Evaluation of News Magazine Stories

Elvis Galery "elvis-presley-elvis-presley-22316485-2250-2533" 02/10/2014 via flickr.com
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Elvis Presley on TV: 10 Unforgettable Broadcasts

Elvis Presley was THE icon of the late 50's and early 60's. He changed the music industry; he added a sex appeal that had never been seen before. He was an innovator, yet many people, at the time, chose to see his performances as inappropriate and not suitable for the young audience who were watching. His unforgettable dance moves and beautiful voice will live on for decades, whether it be in infamy or not.

• What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.

• This article recalls specific instances in which Elvis Presley made appearances on television, beginning with his very first appearance on January 28th, 1956. His first national debut on a program called Stage Show, his content consisted of mostly cover songs and a few originals. The debut that threw him into the spotlight was his next national television spot on The Milton Berle Show, June 5th, 1956. It was his rather sexual dance moves during his song "Hound Dog" that made his name a famous, or infamous, house hold name. His later appearances, mostly all in 1956, only furthered his career, however, his performances in the 1970's marked his downfall from fame, mostly at the fault of drugs. Essentially, this is the story of his rise to fame through lewdness, and his fall through drugs and addiction.

• Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?

• Elvis is obviously written to be the character that invokes the most sympathy from the reader. As the main character, and the famous protagonist, the reader obviously wants to root for him. The trials and tribulations he went through in order to get to where he is, the death of his twin brother especially, definitely brought out my sympathetic side.

• Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?

• I don't really feel a specific person has been written to be villainous or not sympathetic. More like, the results of fame and the coping mechanisms the come along with it. Elvis's drug addiction clearly was the cause of his eventual fall from fame and death. In a sense, IT is the villain in this story.

Luff, Stephen "Bowie" 08/06/2014 via flickr.com
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David Bowie Changed My Life

Another icon of the music industry, David Bowie was a man of many strange outfits and personalities. From his alter ego "Ziggy Stardust" to his generation effecting song "Hero's", Bowie brought a new edge to the music industry. His odd and "out there" personality started a new movement to be unique in an industry that demands conformity. He is an inspiration to not only other artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga, but also to any kid who feels left out or just needs someone to tell them it's okay to be different.

• What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.

• This article chronicles a young boy's discovery of David Bowie and his music. From his appearance on The Top of the Pops in 1972 to his face to face encounter with him around 1999, the author had stuck with Bowie through the good and bad (albums). The author argues that only a true fan like himself could have done that, claiming if he were to appear on a game show, his specialty would be "Lyrics of David Bowie 1969 to 1979". Not one negative thing is mentioned about the legend, the author does not even discuss the artist's death in early January. Instead, he chooses to focus on the positive effect he had on the author's life.

• Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?

• This is not a story full of sorrow; it is not to remember the life and times of David Bowie, or how and when he fell ill. However, it is still entirely possible to feel sympathetic to the happy and remembering feelings of the author.

• Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?

• I personally feel that David Bowie is the least sympathetic character in this story. Because the author is not discussing the life of Bowie per-say, there is no need to feel sympathy for his feelings.