August 30-Analysis of Breeze Article

I chose to read and analyze the "Drilling Candidates for Oil Solutions a Slippery Subject" article by Adam Poole because it addresses a critical national and global issue- that of energy sources and drilling. Poole starts off his article by relating to the reader about the rapidly growing gas prices and our nation's "addiction to oil," and then quickly yet smoothly transitions to his main point- that Congress needs to pass the American Energy Act. He quickly defines this act as a bill that will "financially encourage alternative energy research while allowing environmentally responsible drilling." Poole goes on to briefly inform the reader about what the Presidential candidates oppose as well as what they agree with: "Both McCain and Obama oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve," states Poole, however, they "both...support drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf."

The writer gives information about the act and the views of both the candidates in a conversation-like manner taht makes the reader feel as if they are on hte same level. This way it is not a confusing, boring article, but one that you can understand and read almost leisurely. It is this that makes me believe that Poole has chosen to write in more of an open forum way rather than closed. Even though Poole has a thesis and defending points, they are not in a rough, cookie-cutter manner, but smooth and flowing which, for me, is a better way to understand something because I can stay concentrated for longer. 

On pg. 14 of our textbook there is a list of three main qualities that a good question should exhibit- it should be problematic, significant, and interesting. ALthugh Poole's article is more thesis based rather than question based, the issue of environmentally responsible drilling and the serach for alternative energy very much contains those three qualities. Poole concludes the article with his answer for what he believes can be done to solve the energy problem that faces our nation- pass the American Energy Act.