God Save the Bees

This article is aimed at an audience that is likely receptive to simply explained scientific research regarding the environment (popular science). The article function in all four states: fact, cause, value, and policy. I think that what makes this an effective and comprehensible article is formulaic organization, from fact to policy.

The first paragraph appeals to the audiences intellect by assuming a basic understanding of the ways in which pesticides adversely effect people, bees, the environment, etc. Then the author goes on to discuss what honey bees do and what how, specifically, they are effected by the use of pesticides. Hengen brings in Haagen- Daz as an example of one popular company that is concerned with the damaging use of pesticides. By including a company familiar to the public, Hengen is able to establish that the is a lot of concern being raised over the problem. Transitioning into what caused the problem us crucial here because it establishes the superiority of organic farms. This ties in nicely with the closing request to support organic agriculture. So Hengen goes through fact and cause, and verifies the value, that the use of pesticides bad and a remedy needs to be found. As for policy, Hengen discusses the Farm Bill explaining what is it and why it would be beneficial.

The end of the article is rather direct: "There is every reason to eliminate the use of all pesticides that act synergetically with parasidic fungi..." This wraps up a well organized article that works with all four stases. The aim is reasserted to a now well informed audience: support organic farms and save the bees.