Moving Heaven and Earth
In an elaborate article focusing on the direction in which the earth’s climate is heading to, Moving Heaven and Earth by Graeme Wood explains some modern ideas to tackle the problem of global warming. He would like to claim that although some of these ideas may sound crazy, it is important that we encourage more research into geo-engineering because the future is unpredictable. He uses some worthy strategies in his context, substance and writing style to appeal to the reader about the current situation and to persuade him/her about the importance of geo-engineering.
Appearing in The Atlantic magazine in the July 2009 edition, the article is set up in a time wherein most people are literate. Directed towards and audience of people interested in science, engineering and environment, the article talks about global warming and climate change which is one of the most widely spoken problem in the world. With the industrial revolution at its peak, the increasing concern on the carbon content in the atmosphere has called on Wood to express his views on what needs to be done at this moment. Although he tries to use simple and easy language to approach a wider range of audience, the article limits itself to people with an interest or knowledgeable in physics, chemistry and biology. Examples such as the magnetic disk shooting guns aiming at the “gravitational midpoint between the Earth and the sun” and “carbon-eating trees” (Graeme, 2009) may not be easily understood by all. But, to the people who understand science, these examples provide a strong path to achieve the author’s purpose of writing the article. He uses the reader’s knowledge to make them think about his ideas and possible solutions to global warming.
Wood’s substance in his article is probably the best way to persuade his reader. All his examples in the article were proposed or commented upon by a respected person such as a Noble Prize winner or a great scientist. People such as Paul Crutzen who won the Noble prize as an atmospheric scientist, John Latham who worked in the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Thomas C. Schelling who won Noble Prize in economics and Freeman Dyson, the renowned physicist, help in establishing a strong base for his argument. Since his argument is related to science and economy, there could be no better support than the words of the above mentioned people. Wood also uses numbers, such as $100 million and $1 Trillion to prove to the reader that geo-engineering methods are a lot more feasible. This efficient method to appeal to the reader further establishes his purpose. The main reason his appeals are effective is because they are logical and make the reader think of the consequences. When targeting a group of people interested in science and economy, logical reasoning is the best way to prove one’s opinion.
The author’s writing style is apt for the situation and for the readers. The usage of simple English language establishes a wider audience, especially engineers. He began the article with a futuristic view of the earth, which not only catches the attention of the reader, but also keeps one attached to read what the author has to say next. Furthermore, the author gives examples such as Blade Runner, James Watt, Auric Goldfinger and Richard Branson that helps the reader visualize the author’s message without the use of pictures or videos. Also, each idea that he proposes as a solution to global warming, he talks about the pros and cons which further emphasizes on his logical reasoning. The use of many technical terms and requirement of the reader to have some knowledge about the crisis is the key strategy to catch the audience that he is looking for. Easy flowing sentences, smooth transitions between paragraphs and having each paragraph talk concisely about a particular topic makes this written piece good.
Overall this is an excellent written article and one worth reading. Taking advantage of the global awareness on climate change, Graeme Wood has written a catchy article that people would enjoy reading and spend some time thinking about. He attacks the reader logically to prove that geo-engineerIn an elaborate article focusing on the direction in which the earth’s climate is heading to, Moving Heaven and Earth by Graeme Wood explains some modern ideas to tackle the problem of global warming. He would like to claim that although some of these ideas may sound crazy, it is important that we encourage more research into geo-engineering because the future is unpredictable. He uses some worthy strategies in his context, substance and writing style to appeal to the reader about the current situation and to persuade him/her about the importance of geo-engineering.
References
· Graeme, Wood. (2009). Moving Heaven and Earth. In G. Colombo, R. Cullen & B. Lisle (Eds.), Rereading America (pp. 756-765). Boston, NY: Bedfords/St. Martin's.
(I revised this assignment for my final portfolio. Click here to view it.)
Appearing in The Atlantic magazine in the July 2009 edition, the article is set up in a time wherein most people are literate. Directed towards and audience of people interested in science, engineering and environment, the article talks about global warming and climate change which is one of the most widely spoken problem in the world. With the industrial revolution at its peak, the increasing concern on the carbon content in the atmosphere has called on Wood to express his views on what needs to be done at this moment. Although he tries to use simple and easy language to approach a wider range of audience, the article limits itself to people with an interest or knowledgeable in physics, chemistry and biology. Examples such as the magnetic disk shooting guns aiming at the “gravitational midpoint between the Earth and the sun” and “carbon-eating trees” (Graeme, 2009) may not be easily understood by all. But, to the people who understand science, these examples provide a strong path to achieve the author’s purpose of writing the article. He uses the reader’s knowledge to make them think about his ideas and possible solutions to global warming.
Wood’s substance in his article is probably the best way to persuade his reader. All his examples in the article were proposed or commented upon by a respected person such as a Noble Prize winner or a great scientist. People such as Paul Crutzen who won the Noble prize as an atmospheric scientist, John Latham who worked in the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Thomas C. Schelling who won Noble Prize in economics and Freeman Dyson, the renowned physicist, help in establishing a strong base for his argument. Since his argument is related to science and economy, there could be no better support than the words of the above mentioned people. Wood also uses numbers, such as $100 million and $1 Trillion to prove to the reader that geo-engineering methods are a lot more feasible. This efficient method to appeal to the reader further establishes his purpose. The main reason his appeals are effective is because they are logical and make the reader think of the consequences. When targeting a group of people interested in science and economy, logical reasoning is the best way to prove one’s opinion.
The author’s writing style is apt for the situation and for the readers. The usage of simple English language establishes a wider audience, especially engineers. He began the article with a futuristic view of the earth, which not only catches the attention of the reader, but also keeps one attached to read what the author has to say next. Furthermore, the author gives examples such as Blade Runner, James Watt, Auric Goldfinger and Richard Branson that helps the reader visualize the author’s message without the use of pictures or videos. Also, each idea that he proposes as a solution to global warming, he talks about the pros and cons which further emphasizes on his logical reasoning. The use of many technical terms and requirement of the reader to have some knowledge about the crisis is the key strategy to catch the audience that he is looking for. Easy flowing sentences, smooth transitions between paragraphs and having each paragraph talk concisely about a particular topic makes this written piece good.
Overall this is an excellent written article and one worth reading. Taking advantage of the global awareness on climate change, Graeme Wood has written a catchy article that people would enjoy reading and spend some time thinking about. He attacks the reader logically to prove that geo-engineerIn an elaborate article focusing on the direction in which the earth’s climate is heading to, Moving Heaven and Earth by Graeme Wood explains some modern ideas to tackle the problem of global warming. He would like to claim that although some of these ideas may sound crazy, it is important that we encourage more research into geo-engineering because the future is unpredictable. He uses some worthy strategies in his context, substance and writing style to appeal to the reader about the current situation and to persuade him/her about the importance of geo-engineering.
References
· Graeme, Wood. (2009). Moving Heaven and Earth. In G. Colombo, R. Cullen & B. Lisle (Eds.), Rereading America (pp. 756-765). Boston, NY: Bedfords/St. Martin's.
(I revised this assignment for my final portfolio. Click here to view it.)
Rhetorical Analysis Reflection
With thousands of articles pouring in ideas on every topic that one can think of, it has become an important task not only to read, but analyze the written text for its context, purpose, substance etc. In in unit 3 of English 250 class, I analyzed the text Moving Heaven and Earth by Graeme Wood. Analyzing the rhetorical situation of this particular text has helped me learn a lot of skills, both in writing and analysis. Let me share a few of those with you.
Set up in the year 2009, this written article talked about the importance of geo-engineering in the context of global warming. Being an engineer, I was really attracted to reading what the author had to say since I love science. Throughout the text, the author was clear in his message that although geo-engineering sound crazy, it probably the only way out from temperatures soaring high in the future. He gives various examples of ideas and their pros and cons. This helped me develop my thesis of my rhetorical analysis and used many of his examples as supporting factor of what I thought his purpose was. Impressed by his writing, I analyzed the context, substance and style elements of the article to gain a better understanding. After finishing the essay, I felt that I had done a good job on what was required. The essay was concise on what I wanted to convey while covering all the points at the same time. I used a lot of examples to prove my analysis and clearly mentioned what I felt were the strengths of the author in a particular element that I was analyzing. I did encounter few problems while writing the essay, out of which the main one would be trying to analyze without reflecting my own opinion on it. This was a difficult task but I tried my best to overcome my personal feelings for the text and analyzed it as fairly as possible. With the help of some peer review I was able to eliminate the existence of my personal thoughts in the essay. Also, while writing I further developed my skills on categorizing, transitioning and concluding an essay.
Overall I felt that I worked hard on this assignment and gained equally in knowledge and skills. Having improved my English writing and analyzing skills, I am satisfied with my work in unit 3.
Set up in the year 2009, this written article talked about the importance of geo-engineering in the context of global warming. Being an engineer, I was really attracted to reading what the author had to say since I love science. Throughout the text, the author was clear in his message that although geo-engineering sound crazy, it probably the only way out from temperatures soaring high in the future. He gives various examples of ideas and their pros and cons. This helped me develop my thesis of my rhetorical analysis and used many of his examples as supporting factor of what I thought his purpose was. Impressed by his writing, I analyzed the context, substance and style elements of the article to gain a better understanding. After finishing the essay, I felt that I had done a good job on what was required. The essay was concise on what I wanted to convey while covering all the points at the same time. I used a lot of examples to prove my analysis and clearly mentioned what I felt were the strengths of the author in a particular element that I was analyzing. I did encounter few problems while writing the essay, out of which the main one would be trying to analyze without reflecting my own opinion on it. This was a difficult task but I tried my best to overcome my personal feelings for the text and analyzed it as fairly as possible. With the help of some peer review I was able to eliminate the existence of my personal thoughts in the essay. Also, while writing I further developed my skills on categorizing, transitioning and concluding an essay.
Overall I felt that I worked hard on this assignment and gained equally in knowledge and skills. Having improved my English writing and analyzing skills, I am satisfied with my work in unit 3.
Rhetorical Analysis | |
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Rhetorical Analysis Reflection | |
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Assignment 3 Instructor Feedback | |
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