ENGLISH CLASSES

Althoynan g.doc

Eng329 Walter Reed Assignment

Deconstructing The Washington Post’s Walter Reed Army hospital Story

NOTE:SUBMITONLYYOUR ANSWER PAGE OR PAGES.NOT THE WHOLEDOCUMENT.

Name:	Mohammed
	Althonyan

80

Mohammad:

Good job overall. Go over all the comments (and on other assignments as well) to make sure you understand the comments in preparation for the final exam.

1. Upon reading the said paragraph, it is evident that the reporters are using the News Literacy concept termed as “Says who” so as to tell the readers the manner in which they got to source the information featured within the article. It is for that reason that within the paragraphs it is clearly stated the information featured in the article was compiled by a duo of Washington Post reports after they visited the Walter Reed hospital and interviewed several soldiers, veteran aid groups, family members, as well as, current along with former staff members. Given that some of those interviewed have been name while others have not, it is evident that the author’s facts are based on both named, as well as, unnamed sources. One of the named sources is Marine Sgt. Ryan Groves. This affects my conclusion concerning the reliability of the story in that I have been able to establish the type of persons who provided the information and on the basis that the reporters have used direct sources it will be outright to consider the whole story as reliable.

THE CONCEPT IS CALLED TRANSPARENCY. “SAYS WHO” WAS THE TITLE ON THE POWERPOINT SECTION ABOUT EVALUATING SOURCES.

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2. The reporters attempts to provide context by the views of various parties concerning the situation at Walter Reed. In that regard, the reporter has quoted the clinical social worker, Joe Wilson who says that “It creates resentment and disenfranchisement, "These soldiers will withdraw and stay in their rooms. They will actively avoid the very treatment and services that are meant to be helpful." The reporters have also given the views of other individuals who have first hand information concerning the matter such as the national service officer, Danny Soto, who says that “soldiers get awesome medical care and their lives are being saved," but, "Then they get into the administrative part of it and they are like,' You saved me for what?'The soldiers feel like they are not getting proper respect. This leads to anger." The reporters go on to feature President Bush’s views concerning the facility. In addition, the reporters have given the soldiers’ views as compiled Walter Reed. To expound the matter further, the report narrates the story of Vera Heron who had to taken care of her who was admitted within the facility. In this part, the issue of conflict of interests has really affected the aforementioned parties’ perception about the operations within the facility. CONTEXT IS BACKGROUND, HISTORY, STATISTICS, LARGER PICTURE INFORMATION THAT PUT THE IMMEDIATE FOCUS OF THE STORY (IN THIS CASE POOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE INJURED VETS) IN PERSPECTIVE. SO YOU ARE RIGHT IN CITING WILSON AND PRESIDENT BUSH. BUT HERON IS DIRECT EVIDENCE OF THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM, NOT CONTEXT.

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3. The reporters created fairness, as well as, balance within the story by presenting to the readers the explanation of the Walter Reed’s commander, Maj. Gen. George GET CORRECT LAST NAMEon why soldiers were not been discharged as quickly as it could be done. George seems to allege the most problems have been brought about by the fact that it was the first time the country had got into a war WITH ALL VOLUNTEERS after a long period since the Revolution . This is in accordance to his quote that, "because this is the first time this country has fought a war for so long with an all-volunteer force since the Revolution." In addition, the reports have ensured fairness by outlining the bureaucratic battles that have been taking place within Walter Reed. In fact they are fair enough to mention that the facility had been opened up as early as 1909 and despite the fact that it had projected that it was to be closed by 2011, it continued to receive more and more casualties as at 2005.GOOD

4. Two direct evidence sources are such as that of Shannon who had to provide his Purple Heart to the supply clerk so as to ascertain that he was actually in Iraq once he tried to replace his bloody uniform. The other example is the unnamed source who was a combat medic in Iraq but had to forward letters along with photos of herself while in Iraq as a prove that she had been there because there were no records showing her service.GOOD

5. The reporters get the information by visiting Walter Reed where they get to see for themselves what soldiers such as Sgt. Archie Benware go through. Besides, from their visit, they get to learn that the injured soldiers have to attend formations. In addition, they have also obtained their information by interviewing the staff such as Wilson, who is a clinical social worker. THE INTERVIEW WAS NOT “OPENING THE FREEZER” WHICH MEANS WHEN REPORTERS GET TO SEE EVIDENCE THEMSELVES (SUCH AS BEING AT THE FORMATION).On the other hand, the reporters can be said to have opened the freezer by publishing such an article. NO. OPENING THE FREEZER REFERS SPECIFICALLY TO THE TECHNIQUE IN REPORTING WHERE REPORTERS SEE THINGS FOR THEMSELVES, NOT JUST HEAR ABOUT THEM OR REPORT WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT IT. This is due to the fact that they have revealed the ‘rot’ which is within the Walter Reed for the readers to scrutinize. Besides, they have gone on to point out a scenario whereby funds which were provided to make some improvements on the facility mysteriously became unavailable. Moreover, they publicize the manner in which the soldiers live in poor conditions as the place is vested by rodents in addition to the non-functioning elevators and garage doors.

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6. A. Maj.Gen.GeorgeW.Weightman is a reliable source because he is Singular in that he is the only one saying it, Verifies the information he is giving by giving figures, well Informed about what is taking place in Walter Reed, and he is quoted by Name. HE IS SELF-INTERESTED AS THE COMMANDER AND IS AUTHORITATIVE.

B. Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon is a reliable source because he is a Multiple source in that he is part of others who have narrated their sad incidents within Walter Reed, Verifies the information he is giving by giving details of what he went through, well Informed about what is taking place in Walter Reed, and he is quoted by Name. HE IS SELF-INTERESTED.

C. Wilson, the clinical social worker, is a reliable source because he is Singular in that he is the only one saying it, Verifies the information he is giving by giving figures, well Informed about what is taking place in Walter Reed, and he is quoted by Name.HE IS SELF INTERESTED.

D. One unnamed amputee is not a reliable source because he is Singular in that he is the only one saying it, Verifies the information he is giving by explaining his incident, well Informed about what is taking place in Walter Reed, but he is Unnamed.HE IS SELF-INTERESTED

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THOSE TELLING THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY ARE SELF-INTERESTED. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEIR INFORMATION IS INACCURATE BUT IT IS A FACTOR TO WEIGH WHEN DECIDING THEIR CREDIBILITY.

7. The report under review can be considered as reliable. This is due to the fact that the reports have obtained a greater percentage of their information from sources which are reliable. Moreover, most of the evidence obtained from the sources can be verified because they have provided sufficient evidence. Besides, some of the sources who can be considered to have personal interests such as Maj.Gen.GeorgeW.Weightman have acknowledged the fact that there are problems been experienced within the facility. In that regard, I make the conclusion that the situation within Walter Reed is wanting and in need of quick action from the relevant authorities.