Saturday, October 13, 2007

Module 3

1. This week, continuing our research into how blogs are used and whether they have an impact on print media, let's look at a pre-cursor to the blog that you read about in your text, the e-zine. E-zines are magazines published on-line. One might call the blogging equivalent to the e-zine the news blog. For this weeks assignment, find a news or current events oriented e-zine as well as a news or current events oriented blog and compare and contrast the two.
E-zine: http://www.bestezines.com/?Where-Did-My-America-Go?&id=4186
Blog: http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/09/26/why-the-rumors-of-the-gops-imminent-demise-are-misguided/
Although they both may share the fact that they deal with news and current events, they have many differences. Oddly enough I expected the e-zine article to be more factual and professional, but can't decide. The blog presents actual evidence, facts, and quotes. The e-zine article is almost an advertisement to get people to support their movement against a lot of things that are going on in America.

2. Summarize each of the 2 research links you found above.
The e-zine article expresses one's frustrations with America. It points out varieties of failures ranging from Iraq, gas prices, the children of today, violence, and politics. The author emphasizes that we are no longer a proud America but a joke, and we need to do something about it.
The blog article discusses the falling of gas prices and it's effects. The consumer sentiment for September came in significantly higher because of this. It has definitely brightened the mood of Americans and made them feel better about the economy as well as every time they go to pump their gas.

3. Compare and contrast the blog to the e-zine. Which do you feel was more professional and effective?
I actually felt like the blog was more professional and effective because it gave figures and even had a quote. Because of this I definitely think that it made it more effective out of the two.

Which was easier to find on the Internet?
The e-zine article was easier to find for me.

Which was easier to read?
I think that they both were easy to read. They both are filled with common language which does not make them overbearing or confusing. I suppose if I had to choose, I think that the e-zine was slightly easier to read.

Did they both cover the same current events?
No. The e-zine dealt with America and many of the things going on in the country right now. The blog focused on gas prices.

Did you feel they were credible or trustworthy?
Actually yes. I felt like the way that they were both presented made me feel like the author really knew what he was talking about.

Would you be more likely to feel a print source such as a newspaper or magazine was more credible than a blog? Than an e-zine? Why?
No. Despite how much I think I could believe the source, an actual newspaper or magazine article is still probably the best route just to make sure that all of the facts are straight.

4. Did the research material you found support or not support your original thesis (posted in module 1)? To help you quantify your research, rate the preceding question on a scale of 1 to 5.
3 Neither supported nor unsupported my thesis.


5. After doing this module, have do you wish to change your original thesis statement?
No.

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