Compare/Contrast Stories

President Barack Obama recently unveiled his health bill plan.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg and David M. Herszenhorn wrote an article about it for the New York Times.

CNN.com has an article that was contributed by Dana Bash, Lisa Desjardins, Kristi Keck, Suzanne Malveaux, Alan Silverleib, and Deirdre Walsh.

The New York Times article highlights what the article is about in the first paragraph.

Strengths:

Gets to the point with what the article is about.

Quotes from Republicans who oppose the bill were given.

A link to Obama's health care proposal is an option.

A back story with one of the writers, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, can be heard by clicking on the play button. The interview is a good source of multimedia and provides even more information for readers.

A link to a discussion is provided below the back story for readers to interact with others and give their own opinion.

Related topics are provided.

Ability to share this story through email or other social networks is provided.

Very informative.

Weaknesses:

Only one picture of Obama is seen throughout the article.

No videos of Obama, his staff, or analysts critiquing the plan.

Only Stolberg was interviewed. A different perspective besides the co-author of the story would have made the article even stronger.


The CNN article offers more options in terms of providing more information on Obama's health plan.

It's strengths are:

A direct link is provided to the blueprint Obama offered. The article also provides key bullet points about the health care plan.

CNN provides a power-point right above the article. It offers eight captions with brief, important information on the health plan. Photos are provided for each caption as well.

To the left at the beginning of the article, story highlights are present. They are simply a preview of what to expect to read.

Next to paragraphs 6,7,and 8, there are two videos: one of Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, and of CNN analysts expressing concern about the bill.

Quotes of those who oppose the bill were given.

Links to related topics are provided.

Viewer comments are at the bottom of the page.

Ability to share this article either through email or through social networks is provided.

Overall, a lot of strengths. Information is abundant.

Weaknesses:
The major issue in passing a bill has been the disagreement between Democrats and Republicans. I feel by not having a video of Republicans who oppose this plan would have made this article stronger.