and the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Also, she did a good job of using a personal connection to establish her point of view on the matter. She subtly impies that she supports the final grading method when she mentions that it was used in a place she herself studied in. In this way, she includes her subjectivr opinion into an objective article, and it is very well done. Overall, her article was exceptionally well-written, and gave readers an easily understandable, credible perspective into the problems and solutions involved in grading policies.

http://m.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/10/does-england-have-the-solution-to-the-grade-inflation-problem/381571/

13. For a Better Brain, Learn Another Language

The author begins this article by giving examples of how the English language does not have words for certain expressions like other languages do. He uses a quote from George Lakoff that  sets up what he will talk about for the rest of the essay: “Speaking different languages means you get different frames, different metaphors, and also you’re learning the culture of the language so you get not only different words, but different types of words,”. The author then goes on to give the other advantages of being a multilinguist. One othe the main points that the author focuses on is the fact that learning another language can dela "cognitive decline". The author concludes the essay with pointing out that even just attempting to learn a new language can have good affects on your brain.

This article had a very interesting topic. The author only takes one side of showing the good effects that learning a new language can have on a person. He doesn't explore the other point of view that it could also have bad effects. His main purpose was to inform the reader of the good effects of being multi-lingal. Also, the author used a little persuasion, trying to convince the reader that they should learn a new language to improve their brain. The author uses many quotes and sources to provide backup for his claim. The topic is very big and must have much more to it but the author choose to keep it short so it did not bore the reader. Overall it was a very well written and interesting article to read.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/more-languages-better-brain/381193/?single_page=true

13. "Want to Ace That Test? Get the Right Kind of Sleep"

     Sleep deprivation is most likely the primary reason for the amount of stress and hardship students go through in school. Sleep is essential for students. However, scientists have discovered a way adolescents may actually learn by sleeping. They call it the "sleep study skills". As effective as it may seem, staying up late studying is actually the worst case scenario. Our body need sleep, and without it is not able to function properly, especially the brain. Therefore, if you want to do well on your test the next day, sleep early. It is relevant to think that more studying yields better results, however that is not the case. Students must learn to regulate their sleep patterns and get the right kind of sleep. Not necessarily 12 hour sleep-ins, but regulated amounts of daily sleep. This way, not only will they be less tired, but they will remember more of what they studied as well as be more productive in school.
      The author of this article, Benedict Carey, uses very effective writing in his article. This article in particular caught my attention due to its evocative title. I was able to completely relate to this article which also kept me interested throughout the whole article. In terms of his writing, Carey uses simple words and is very informal. He states his points by numbering his arguments and solutions for sleep deprivation. With this, Carey uses several scientific citations to support his claims. Overall, his article seems very credible. Ultimately, the article easily caught my attention and I was able to completely relate to the entire article.

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/want-to-ace-that-test-get-the-right-kind-of-sleep/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed

13. The U.S. Military Wages War on Ebola

Russell Berman, an associate editor at The Atlantic, writes about the Ebola crisis and what America and its army is doing to support the cause. The American government sent 4,000 military troops and $750 million dollars in an effort to help those suffering and help contain the epidemic before it spreads even further. The troops are currently helping to construct seven testing labs and 17 treatment facilities, which they hope to have up and running by mid-November. The troops were specially trained for such a situation and are cautiously helping out. U.S. and international health officials have made urgent warnings about the outbreak in West Africa, which has killed more than 3,400 people and infected 7,500 in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organization. This has become an even more urgent matter seeing how Ebola reached American mainland just last week. This is a seriously dangerous epidemic and is why the U.S is taking such precautions and assisting to the best of their abilities, the countries that are suffering from Ebola right now.

Berman writes very informatively and cites credible sources. He explores the common questions that common people would be asking, which adds clarity to the article. He writes in an approving manner, agreeing with the American government’s plans to eradicate this disease. All in all, Berman is simply informing the reader what is happening with the epidemic. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/10/the-us-military-wages-war-on-ebola/381197/

13. "Safety Check" Is a Great Example of How Facebook Can Make Itself Useful

Recent studies shows that Facebook is no longer "cool". Almost half of all teenage Facebook users has quit Facebook for no particular reason. What can Facebook developers make in order to make Facebook become more successful? Well, a new feature called the "Safety Check" is being developed. This new feature started when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in 2011. Since then, developers are making a feature that asks the Facebook users if they are OK. When a natural disaster hits somewhere near you, this feature activates itself in order to make sure you are OK. By checking that you are OK, it informs your friends that you are alright and that there's no need to worry. Also, the author tells us about a possible solution to internet-connectivity. He tells us that many company's such as Google are developing drones and flying objects that beams down free WiFi.

The author of this article, Will Oremus, writes this article in order to inform us about a possible Facebook feature in the future. He uses an informative tone, meaning that there is no emotions during the article. Although it is an informative article, this article is very interesting and kept my attention till the end. He tells us a short story about him and his wife worried about his friend when hurricane sandy hit there homes. By telling us a story, it is very effective because it demonstrates us the benefit of having the new Facebook feature. Overall, this article is interesting and informative, and i would recommend reading it if you're bored.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/10/17/facebook_safety_check_helps_you_find_friends_in_a_disaster.html#

13. How Godparenting Brought Me Into the Family of God

In this article, Amy Julia Becker continues to talk about what she will write in her book "Small Talk." She talks about Katelyn Beaty's story and how she became a godmother. She starts by talking about how Beaty's friends, Sarah and Chris, were expecting a baby, Jesse. And that after a few years, Sarah and Chris expected another child, their daughter, Ruthie. Sarah and Chris asked Beaty to become Ruthies's godmother and Beaty felt very moved. She adds a quote in which Beaty could compare her feelings at the moment with. Beaty felt very happy and she mentions how, by becoming the godmother of Ruthie, she feels like she got closer with Sarah and Chris. How now she feels as if they were more than sisters, in the family of God. Beaty feels like a parent that helps Ruthie grow in faith throughout her living years. Becker also mention about different baptism and how when Ruthie was baptised they said a few words that stayed in Beaker's mind.

Amy Julia Becker, once again, does a good job explaining the story of Katelyn Beaty and how she felt. She adds details from Beaty's story and her feelings. Becker also adds quotes, quotes to connect what Beaty says and quotes from her own books. Becker starts the story by adding the background information. Then, she gets to the main point where she talks about Ruthie. Finally, she summarises what she feels like Ruthie has done to her life. That becoming a godmother isn't about Becker, but about how Ruthie will grow up with God. And that she has also been given the responsibility to take care of Ruthie like her daughter, to act like her parent.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/amyjuliabecker/2014/october/how-godparenting-brought-me-into-family-of-god.html

13. Battle of the Prices: Is It Ever Fair to Charge One Sex More?

            Bourree Lam wrote an article about pricing and if it is fair that sometimes one sex is charged more than the other for the same thing. She opens the article talking about how a hairdresser she went to changed male and female haircut prices to the same amount. She asked him why he made this change, and he said it was because he realized it took the same amount of time for both sexes. She then says economists call this discrimination: “selling the same thing to two different people at different prices, because one is willing to pay more.” She then says sometimes charging one group more is justified because the service is more expensive for one gender, such as cutting a woman’s hair might require more time or skill. She then gives an example of European insurance companies who charged women more because they lived longer. This, however, was changed when the European Court of Justice required insurance companies to charge the same amount to both genders. In the Unites States, gender discrimination is illegal in many states, but different states have different laws for it. There is no federal law that prohibits gender discrimination, but since 2000, 43 states have prohibited it. Despite common thought, women aren’t always charged more. Manicures, for example, are actually more expensive for men, because they require more work. Nightclubs charge men more to balance the events for purposes of dating. In addition, as concert-goer and marketing worker Christopher Sun said, 9 out of 10 men are usually willing to pay more ($5-20) if it guarantees the dance floor will be full of girls and the music will be good. She closes her article by saying gender price discrimination is wrong in either direction, and she would rather not have a free drink in ladies’ might than to have one but have to pay more for dry cleaning.

            The article was informative and critical. Lam uses specific information from studies, nightclub data, and professionals from different fields to add more credibility to her article. In addition to that, she tells of an average man and woman and their thoughts on different prices for nightclub entries. This evidence shows the reader how average people view the situation, and it makes the reader empathize with what the person said. It was also a critical article because she closes her essay by saying she does not agree with gender price discrimination. Her diction is informal to make it easy for the reader to understand what her message is and to persuade them into thinking the same way she does.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/battle-of-the-prices-is-it-ever-fair-to-charge-one-sex-more/381546/?single_page=true

13. For a Better Brain, Learn Another Language

Sometimes it is hard to find a specific word for a feeling or an emotion, however, those who speak more than one language can express themselves in many ways. Because different languages have several words, metaphors, frames and concepts, those who speak multiple languages extend the past. “Speaking different languages means you get different frames, different metaphors, and also you’re learning the culture of the language so you get not only different words, but different types of words.” Bilingual and trilingual people, or those who speak more than one language, tend to score better on tests, they are better at remembering lists and sequences; they are more perceptive of their surroundings and are better at focusing on important information than misleading ones. The theory behind this is that there is a psychological distance when someone speaks a language that is not their mother tongue; there is a less emotional reaction to the second or third language. Dr. Thomas Bak, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, found out that level of education and intelligence mattered less than learning a second language when it came to delaying cognitive decline. “It’s not the good memory that bilinguals have that is delaying cognitive decline,” Bak told me. “It’s their attention mechanism. Their ability to focus in on the details of language.” Polyglots are likely to be good at paying attention in a variety of ways and when multitasking; which is improved by the brain switching between one’s native and foreign language while learning the second language.

The author of this article, Cody C. Delistraty, did a very good job and had an excellent structure for his essay. His introduction had various examples of different words from languages other than English; he explained how those words could be used if a person spoke more than one language. During the body of Delistraty’s article, he gives emphasis on the achievements of people who are bilingual. He also shows that by learning a different language, people learn about a different culture, therefore, they become more opened and more accepting of others. Cody’s conclusion was one of the best conclusions from an article that I ever read. He provided evidence and examples, quoted Dr. Thomas Bak for support, made a statement (that learning a new language can delay cognitive decline). He explained how it’s not too late for anyone; learning a new language helps every brain develop no matter the age. Showed easy ways of how to start or improve their second language and had a motivational conclusion. Cody used informal language and the purpose of his piece was to inform the readers how important a language is and how it can help an individual. From the beginning until the end Delistraty had the reader’s attention; he did not elaborate in words or get of topic. This is what good writing looks like and how an article should be.  

        

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/more-languages-better-brain/381193/2/

13. No, Carrie Bradshaw Was Not 'Such a Whore'

     Even though there are rumors about a third Sex and the City movie, this is not what most fans and women in general are talking about. In a interview with News.com.au Chris Noth, who plays Mr. Big in the show, talked both about his character and about another character in the series: Carrie Bradshaw. However by describing her a "whore" in the interview, Noth is portraying a aged and malicious subject: slut shaming. In the series Mr. Big was very promiscuous, a player, and a cheater; but Noth describes him as "powerful" and"honest." When men are players, they are not humiliated. However, if a women has had several boyfriends in the past she is suddenly considered a "slut". Noth is pointing out something that most men agree upon, the  sexual or love standards for men and women are different. And this is just one more example of sexism. This problem goes much beyond a vague show such as Sex and the City. Women are being slut shamed on the internet, on colleges, and even of grand scales such as the national debate over birth control. So does this mean that if a women wants her right for birth control she is a "slut"? And worst is that, slut shaming is not only a weapon men use, but many women also use it against each other. Noth was not only shaming Carrie Bradshaw, he was using his image to transmit a message that slut shaming is okay. He used the argument that because she is considered a strong and intelligent character in the show, it is fair to humiliate a women in such way. The author points out the ugly history under the term "whore", which has been used as a extreme offense to both objectify and humiliate women over the years. Even though Noth was only making a joke, he actually referred to a dangerous problem in society and worst of all, helped promote it.

     In this article by Kevin O'Keefee, written for The Atlantic, he approaches the subject of slut shaming by using the popular show Sex and the City. For women especially, he is very effective in transmitting his message. Most people that watch the series finds Carrie Bradshaw to be very relatable. Also since most women are victims of such humiliations they take a stand on O'Keefee's argument. She uses the article mostly to inform and report a social problem that runs in several parts of life. By using examples in extremes such as slut shaming is used from the internet to national debates, help the reader understand the scale of the problem. His informal and common language also makes the article appeal more for the emotional of the reader.

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/10/no-chris-noth-carrie-bradshaw-was-not-such-a-whore/381482/

13. South Carolina Says “Stand Your Ground” Law Doesn’t Apply to Abused Women

The author begins this article by explaining South Carolina's "stand your ground" law that can help someone get immunity from prosecution if they claim that they killed another person in self-defense. However, ,many cases have shown that this law in unfairly applied. Prosecutors have been trying to argue thata woman's right to 'stand her ground' in a case of domestic abuse is less that if a man 'stands his ground' in a fight with a random stranger. She uses the example of Whitlee Jones who killed her boyfriend Eric Lee. One of the neighbors had called the cops to report Lee for assaulting Jones when they saw Lee pulling a screaming Jones inside the house by her hair. Hours before the cops showed up, Lee stabbed him and fled. The prosecutors do not believe that 'stand your ground' law should be applied to Lee or any domestic situations. They didn'y say anything, however, when a man killed an innocent bystander when he was pointing his gun at what he called 'women thugs.' The author says that this implies that one person has more 'right' to protect themselves than someone else. She does admit that this law can bring a lot of problems, but if South Carolina insists on having them, they must atleast be applied evenly and correctly.
The purpose of Amanda Marcotte's article is to explain how unfair South Carolina's 'stand your ground' law is. In the beginning she explains that this law can bring a lot of problems because it makes it easier for violent people, male or female, to provoke arguments and not worry about consequences. Having said this, she proceeds to explain how this has affected women. She includes reports of women who have been charged of murder for 'self-defense' even though this law exists. Marcotte includes a more detailed example of Eric Lee and Whitlee Jones. She also provides statistics about women suffering from domestic abuse, which gives her credibility. At the end she adds that although this law is not completely correct, it shouldn't mean that men confronting strangers have more rights than women facing the dangers of domestic violence. The language of this article is more complex, indicating an older audience.

#13 "In New York City, Sunday Night Is for Regulars"

           New York City has changed a lot since its old days. Well known as a city that never sleeps, New York displays a diversity of people. Diners and bars during weekends are always packed and the different and energized young people dominate it. However, is the old, relaxed New York long gone? The answer is no, the old New York is not gone, just “hiding in the shadows”. In Sunday nights, old New York can be found. It’s not a place, but rather a time. The weekend is a time for fun and relaxation. However, unlike the old times, regulars and old New Yorkers are hard to be found on Saturday nights. Saturday nights are for the youngsters and college students. It’s for the lively ones. However, the native New Yorkers can be seen during Sunday nights. Why is that so? Well, first of all, Saturday nights are packed with the young people. To enter a diner or a bar, waiting in line is a must do. Everything is so loud and extravagant. However, on Sundays, the young ones are gone, getting ready for the week. That’s when the old New Yorkers appear, appreciating the quiet and calm New York City, that resembles the old times, when things were quite different.

           The author, Annie Correal, writes about New York City, then and now. She describes how the old New York is still present in the midst of the busy, chaotic New York City today. To emphasize her point that old New York City can be found on Sunday nights, she supports her article with anecdotes and happening from different parts of the city. She adds a story from Little Italy, Hell’s Kitchen, The Bowery, The East Harlem, and The East Village. In these accounts, Correal’s main point is continuously stated. All the stories are about native New Yorkers who appreciate the Sunday night rather than Saturday nights. Overall, Correal’s tone is very light and simple, being easy to understand. Her vocabulary and language are easy to comprehend and also captivated the attention of the readers. Her article in general is very informative and intriguing; it’s a lightweight, interesting piece for all readers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/nyregion/after-saturday-night-a-bit-of-old-new-york-can-still-be-found.html?_r=0

13. "New Zealand for Beginners"

The article begins in first person, with the narrator describing the beginning of his experiences in New Zealand. It continues in first person throughout the whole essay, which tells of the author's adventures in full detail. The author went skiing, ate plenty of food, and drove up the picturesque mountains during his 72-hour visit to New Zealand. Drape also explained the purpose of his trip; to find out about professional skiers and snowboarders and why they migrate to the south island of New Zealand every summer. The jumps and stomach-churning half-pipes are the perfect attraction for anyone who enjoys skiing. The author spends two paragraphs explaining his own personal interest for the sport. Drape also writes about a hotel in which he gained more knowledge about the history of the sport and the country. The author closes the article by tying it to the introduction, and giving background information about his new acquaintance.
The very descriptive details provide sensory language, describing the temperature, tastes, sights, and smells. The author uses similes and varied language to help enrich his writing. Drape gives many details that draw in the reader's attention to the peaceful sights and friendly people. The conclusion and essay in general was very effective in that it explained the wonderful experiences that Drape had in New Zealand. The finishing paragraphs are tied to the introduction, which is a well-used and effective writer's technique. Drape gives the last touch to the perfect weekend article, about his time spent in the souther alps.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/travel/new-zealand-for-beginners.html?ref=travel