So, the assignment for tomorrow is to find a feature article and write about it in here. I've chosen one from last Tuesday's Science Times - look here for the full article, or copy/paste the following link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/science/30angi.html

So, this is really a fun article. It's part narrative and part human-interest profile, while also addressing the issue of science education in high school.

The author starts by asking the reader some questions that students in the class under profile have probably answered - and likely, these are questions that most audiences will have to think about seriously before arriving at an answer. After that introduction to the feature, she goes on to talk about the state of science education according to authorities such as the American Institute of Physics. She even answers the questions posed at the beginning of the piece.

Then, she goes into the real feature part of the piece with some narrative writing that really puts the reader into the classroom. The white lab coat seems to be the author's favorite visual reference, as it comes up numerous times and is also a key part of both photos next to the article. That's a good technique - every time I read about the lab coat, I imagined high schoolers getting dressed for class, just like she described earlier in the piece. The image tied it all together.

Towards the end of the piece, the teacher is profiled - her background and motivation/thoughts on teaching. This is a nice part, because it gives the piece a more personal feel. Then, the kicker at end quotes a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, who nicely sums up the learning philosophy of the class being profiled.

I think it was a nicely put together piece. I might have spoken with some of the students (aside from the one really short, kind-of insignificant quote), or maybe former students of this teacher to get their thoughts. Other than that, I think it was a strong feature: it was written with some punch (Marin's word) and great verbs and descriptors: Ms. Cascio, 57, is a law of motion herself; natty new lab jackets; dipsticking etc. I also thought that the scene of a high school science lab was well set up, but not overdone. The questions posed in the beginning of the piece served as strong grabbers, because it's only halfway into the feature that you can find the answers. Finally, the piece to a variety of audiences, which is, perhaps, one of the most important aspects of this feature.

Nice work, Natalie Angier!