22. Mother of youngest Sandy Hook victim gives interview

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/27/mother_of_youngest_sandy_hook_victim_gives_interview/

In Natasha Lennard's article, "Mother of youngest Sandy Hook victim gives interview," she describes the feeling of Veronique Pozner, the mother of the youngest victim of Sandy Hook massacre. Lennard shows the shock of a mother who lost her child through the article she wrote. She starts by describing how the young Noah Pozner, the victim, was. Noah was an intelligent and bright children who was curious about everything. Then she shows Veronique Pozner's feelings and reactions of when she heard the news of the death of her son. Lennard is able to show the trauma and deep sorrow the mother felt. "Noah’s famously long eyelashes, which she spoke about in her eulogy, rested lightly on his cheeks and a cloth covered the place where his lower jaw had been."She ends her article by describing the corpse of the young boy's body and his mother's words in her son's funeral.

Lennard's purpose in writing this article is to describe a mother's feeling toward this massacre, especially having her own son being the victim. He also wishes to reveal to the audience the sadness of such a case occurring. The audience is people who wishes to know about what happened and to show that they feel sorry about what happened. Lennard describes and informs Veronique Pozner's feeling in losing Noah Pozner, her son.

21. Android surge shakes Apple

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/27/android_surge_shakes_apple/

In Alex Halperin's article, "Android surge shakes Apple," he reveals the danger Apple is facing in falling behind Android. Halperin starts out by referring to a previous case which happened in Beijing, China where the Apple iPad sales were too low. He continues by showing reports which shows Apple "a gravitational pull on app developers." He also interviewed a former graphics engineer at Apple who, even though he favors Apple, he feels that Android is slowly catching up. Halperin shows that iPhone 5 is the most sold phone in the US, however Android does not fall back with Samsung Galaxy SIII as the best selling phone ever. He also states that Apple are barely able to keep up. Their tablets are the best ones, but they could easily lose the spot of best sold tablets. Halperin ends his article by stating, "It’s foolish to look too deeply into a stock but it may be fair to say that since consumers now have options, investors might want them too." He means that Apple must start taking this problem more seriously and take serious measures. 

The author's purpose in writing this article is to reveal to people that Apple is slowly falling behind Android. There was not only one case which shows the droppings Apple faced, but more times. His audience are people who are interested in technology affairs and those who wants to know about the relationship between Apple and Android. Halperin wrote this article to inform these people about the problems happening between these two companies who both wish to sell the most and get the most sales.

22. 2012: Global warming became reality

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/26/2012_global_warming_became_reality/

Seth Borenstein wrote an article on December 26^th about how global warming’s effects have been clearly seen especially throughout the year of 2012. He gives numerous examples of how climate changes have affected the world and has set new records, everything has gone to the extremes. Borenstein said how long lasting and widespread droughts have occurred throughout the United States and how flooding has also devastated many countries around the world. He said how tornadoes have been occurring more often and temperatures have skyrocketed. This rise in temperature has caused a large amount of ice to melt which affects the weather of the entire world. With increase in droughts, wildfires become prevalent and the combination of all these events collectively “provides confirmation of precisely what climate scientists predicted would happen decades ago if we proceeded with business-as-usual fossil fuel burning.” Borenstein ends his article with a warning: “What we view today as unprecedented extreme weather will become the new normal in a matter of decades if we proceed with business-as-usual.”

The purpose of the author in writing this article was to inform his readers that global warming is a reality and has worsened dramatically and to persuade those who don’t think it has had any effects on global weather. Seth Borenstein uses many quotes from many experts in order to persuade his audience with credible information. He uses a large amount of examples of devastating climatic events which have occurred around the world to support his ideas as well. His tone is formal and language is objective, filled with statistics in order to persuade his readers. With these devices, the author is effective in presenting his ideas and persuading his audience to recognize the reality of global warming and its effects around the world.

20. In Psychiatric Illness, Families Must Be Our First Responders

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/12/in-psychiatric-illness-families-must-be-our-first-responders/266628/

In Lloyd Sederer's article, "In Psychiatric Illness, Families Must Be Our First Responders," she discusses about the recent tragic Newtown massacre and some possible changes which should happen. Sederer starts out her article by revealing her opinion about gun control. She states that as a psychiatrist, she feels that those who cause these happenings, the criminals, are most likely to be mentally ill. By having gun control it won't help solve the problem, the measures which must be taken is to find these mentally ill people and possibly cure them. Sederer states that those who are most likely to find them are their families. Family are the first people to find a difference in behavior or character. However, other people, such as doctors, don't sense these change, therefore, don't think it is necessary to cure them. Sederer shows that to avoid cases like the Newtown massacre, people must take action to avoid people with mental illness in becoming a criminal. "Let's involves these families in engineering the most effective systems for involving their early warnings, using their leverage with their loved ones, and capitalizing on their ongoing support of the treatments that, if delivered early and consistently, will reduce the risks for tragic events." She ends her article by revealing that families must be supported and taken seriously so that tragedies won't happen again.

The author's purpose in writing this article is to reveal a new measure which people should take to avoid tragedies, such as the Newtown massacre. She wishes that people may take measurer and precautions, so that no sad occurrences may happen again. Sederer's audience are other psychiatrist or doctors who must watch out for these sick patients and possibly cure them. It could avoid them from becoming criminals. Sederer wishes that people might take action and nothing like the Newtown massacre may happen again.

21. Fighting Poverty By Giving Poor People Money

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/12/25/give_directly_the_new_charity_that_fights_money_by_giving_poor_people_money.html

Matthew Yglesias posted on December 25th about "most underrated tool around for fighting poverty": giving money to poor people. The author opens his article by saying how he himself sent money to a charity that gives the money to poor families then urged his readers to do the same. He recognizes the opposing arguments that the money could be used on booze or tobacco and that the people who conduct the charity could gain large percentage of the donations, but he gives the percentages of the funds that reach the recipients and the percentage of the funds that go overhead. Yglesias also says that by giving poor families money, it will improve the community's economic state by increasing trade.

The author's purpose in writing this article is to persuade his readers to consider this type of charity and donate money to these institutions. He uses his personal experience to show how he has engaged in the donations. He also gives the percentages of where the money goes to and explains how the institutions are not stealing money from the funds. Yglesias also uses a quote which supports his view in favor of giving money to the poor, however he doesn't give that person qualifications. His arguments are logical and he is successful in achieving his purpose,but he should have gone further to convince a more opposing audience.

20. North Korea Rocket Might Have Western United States in its Range

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2012/12/23/north_korea_missile_could_hit_western_united_states.html

Daniel Politi wrote an article on December 23rd about North Korea’s status in missile technology. He says that according to South Korean officials, debris from a test rocket launch show that the North Koreans have the capability of firing a missile that could reach more than 6,200 miles away, an area which includes the United States. However, Politi reassures his readers that they don’t have the technology to deliver a nuclear strike through that missile. In addition, South Korean officials believe the North Koreans could have connections with Iran judging from the remains of the rocket. Politi says how this launch test has been a “huge boost to young leader Kim Jong-un” and that the “scientists and technicians involved in the development of the rocket” were greatly rewarded.

The author’s purpose in writing this article was to inform his readers about North Korean missile technology, but reassuring them that no nuclear attack will occur in the near future. Politi quotes several people and credible sources which make his information more reliable. He provides more information surrounding the subject, yet is successful in keeping the article short and easier to read.

20. "Say a Prayer": The Heartbreaking Scene in Newtown on the Night of the Shooting

http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2012/12/14/newtown_school_shooting_the_heartbreaking_scene_on_the_night_of_the_shooting.html

Justin Peters writes on December 14th a remarkable essay of the night of the shooting of Newtown, this past friday. He begins his essay showing how many people and places have been holding services and prayer vigils though out the night, and how people are moaning for their losses. Peters also says that the senator Richard Blumenthal has very strong set of words when he expresses his condolences for the families, by saying "There's a saying: a picture is worth 1,000 words, This picture is worth many more than 1,000words." Peters also says a very strong, shocking bu still true statement when he states a verse in the bible saying that good triumphs over evil and Death and Hades are thorn into a pool of fire. He says that while the priest was talking about the event, tears start rolling from his eyes, and he asks "What was it like inside?" meaning during the sooting how was the scene inside the school. 

In this article Peters writes and essay after the night of the shooting. He shows condolences when using his words. He satiates with a very sympathetic and thankful tone of voice that churches and local community centers are hosting prayer vigils for the families and friends of the lost lives in Newtown. In Peters essay, he uses many quotes and references to reenforce his essay. He has many strong quotes and explanations to show how things are not going to well in Newtown. In his last paragraph he says that while he was writing this at a Dunkin Dounuts close to the shooting and says that there were people who were arguing at the top of their throats weather or not to allow guns, while there where people moaning the loss of their loved ones. This statement wraps up his essay very well, because even though he was showing the case that was happening in Newtown, he also shows the side of people that others don't see. By using this example he shows how the shooting didn't only affect families who lost their kids, but also the community as a whole.