The language of the modern scientific paper is often described as artificial in comparisons to that of more narrative accounts. In his book Staring the text: The place of rhetoric in science studies, Alan Gross contends that the rhetorical devices available to the scientific text are more limited than that of narrative writing because of its need create a referential presence (Gross, 2006). This referential presence is different than a presence which might be created in literature as it is not alluding to the general idea of something, but rather a specific instance. In a discussion of Robert Boyle’s work, Peter Dear contends Boyle’s use of description was as the translation for the direct observation of a specific event in which “the described …show more content…
The use of a passive voice creates a style, which serves to remove the actor from the subject position by replacing it with material elements central to the experiment (Banks, 2008). Gross (2006) explains this position as the need to create “the impression that its language refers unproblematically to the real world existing independently of a perceiving subject” which tends to also “generally excludes the subjective dimension of description, the use of emotion-charged words, or irony” (p. …show more content…
As such, the experiment could be carried out by anyone. As noted in the previous section, such a suggestion by definition creates replicability. It is important to highlight that the requirement of replicability does not mean that the experiment must be replicated, rather it requires that it have the potential to be replicated (Godfrey-Smith, 2003). By removing the authorial or scientific actor from the experiment though the passive voice, the experiment in essence becomes the actor and thus capable of its own replication. The traditionally passive voice of the scientific article thus facilitates both measures of validity through removal of the actor. A text devoid of actor allows for the neutrality necessary to create the simulated direct observation necessary under empiricism to establish validation. The removal of the actor from the experiment similarly allows for the perception that it can be done by anyone, thus establishing the necessity of replication.
Barry successfully conveys the many traits that scientists will endure in their work, and the qualities essential in order to be successful by using three effective rhetorical devices-- exemplification, powerful diction, and insightful figurative language. He uses his experience with the flu epidemic and rhetorical strategies to prove his claim that there is much more to science
Edward O. Wilson, the writer of this satire, writes about the opinions of two disagreeing sides to demonstrate the unproductive nature of these litigations. To do this, the author writes in a horatian manner and uses instances of exaggeration, parody, incongruity, and irony to help him convey his message that these arguments are pointless. The well distributed use of these strategies allows the writer to efficiently illustrate and mock the unproductive disagreement of these two groups of people.
Scientists are constantly forced to test their work and beliefs. Thus they need the ability to embrace the uncertainty that science is based on. This is a point John M. Barry uses throughout the passage to characterize scientific research, and by using rhetorical devices such as, comparison, specific diction, and contrast he is able show the way he views and characterizes scientific research.
Analyzing innocence has always been a difficult task, not only due to it’s rapid reevaluation in the face of changing societal values, but also due to the highly private and personal nature of the concept. The differences between how people prioritize different types of innocence - childhood desires, intellectual naivety, sexual purity, criminal guilt, etc. - continually obscures the definition of innocence. This can make it difficult for people to sympathize with others’ loss of purity, simply because their definition of that loss will always be dissimilar to the originally expressed idea. Innocence can never truly be adequately described, simply because another will never be able to precisely decipher the other’s words. It is this challenge, the challenge of verbally depicting the isolationism of the corruption of innocence, that Tim O’Brien attempts to endeavour in his fictionalized memoir, The
In his letter dated January 30, 1801, Charles Lamb efficiently utilizes a variety of rhetorical techniques to eloquently and politely decline William Wordsworth’s invitation to visit him. Mr. Lamb is an especially well-equipped individual in the field of composition, as indicated by his efficient use of rhetorical devices (Latinate word choice, sentence structure, and other aspects of syntax). He is able to deliver his message of decline politely and eloquently while at the same time avoiding the offense of the reader, Mr. William Wordsworth. He is able to explain why he is unable to accept the offer without giving the impression of being off-put. And he does so with class, sophistication, and skill.
In The Great Influenza, John M. Barry educates citizens of the everyday challenges that scientists face through utilizing rhetorical questions, cause and effect, and contrast. Barry’s uses of the rhetorical strategies highlights the beauty of uncertainty because of failure, scientists can make new discoveries everyday. In relation
I chose this word because the tone of the first chapter seems rather dark. We hear stories of the hopes with which the Puritans arrived in the new world; however, these hopes quickly turned dark because the Purtains found that the first buildings they needed to create were a prison, which alludes to the sins they committed; and a cemetery, which contradicts the new life they hoped to create for themselves.
The play, Fences was written by an American author August Wilson in the 1983. This play takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 1950’s which happened before any major work regarding the civil rights movement was noticeable. The play is about a man named Troy Maxson, who is a fifty-three year old who works in the sanitation department. His son Cory wants to play football and does not let him pursue his dream because he doesn't want him to get hurt. August Wilson’s play, Fences, follows the formal conventions of its genre, which helps convey the story to the audience because he uses stage directions, theme, symbolism, and figurative language.
Henry Thoreau uses specific rhetorical strategies in Walden to emanate his attitude towards life. With the use of many strategies Thoreau shows that life should be centered around Nature. People live their lives not ever taking a second glance of what Nature does and has done for humanity and Thoreau is trying to prove his point. Humanity owes Nature everything for without it humans would be nothing.
Science is a study that can be viewed and interpreted in various ways. Some believe science to be based on facts and specific results, while others believe it to be based on creativity and spontaneity. In his account of the 1918 flu epidemic, The Great Influenza, John M. Barry characterizes scientific research as work that requires creativity, spontaneity, and intelligence through his use of rhetorical devices such as allusions, metaphors, and rhetorical questions.
Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruskiewicz. New York: St. Martins, 1997, 230-235. Thomas, Lewis "The Hazards of Science" The Presence of Others. Comp. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruskiewicz.
Success. Seven letters, two syllables, and essentially, the goal of almost every person to walk the planet. The interesting thing about success is that it isn’t a set in stone goal, but an ideology. With each person, success is redefined, argued, and tried. Success comes in different forms and levels, but at the end of the day every person who has been deemed successful mentions one word: failure. Yet, it isn’t failure in of itself that produces success, but the determination and desire to work through it. Failure can only indoctrinate when an individual decides to work past it and improve from it. Often, however, the strenuous process of failure and grit is glamorized, and the true factors that play into success are forgotten. For example,
Written by a renowned physicist, Albert Einstein, both passages were written for anybody who was interested in physics and economic ideologies. In the time when science and technology were rapidly developing, people sought for new information about physics and economy as they had to catch up with rapidly developing world. With developing technology, people, the audience of the passages A and B, had more access to media--which made Einstein’s high reputation as a physicist possible. Using different rhetorical approaches, such as qualifying language, grammatical tenses, and point of view, Einstein wrote passage A to explain the concept of physics--specifically, the relationship between time and space--while
With in the story there are lots of devices that are being used with in the passage such as metaphors, simile, and time. With in the passage you can tell when the main character, Gabriel, is using it. He uses it in the sense that he is looking in the past mostly like when he is thinking about his wife's past lover and how he starts thinking how the first love is always the deepest love of them all. He starts thinking bad things such as not loving her anymore. He is thinking that his wife is not the same beautiful person that she once was, and does not like the idea of her growing old and not looking the way she wants did, which in my opinions is kind of mean of him to think of such a things, due to the fact that you are suppose to marry someone
The tone of this passage is immediately established through Jane Austin calling to attention Elizabeth’s feelings after reading Darcy’s letter. In a third person narrative the audience learns of Elizabeth becoming completely ashamed of herself; setting the tone of self-condemnation through immense disapproval of her own prejudices. The use of the third person narrative gives insight to what is going on around the character whilst also giving a more encompassing insight into how they are feeling. Elizabeth’s thoughts turn from Darcy and Wickham and focuses instead on condemning herself on how “despicably” she has acted in ignorance. Austin uses a wide ranged of verbs and adjectives throughout this passage to give strong emphasis towards how Elizabeth is truly feeling, and to let the audience experience her reactions and responses as she reads the letter over.