Sunday, January 31, 2016

Evaluation of New York Times Stories


TBIT, "Jupiter Sky Space Planet Universe" 15/10/31 via pixabay
Public Domain Dedication License

1. Does there seem to be a "main character" or "protagonist" to the story? If so, who is it and how are they are the "center" of the story? If not, are there any important or central characters in the story at all? What role do they play?

Within the story "In Iowa, Jobs Are Plentiful but Workers Are Not", writer Patricia Choen focuses on major players in local Iowan businesses, such as Workiva and Kemin Industries.

"Signs of Modern Astronomy Seen in Ancient Babylon" sees Kenneth Chang reporting on a discovery that ancient Babylonian astronomers described Jupiter's movements across the sky centuries before European astronomers were credited with the practice.

2. Where do the specific events in the story take place? Is there a specific setting? Describe the settings for the stories and how they influence the plot and characters.

In "In Iowa", Choen addresses the lack of job growth in Iowa. Choen notes that while unemployment levels Iowa are among the lowest in the nation, wage levels are stagnant. In addition to low migration, Choen attributes these factors as being the chief causes of Iowa's labor shortage.

"Signs" covers an Babylonian archaeological discovery by German professor Mathieu Ossendrijver. By studying a Babylonian clay tablet dated over two millennia in the past, Ossendrijver realized Babylonian astronomers were tracking the movement of Jupiter, due to their association of the planet with their god Marduk. They had made the connection that the distance a planet covers over time is in relation to its distance traveled, centuries before European astronomers were credited with the discovery.

3. Is there any kind of disagreement or debate happening in the story? If so, who is participating, why are people debating and what seems to be at stake for the different characters in the story?

Both stories show their characters being in assent with the article's findings.

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