"When Athletes Go Gluten Free" By Gretchen Reynolds -New York Times Health
1. Does there seem to be a main character or protagonist to the story? If so, who is it and how are they the center of the story? If not, are there any important or central characters to the story at all? What role do they play?
There are a few "main characters" in this New York Times story: Dana Lis (Ph.D. candidate) and her colleagues from the University of Tasmania in Australia/Canadian Sport Institute Pacific in British Columbia, and 13 competitive cyclists. These people are the central characters because the story summarizes a study conducted by Ms. Lis and her colleagues where the cyclists are presented with diets containing different levels of gluten.
2. Where do the specific events in the story take place? Is there a specific setting? Describe the settings for the story and how it influences the plot and characters.
It is not specifically said where the study takes place, but we can assume that it is either in Australia in close proximity to the University of Tasmania, or in British Columbia. They have to be conducting the study in a place that is biker-friendly, since the cyclists have a customized schedule that they all must follow. Other than that, I don't think the setting would affect the study much at all.
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?
Ms. Lis and her colleagues are trying to either prove or disprove the "gluten-free" fad that has been popular around the world. Part of the introduction to the story notes that only 13% of people who follow gluten-free diets have actually been diagnosed by a medical professional, so that implies that they are trying to disprove the notion that going gluten-free will have any effect on the average athlete's health and performance. Since only 13 cyclists were studied, no official conclusion can really be drawn, but the results of the study suggested that gluten intake has no effect on athletic performance for these 13 cyclists.
"Gas Leak in Los Angeles Has Residents Looking Warily Toward Flint" By Ian Lovett -New York Times Science
1. Does there seem to be a main character or protagonist to the story? If so, who is it and how are they the center of the story? If not, are there any important or central characters to the story at all? What role do they play?
The main characters in this story are the residents of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood near LA, specifically David Balen, John Mikaili, and many others who were interviewed. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (specifically those named in the article), Erin Brockovich, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are all central characters as well because they are all involved in the gas leak controversy. Brockovich and Kennedy are both environmental health advocates who were lending a hand to the Porter Ranch community, encouraging the residents to file a lawsuit against the LA Department of Public Health.
2. Where do the specific events in the story take place? Is there a specific setting? Describe the settings for the story and how it influences the plot and characters.
The setting in the story is mainly in Los Angeles, but there are also references to Flint, Michigan, Hinkley, California, and Charleston, West Virginia because these are all places that have experienced similar disasters in the past. The suburban setting of Porter Ranch, Los Angeles has a major influence on the story because it is a fairly wealthy and well-known area of the country. Families and individuals move to neighborhoods like this one in order to feel secure and confident that disasters like this won't happen.
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?
There is absolutely a disagreement in the story. In short, the Health Department deemed the air in Porter Ranch safe for the residents, even though it may "cause vomiting, nose-bleeds, and other minor symptoms, there will be no long-term health effects. The citizens do not believe what the Department is telling them, and are taking action against the city. Obviously the city of Los Angeles has a lot at stake (money, reputation, multiple civil suits, federal regulations, etc) but the citizens are convinced that their health and well-being is at stake, which is much more important. As of now, the leak continues to spew methane (among other chemicals) into the air, and will not be plugged until late February.
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