An Outline for a Book Report: A Short History of Nearly Everything

Bryson, Bill. A short history of nearly everything. New York: Broadway Books, 2003.

II. Summary of the Main Ideas

1. Subject: Bill Bryson is writing about science and the discoveries we have made into knowing about the universe, and the earth's existence.

2. Occasion; Bryson had written A Short History of Nearly Everything, because, Bryson had felt that “[The science book] wasn’t exciting at all” (5), therefore he hadn't liked science verymuch. Until, one day he had wondered how did they know that we had layers to the earth when we have never traveled far enough down to know. That is when he had set out on a journey to expand his limited knowledge of the universe, and science.

3. Audience: Anyone with an earning to learn. It is most likely intended for people with a limited or, has no knowledge of the universe, and the earth's existence throughout time.

4. Purpose: The main purpose of the book is to educate, and inform. He helps to widen the knowledge of people who are not experts in the field of science, or whom did not feel that had absorbed enough information in school and are still seeking the knowledge.

5. Speaker: Bill Bryson is the narrator, and he writes in first person. This demonstrated when he give examples from his life and using sentence referring to himself. For example, “I am delighted that you could make it” (1).

III. Critical Analysis and Evaluation

1. Logos: Bill Bryson argues in A Short Story of Nearly Everything that as humans we are extremely lucky to be on Earth. Bryson has always had wanted to know more about science, but felt that textbooks had always made science seem like a boring endeavor, until he had saw a cross section of the ear, in which had sparked his interest in ...

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...tay involved in the book.

IV. Applications of Main Ideas:

“If this book had a lesson, it is that we are awfully lucky to be here...” (478). Bill Bryson’s writing might not be liked by many people, however, I found it to be enticing, and a wonderful read. Along with his mind-blowing facts, Bryson throws in humor to make the text even more engaging. A few facts were outdated, such as when Bryson is explaining the discovery of Pluto as a planet, when it is now classified as a dwarf planet. However, this just proves one of Bryson’s point, which is that sciences is always moving forward. Continually, I would recommend this book to people. It had opened my eyes to the wonders of the world, and the incredibly long and interesting journey to human existence. Furthermore, I would later gush about the facts for days, because I couldn’t quite believe what I had read.