Readings for the next unit

[dvan...@hcrhs.org]

http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/sagan_science.html

I've attached a file for one of the key readings, and posted a link to a second.

Please read both and after doing so, post a response in which you identify 

a) the thesis

b) the main rhetorical strategies

for each piece.

[CARTER RICE]

1. a) The thesis is that we can try as hard as we want to try to define the purpose of what surrounds us, but we will only get closer to the right idea and will never quite get it.

b) Hawking uses relatively common historical events that people know along with the aspects of science that people can understand. Most readers will understand his point when talking about the solar system's center and how far away the stars are, but would not understand if he went into the theory of relativity or details of the structure of a nucleus.

2. a) The thesis is that our common sense predictably fails us when we try to understand something that is not a part of our realm, such as traveling at the speed of light. We also seek to know the mechanics about everything that exists, which sends us on a journey that we cannot complete.

b) The author used a few examples when talking about common sense to help persuade the reader, such as having an extra arm being blatantly strange to us, but not automatically seeing a quantized molecule as the norm. He also uses several rhetorical questions before getting to his main point that help to illustrate his point while getting the reader to start thinking about the topic.

[LISA BROWN]

Can We Know the Universe?

1. Knowing many aspects of something with yet more to discover is the ideal situation; science is questioning and always checking the known and always asking ‘why.’

2. The author introduces his opinion of science so that we can see where he is coming from when he explains scientific ideas. Instead of focusing on the universe, as his title might imply, he focuses on a grain of salt to prove his point by catching the reader’s attention. He uses a grain of salt for all his examples throughout so that we wouldn’t get confused. He goes into science, but not to deep for someone with limited scientific knowledge. That shows us that he knows what he is talking about. But we can also understand what he is talking about; we are not confused by the scientific ideas he uses. He has a lot of interjections throughout the paper to show examples, making it easier. Also, the interjections add some humor, making it seem less formal so that the reader won’t be intimidated to read it. Many readers will feel more comfortable reading it. He asks the reader multiple questions to make the reader think and question knowledge, just like he opinion of science.

 

Our Picture of the Universe

a.       Scientific knowledge is still evolving and being questioned.

b.      The author adds some humor to make it less formal so that readers feel more comfortable reading it. He asks questions so that the reader knows why the information is included. He uses some well known examples, like the Copernican theory, Galileo Galilei and Sir Isaac Newton in order to strengthen his point and so that the reader is more interested in it because the reader has some knowledge about it. The author uses specific details instead of vague examples to prove to the reader that he is knowledgeable. So, that might make the reader more inclined to believe what he is saying. 

[JULIA RINGEL]

1 A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking

a: The thesis for this piece is that people will always try to find explanations for what happens in the world but nothing we theorize about can ever be certain.

b: Hawking develops this thesis by listing how different theories and models have been created to explain how the universe works. Hawking uses the theories of different scientists throughout the ages but simplifies the wording so that ordinary people can understand these complex science breakthroughs. Even though all of these scientists had data and research to support their ideas, none of these can ever be proven. Another rhetorical strategy he used was the story in the beginning about the turtle because it provided a humorous example of the concept he was trying to explain.

 

 

2. Can We Know the Universe by Carl Sagan

a: The thesis is that science does not have to be new theories but people questioning existing ideas and challenging what people assume is right.

b: One rhetorical strategy Sagan used was comparing the complexity of the universe to the simplicity of our mind and using this to support the idea that people can never find out everything about the universe. He does this by comparing one grain of salt to the human brain and shows how much more complex the salt is. He also gives his own opinions at the end and doesn’t just use examples from other scientists or studies.

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote:

[Julianne Ferraro]

A Brief History of Time

1. The thesis of this piece is that there is so much unknown knowledge in the universe and we might not ever be able to figure it all out but through reasoning and others help we can make advancements. It is kind of like repeatedly asking someone the question why, there is always an answer, it’s just hard to figure out.

2. The main rhetorical strategies the author uses are stating facts and theories that past scientists have discovered. He also builds off the facts and theories with his opinion on the topic while including a bit of humor.

Can we know the universe?

1. The thesis of the piece is that you will never learn anything if you never ask questions and make observations.

2. The main rhetorical strategies the author uses are asking questions then answering them. He deeply explains each topic he covers about the universe. In addition, he uses facts and reasoning to explain himself throughout the piece. 

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote:

[MEAGAN ROBICHAUD]

1. Can we know the universe?

1. The thesis of this paper is that science is based primarily on experiment but it takes creativity and courage to branch out beyond that and realize that there are more to the theories that seem to be set in stone.
2. Some rhetorical strategies that Carl Sagan uses includes the implementation of questions into his writing to prove and elaborate on his point.  For example, "Why are the Sun and the Moon and the planets spheres? Why not pyramids, or cubes, or dodecahedra? Why not irregular, jumbly shapes? Why so symmetrical worlds?"  He is not just sticking the questions into the piece in the hopes it will get the reader thinking; it emphasizes what he was trying to prove and say in the beginning of the paragraph.

2. A Brief History of Time

1. The thesis of this paper is we still have much to learn about scientific theories and even established known science is still being questioned
2. The main rhetorical strategy that Stephen Hawking uses is stating and then elaborating on facts that other scientists have discovered and establishing the basis of his essay from that using these points to prove his point that all theories are not correct by giving alternate reasons to the discoveries.

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote:

[NOLAN DEVOE]

Can We Know the Universe? 

a) Carl Sagan's paper is saying that we can discover as much as we want, but there will always be mystery and wonder. 

b) he uses alliteration "how" and "what". He uses anaphora and rhetorical questions to instill thought into the reader .

Brief History of Time

a) Science is about change and the willingness to accept those changes

b) Stephen Hawking uses anecdotes "A well known scientist...all the way down!" He uses rhetorical questions like Sagan to instill thought into the audience.  He uses metaphorical descriptions "This argument is an instance of the pitfalls that you can encounter in talking about infinity."

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote:

[ETHAN HOSTA]

Stephen Hawking
Hawking's thesis was about the dualities found in scientific theories, which he mentioned early on in the chapter.  He suggested that we can learn a lot about the universe, but we currently do not seem capable of coming up with a system that is universal and able to explain everything.  However, we must continue to be curious and attempt to explain the natural world.

Even though Hawking's knowledge is way beyond his average reader's, he uses common terms and allusions to history to explain theories and scientific concepts so we can actually understand what he's talking about.  His book also explains human nature's impact on the sciences through his description of how we reached the conclusion that the sun does not revolve around the earth.  Hawking's strength in the first chapter seems to be taking very complicated science and philosophy and making it accessible. 

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote:

[ETHAN HOSTA]

Carl Sagan

His thesis is to prove that science is a school of thought and a characteristic of human nature, rather than a set of rules for us to discover.

The first thing Sagan does is reveal to the reader that just wondering why things are and are not could potentially be science.  He used the example of planets being round, instead of other shapes.  The brain knowing 10^11 pieces of information was a really great comparison, because that is only 1% of the atoms in a speck of salt, and it supports his argument really well.  He goes on to explain that we understand the world through natural laws, and his argument logically progresses.  Like Hawking, Sagan compares something as abstract as the universe to a grain of salt, and the simple question, "why are the planets round?"

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote:

[ANNA HELFRICH]

1. a) The thesis is that scientists make predictions in many different ways, but in the end there are many things that we will never be able to fully understand.
b) Hawkings uses my examples of past scientists and their predictions to emphasize his thesis. He states my facts and specific examples of how many predictions were wrong throughout history to show that there is constant evidence of his ideas.

2. a) The thesis is that science and experiments are important to challenge what we know and get closer to understanding what we're not able to understand.
b) Carl Sagan uses exemplification very effective throughout his writing. He has many intense thoughts and ideas, and he is constantly giving examples throughout to further explain his point. These examples allow the reader to connect to the writing and understand what he’s talking about. Another strategy he uses is he gives thorough definitions and explanations of what he’s writing about to make it understandable.

[HANNAH BRUZZIO]

1.

a) thesis: the universe as a whole unknowable, but to an extent we can know bits and pieces of it if we just question

b) rhetorical strategy: he uses a lot of questions to get you thinking. He asks them to provoke thought in the subject matter he is dealing with

2.

a) thesis: science is changing and we still have a lot more to learn that we can do by questioning preexisting theories

b) rhetorical strategy: he uses many theories and examples to prove his point

On Monday, May 13, 2013 12:59:14 PM UTC-4, dvan...@hcrhs.org wrote: