New York City Diabetes Ad Features Altered Photo To Make Man An Amputee

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/new-york-city-diabetes-ad-amputee_n_1230844.html

A poster was released in New York City featuring a man with an amputated leg promoting against growing fast food portion sizes. It was then found out that the man in the photograph actually had his leg and that the photo was altered. This news story was featured all of the country when it was found out that the photograph was changed. It made major new on Yahoo! as well as other news media sites. Read the article and answer one of the questions based off this article.

Choose at least one question to analyze:

1. What are some benefits and consequences of using Photoshop and/or actors in advertising?

2. How does the tone of the article persuade the reader?

3. How does the author relate the photo with diabetes?

4. How does the quotes help to build the main theme of the article?

5. How does the use of color in the ad effect how viewers see and retain the information?

6. How do the tone and the information of the article affect how viewers now see diabetes? Is diabetes truly on the rise?

Whitney Houston voice of post-civil rights era

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-215_162-57377662/whitney-houston-voice-of-post-civil-rights-era/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Whitney Houston was one of the most popular singers in the 1980's. She was popular for her ability to hit just about any note she looked with timeless class. She will go down into history as one of the most influential female Black artists of all time. Her ability to combine shocking vocals and the style of the 80's made her a hit. She was also a poster child for drug abuse and relapse. Her sudden death at age 48 has shocked the nation. Read the article below and refer to the questions as you write your comments.

After reading the article, try to answer at least one of the following questions:

1. How does the author express the influence of Whitney Houston on American culture by looking back on the history and Houston’s life?

2. How does the author use the example that Whitney sings the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XXV to support his argument?

3. How do the words and the way the author writes the article help paint the reader an image of Whitney? 

4. What is the structure of the whole article and what is the purpose of the author to set up such structure?

5. How does the author portray Whitney's accomplishments and her contributions to the American Music Culture?

"Locks of Love"

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/school-suspends-cancer-survivior-teen-over-hair-plans-160537479.html

J.T. Gaskins is a survivor of leukemia, and recently decided to grow out his hair with plans to donate it to locks of love. However, he was suspended from school last week because the length of his hair is not “well-maintained.” His mother, Christa Plante fully supports her son’s decision to grow out his hair. Locks of love respects J.T. for his efforts to give back, but would like to see him going back to school.

Use the following questions as guidelines:

1.     What message is the school giving out by suspending J.T. for his actions?

2.     What does this article say about gender roles in today’s society?

3.     How does this article, along with the petition’s success, affect the awareness of cancer charities?

4.     How does the wording and quotes used in the article help make Gaskins look like he is doing the right thing (the “good guy”) when the school makes him look like he is doing something wrong thing (the “bad guy”)?