Annotated article

Annotated article

Annotated article. Article title, in large text, top, left-justified: Big Box Stores Are Bad for Main Street. Author name, small text, all capital letters, left-justified. Body text: There is plently of reason to be concerned about the proliferation of Wal-Marts and other so-called "big box" stores. The question, however, is not whether or not these types of stores create jobs (akthough several studies claim they produce a net job loss in local communities) or whether they ultimately save consumers money. The real concern about having a 25-acre slab of concrete with a 100,000 square foot box of stuff land on a town is whether it's good for a community's soul. The worst thing about "big boxes" is that they have a tendancy to produce Ross Perot's famous "big sucking sound" -- sucking the life out of cities and small towns across the country. On the other hand, small bussinesses are great for a community. They offer more personal service; they won't threaten to pack up and leave town if they don't get tax breaks, free roads and other blandishments; and small-bussiness owners are much more responsive to a customer's needs. (Ever try to complain about bad service or poor quality products to the president of Home Depot?) Yet, if big boxes are so bad, why are they so successful? One glaring reason is that we've become a nation of hyper-consumers, and the big-box boys know this. Downtown shopping districts comprised of small businesses take some of the efficiency out of overconsumption. There's all that hassle of having to travel from store to store, and having to pull out your credit card so many times. Occasionally, we even find ourselves chatting with the shopkeeper, wandering into a coffee shop to visit with a friend or otherwose wasting precious time that could be spend on aquiring more stuff. But let's face it -- bustling, thriving city centers are fun. They breathe life into a community. They allow cities and towns to stand out from eachother. They provide and atmosphere for people to interact with each other that just cannot be found at Target, or Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Is it anti-America to be against having a retail giant set up shop in one's community? Some people would say so. On the other hand, if you board up main street, what's left of America? Annotations: Next to first sentence: "Opening strategy -- the problem is not x, it's y." The words "community's soul" are underlined, and note next to it reads: "Sentimental -- what is a community's soul?" Note next to "The worst thing about 'big boxes'": "Lumps all box boxes together." Note next to "They offer more personal service": "Assumes all small businesses are attentive." The words "to the president" are underlined, and a note next to them reads: "Logic problem? Why couldn't customer complain to store manager?" Words "we've become a nation of hyper-consumers" are circled, and a note says: "True?" Note next to "Occasionally, we even find ourselves": "Nostalgia for a time that is long gone or never was." Note next to "They allow cities and towns to stand out": "Community vs. economy. What about prices?" Note next to last sentence: "Ends with emotional appeal. "

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