Semester 1: Blog VI

Article 1: Painkiller Deathstreak

"On the Xbox 360 controller, which looks like a catamaran, there are seventeen possible points of contact. There’s the left trigger and the right trigger, the left bumper and the right bumper, two mushroom-shaped joysticks, a circular four-way pad, two small white buttons, each with triangles molded into them, and a silver dome in the middle that glows green when you press it. Then, there are the very important colored buttons: the blue X, the green A, the red B, and the yellow Y. (...) In order to run, crouch, aim, fire, pause, leap, speak, stab, grab, kick, dismember, unlock, crawl, climb, parry, roll, or resuscitate a fallen comrade, you must press or nudge or woggle these various buttons, singly or in combination, performing tiny feats of exactitude that are different for each game."

1. I appreciate the neutral approach to the subject matter the writer makes in his article. He attempts to keep as far away as possible from the common biases found in video game journalism. He also strives to explain the subject matter as bluntly as possible, both to inform those unfamiliar with it and to give those who are a unique take on a subject they take for granted at this point.

2.  The author's bias towards a lack of bias subtly influences the reader's own personal biases. The readers find themselves leaning towards the neutral side of the issue, and they're able to view these things with a new perspective.

3. I might use this approach by approaching a common issue from an uncommon viewpoint, forcing readers to challenge their own views.

Article 2: Death of An Innocent

"'It was hard to be absolutely sure,' Samel says. 'I stood on a stump, reached through a back window, and gave the bag a shake. There was definitely something in it, but whatever it was didn't weigh much. It wasn't until I walked around to the other side and saw a head sticking out that I knew for certain what it was.' Chris McCandless had been dead for some two and a half weeks. "

1. I appreciate the early hook the author uses to draw his readers in. This portion of the article is near the beginning, much earlier than if the story had been told entirely chronologically. But since he places this exciting and intriguing portion near the beginning, it serves as an effective draw.

2. By including an enticing hook early in the article, the author draws in his readers, enticing them to continue reading.

3. I will definitely include a hook early in my story to keep readers drawn in.

Article 3: Consider the Lobster

"Is it all right to boil a sentient creature alive just for our gustatory pleasure? A related set of concerns: Is the previous question irksomely PC or sentimental? What does “all right” even mean in this context? Is it all just a matter of individual choice?"

1. I appreciate the author's intent on covering a controversial subject, in this case the live boiling of Lobsters.

2. This action forces the readers to consider what may be an uncomfortable issue for them, especially if they have eaten Lobster in the past.

3. I may use controversial subjects to confront my reader with thoughts they are uncomfortable with.