John Barry's The Great Influenza

The use of the paradox in The Great Influenza by John M. Barry reveals seemingly contradictory statements true. In the second paragraph Barry believes that one must "embrace – uncertainty" (Barry). He uses this literacy device to highlight uncertainty as a welcomed sensation to be accepted, rather than denied. Along with presenting truthful statements, Barry makes every word, phrase, and sentence that he writes ultimately more powerful and read at different understanding levels by raising the bar and introducing contradicting information. Barry characterizes scientific research as contradicting. At any time, a scientist's research can be torn apart by a new finding or experiment. In line 21 Barry says that "uncertainty requires a confidence

Author John M. Barry, in The Great Influenza, claims that scientists must embrace uncertainty and doubt their ideas in order to be successful in their research. To support his claim, he first states that “uncertainty creates weakness”, then lists the traits required by scientists (including curiosity and creativity), and finally explains that experiments must be made to work by the investigator. The purpose of this is to further support his claim in order to encourage readers to embrace uncertainty because certainty creates something to lean on, while uncertainty forces one to manipulate experiments to produce answers. Barry adopts a formal tone to appeal to a worldwide audience, specifically those interested in scientific research, by using

In the end of the passage, Barry claims “Not all scientific investigations can deal comfortably with uncertainty…” This then ties back with the beginning of the piece when he states,”Certainty gives strength.” This would be important because it describes how scientist are needed to be open minded and positive. He then utilizes certain word choice such as lack, rarely, and yield, in order to make the audience more interested in Barry's

In order to appeal to a wide audience, Barry uses an extended metaphor to compare the seemingly abstract and unreachable concept of scientific research to the mentally attainable image of pioneers settling a virgin wilderness. Beginning on line 23, by stating that “scientists exist on the frontier” whether it is “one step beyond the known” or “deep into a wilderness region,” Barry conveys that all scientists must confront the unknown, regardless of the extent of their adventurous spirit. Through the paragraphs, the

Throughout the piece, Barry describes scientific research as a step into the unknown through his extended metaphor. Barry relates all scientists together onto the same playing field stating, “All real scientists exist on the frontier. Even the less ambitious among them…” He refers to the research about to start as a frontier, in the same ways that a frontier

It is often stated that people relate to emotions and not facts, and it seems Goodman understands just that. She clearly states the concepts and fundamentals behind the triumphs and struggles of modern day science while presenting them in a way that is filled with emotion. From jealously, delight and frustration, Goodman captures it all. Goodman writes, “Over and over he looked, and each time he made the discovery again: his virus worked on cancer cells. He had never seen anything more beautiful or more important than that mouse before him on the table,” (Goodman, 75). By capturing the emotions, Goodman is able to draw the reader into the context of the book and find a deeper understanding of the issues that arise by relating to the emotions that are associated with it.

Barry believes that science can be altered at any moment, that is why he bases science off of uncertainty. Experiments are shaped based off of any one scientist's thoughts, therefor it will constantly change.

Organelles as organism is from The Lives of a cell authored by Lewis Thomas. Thomas uses a unique writing style that is very recognizable and different from the others. This helps us to appreciate our diversity as human beings demonstrated by our abilities to write differently. As a reader one is able to form an image of who Thomas is by how he expresses his feelings and attitudes. When this text was written a lot of people, mostly scientists, thought and had knowledge of different things than they do now. Science has greatly evolved over the years, there are new discoveries each time, and it’s a fact that right now we know a lot than we did thirty-five years ago.

In a passage from The Great Influenza, author John M. Barry writes about what it is like to be a scientist. He describes scientists as pioneers and uses that to get across his idea. The author states that being a scientist is brave and uses metaphor, the motif of an explorer, and logos to prove his point.

The first rhetorical device used in the excerpt is anaphora, the repetition of the word certainty and uncertainty is used to initiate each of the first four sentences. Barry uses this repetition to implant the idea that science is full of self-doubt and overcoming this allows one to become successful. In the first four sentences he says “Certainty creates strength. Certainty gives one something….Uncertainty creates weakness. Uncertainty makes one tentative…”(line 1) The repetition and rapid

Describe a problem you 've solved or a problem you 'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

Barry’s use of syntax to effectively state his argument, his use of diction to allow the reader to comprehend the meaning of a phrase, and the allegories to add further emphasis to his main points all are important rhetorical strategies. These strategies don’t just emphasize the important of certainty and how it can benefit the field of science, but they also describe how uncertainty can also impact discoveries and how it can prohibit discoveries from being

Scientists take the unknown and make it known. The audience will better understand the scientific method if it seems logical. Including examples of Einstein, accepting scientific theories, and designing experiments show that the basis of Barry’s argument is factual. “Einstein refused to accept his own theory until his predictions were tested,” showing even the best of the best scientists study with uncertainty. Barry’s appeal to logos helps characterize the intellectual side of science.

The first paragraph begins with the personification of Science; “And Science - we have loved her well, and followed her diligently, what will she do?”. This initial sentence poses a question to the audience in which he is starting to make his first point that science can no longer benefit society. He follows this question by saying “I fear

developed the theory of relativity, he was a mathematician and he’s greater known in theoretical physics.