Although I wasn't able to be in class today, I did have someone do the peer review on my paper. Lets just say its going to be a really long weekend!!! I have lots of things to fix (as usual). The biggest problem that I have is making my thoughts clear to others. I say what I think I'm saying, and the reader hears something totally different. Or I don't use proper English. My sentences are usually either run-ons or fragments. I'm just really not good at writing papers. Sometimes it gets really frustrating. Our first paper I revised 7 times- no kidding!!! The bad part is that even after 7 I still got a lot of things wrong. So, yeah, its going to be a really long weekend. The peer review does help because then at least I know what I'm doing wrong & can try to fix it.
Were my comments helpful to my fellow writer? I really hope so. Reading is something that I can do well. Explaining myself is not something that I do well. I do think my comments were understood though. Hopefully, this process helps us out. I think that it does.
The comments that were helpful to me were which arguments in my paper were unclear. That also seemed to be the most helpful part of my critique. This will allow both of us time to clarify and revise our papers before we have to turn them in. All in all, a very good process.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Finding E.T. (roughdraft Pt. 2)
Paper Two Rough draft- Part 2
Where in the universe will we locate extraterrestrial life? Who will be the one to locate it? By examining two different articles from Popular Science magazine the reader can tell the variance in opinion of these two questions through the use of genre. The audiences of said two articles are very different in fact. In "The Search Is On" Jennifer Abbasi addresses normal laymen to conclude that we all should be involved in the search for extraterrestrial life, including how citizens can monetarily support said projects. However, in "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life" author Matt Ransford seems to say that only scientists should be involved in the search and therefore writes accordingly. The use of genre and language and even the way basic facts are represented show a very clear picture of how genre is used to express the opinions of these authors.
"The Search Is On" by Jennifer Abbasi examines the current methods used to locate extraterrestrial life. The article examines projects by astrobiologists on earth to locate life in places before thought to be uninhabitable. The author also examines several space missions within our solar system to locate life on other planets and moons. Abbasi further discusses both the Kepler Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. "The Search Is On" discusses projects by SETI which are currently being funded by public support and even tells the reader how to contribute money. The article is written in laymen’s terms and is directed at the public to gain public support for the search for extraterrestrial life.
"The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History" by author Matt Ransford gives the reader a scientific perspective of the history and current search by scientists for extraterrestrial life. This article is definitely written for scientists as it uses a great number of big scientific words which most laymen would not understand. The article also cites the names of each project and the scientists responsible for each discovery. Ransford even discusses the Drake equation, which probably would be unknown to anyone other than scientists. Ransford discusses many SETI projects and NASA missions throughout the article with regard to what they contribute to the search for extraterrestrial life. Projects discussed include SETI, the Drake Equation, astrobiology, life on Mars, Project Cyclops, the Pioneer Plaques, the Arecibo Message, the Voyager Golden Records, meteorites, extremophiles, the Wow! Signal, Project Phoenix, SETI at UC Berkeley, extra solar planets, the Kepler Mission, and the Allen Telescope Array.
The intended audience difference from each article is clearly expressed within each articles thesis statement. Ransford writes, "If (or, as some would say, when) humans make contact with alien intelligence, the scientists who devote their careers to the search will be our first point of contact." This clearly shows bias towards scientists leading the search. Abbasi, on the other hand, states, "New missions and discoveries on Earth, within our solar system and beyond are bringing us closer than ever to finding alien life on other planets. The term "us" would clearly mean to imply everyone.
"The Search Is On" by Jennifer Abbasi examines the current methods used to locate extraterrestrial life. The article examines projects by astrobiologists on earth to locate life in places before thought to be uninhabitable. The author also examines several space missions within our solar system to locate life on other planets and moons. Abbasi further discusses both the Kepler Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. "The Search Is On" discusses projects by SETI which are currently being funded by public support and even tells the reader how to contribute money. The article is written in laymen’s terms and is directed at the public to gain public support for the search for extraterrestrial life.
"The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History" by author Matt Ransford gives the reader a scientific perspective of the history and current search by scientists for extraterrestrial life. This article is definitely written for scientists as it uses a great number of big scientific words which most laymen would not understand. The article also cites the names of each project and the scientists responsible for each discovery. Ransford even discusses the Drake equation, which probably would be unknown to anyone other than scientists. Ransford discusses many SETI projects and NASA missions throughout the article with regard to what they contribute to the search for extraterrestrial life. Projects discussed include SETI, the Drake Equation, astrobiology, life on Mars, Project Cyclops, the Pioneer Plaques, the Arecibo Message, the Voyager Golden Records, meteorites, extremophiles, the Wow! Signal, Project Phoenix, SETI at UC Berkeley, extra solar planets, the Kepler Mission, and the Allen Telescope Array.
The intended audience difference from each article is clearly expressed within each articles thesis statement. Ransford writes, "If (or, as some would say, when) humans make contact with alien intelligence, the scientists who devote their careers to the search will be our first point of contact." This clearly shows bias towards scientists leading the search. Abbasi, on the other hand, states, "New missions and discoveries on Earth, within our solar system and beyond are bringing us closer than ever to finding alien life on other planets. The term "us" would clearly mean to imply everyone.
Another trait that characterizes the intended audience of each article is the use of language. The biggest word used in “The Search Is On” by Abbasi is the word “astrobiologist”. While it is large word, most laymen could clearly distinguish the meaning of this word by its root parts: “astro” meaning space, “biologist” meaning one who studies life. This makes the article simple to read for anyone. However, in “The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History” by Matt Ransford many large words are used, especially scientific words. Words such as “Interstellar communications”, “electromagnetic”, ”nebulous”, “interdisciplinary”, “extremophiles”, “compendium”, “tardigrades”, etc. are used throughout the article. The reader would have to be well educated in the scientific field to know what most of these words meant. Therefore, the audiences for both articles are clearly different through the use of language.
Although both articles address many of the same projects, the manner in which they are discussed clearly shows the authors intended audience. There are many large differences. For example, Abbasi rarely names the scientists who made the discoveries in each project. In fact, “The Search Is On” usually uses the term “scientists” instead of names. Ransford, however, always names the scientist credited to each discovery or project in “The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History”. Most laymen would not care about the names of the scientists. However, most scientists definitely would want to know the names of each scientist. This gives another clear view of audience and intended purpose.
Another example of intended audience is the terminology used to address the same projects. Both articles, for example, discuss the exoplanets discovered by the Kepler Space Telescope. Abbasi calls them “exoplanets”, while Ransford calls them “extra solar planets”. Most laymen could determine the meaning of “exoplanet” from its two root words: “exo” meaning external, and planets. However, “extra solar planets” would probably only be understood by a scientist, as breaking it down into its roots would not give a clear meaning to the word.
Works Cited
Abbasi, Jennifer. "The Search Is On." Popular Science Oct. 2011: 37-44. Print.
Works Cited
Abbasi, Jennifer. "The Search Is On." Popular Science Oct. 2011: 37-44. Print.
Ransford, Matt. "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History." Popular Science June 2008: Print
Monday, September 26, 2011
Paper Two Roughdraft
Where in the universe will we locate extraterrestrial life? Who will be the one to locate it? By examining two different articles from Popular Science magazine the reader can tell the variance in opinion of these two questions through the use of genre. The audiences of said two articles are very different in fact. In "The Search Is On" Jennifer Abbasi addresses normal laymen to conclude that we all should be involved in the search for extraterrestrial life, including how citizens can monetarily support said projects. However, in "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life" author Matt Ransford seems to say that only scientists should be involved in the search and therefore writes accordingly. The use of genre and language and even the way basic facts are represented show a very clear picture of how genre is used to express the opinions of these authors.
"The Search Is On" by Jennifer Abbsi examines the current methods used to locate extraterrestrial life. The article examines projects by astrobiologists on earth to locate life in places before thought to be uninhabitable. The author also examines several space missions within our solar system to locate life on other planets and moons. Abbasi further discusses both the Kepler Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. "The Search Is On" discusses projects by SETI which are currently being funded by public support and even tells the reader how to contribute money. The article is written in laymens terms and is directed at the public to gain public support for the search for extraterrestrial life.
"The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History" by author Matt Ransford gives the reader a scientific perspective of the history and current search by scientists for extraterrestrial Life. This article is definitely written for scientists as it uses a great number of big scientific words which most laymen would not understand. The article also cites the names of each project and the scientists responsible for each discovery. Ransford even discusses the Drake equation, which probably would be unknown to anyone other than scientists. Ransford discusses many SETI projects and NASA missions throughout the article with regard to what they contribute to the search for extraterrestrial life.
The intended audience difference from each article is clearly expressed within each articles thesis statement. Ransford writes, "If (or, as some would say, when) humans make contact with alien intelligence, the scientists who devote their careers to the search will be our first point on contact." This clearly shows bias towards scientists leading the search. Abbasi, on the other hand, states, "New missions and discoveries on Earth, within our solar system and beyond are bringing us closer than ever to finding alien life on other planets. The term "us" would clearly mean to imply everyone.
Works Cited
Abbasi, Jennifer. "The Search Is On." Popular Science Oct. 2011: 37-44. Print.
Ransford, Matt. "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History." Popular Science June 2008: Print.
"The Search Is On" by Jennifer Abbsi examines the current methods used to locate extraterrestrial life. The article examines projects by astrobiologists on earth to locate life in places before thought to be uninhabitable. The author also examines several space missions within our solar system to locate life on other planets and moons. Abbasi further discusses both the Kepler Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. "The Search Is On" discusses projects by SETI which are currently being funded by public support and even tells the reader how to contribute money. The article is written in laymens terms and is directed at the public to gain public support for the search for extraterrestrial life.
"The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History" by author Matt Ransford gives the reader a scientific perspective of the history and current search by scientists for extraterrestrial Life. This article is definitely written for scientists as it uses a great number of big scientific words which most laymen would not understand. The article also cites the names of each project and the scientists responsible for each discovery. Ransford even discusses the Drake equation, which probably would be unknown to anyone other than scientists. Ransford discusses many SETI projects and NASA missions throughout the article with regard to what they contribute to the search for extraterrestrial life.
The intended audience difference from each article is clearly expressed within each articles thesis statement. Ransford writes, "If (or, as some would say, when) humans make contact with alien intelligence, the scientists who devote their careers to the search will be our first point on contact." This clearly shows bias towards scientists leading the search. Abbasi, on the other hand, states, "New missions and discoveries on Earth, within our solar system and beyond are bringing us closer than ever to finding alien life on other planets. The term "us" would clearly mean to imply everyone.
Works Cited
Abbasi, Jennifer. "The Search Is On." Popular Science Oct. 2011: 37-44. Print.
Ransford, Matt. "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History." Popular Science June 2008: Print.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Finding E.T.
Where do we start looking to find extraterrestrial life? It seems many people have different opinions on this and also on just exactly which of us should be looking. In comparing two different articles from two different authors both of which were published by Popular Science magazine, you can definitely tell the difference of opinions in terms of genre.
In "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History" author Matt Ransford makes it pretty apparent that his intended audience is professional scientists. Much of the terminology of the article would only be understood by professional scientists. Much of the article goes over the history of finding trying to find alien life through science. It even discusses equations. Very clearly this information would only seem interesting to scientists. The article also explores the future of finding alien life, also through science. The article would be rather boring to someone who wasn't a scientist.
On the other hand, in "The Search Is On" author Jennifer Abbasi clearly uses the public as her intended audience, in particular those interested in supporting extraterrestrial life, astronomy, and space exploration programs. Abbasi uses laymens terms and the article is very interesting and understandable by most normal people. Abbasi clearly tries to drum up support for these programs from the public and even cites ways to send money to the programs. While science is definitely involved in the article, it is written to appeal to the public.
The really shocking part is that both of these articles were published by Popular Science Magazine. The genre of both articles are very telling to their audience and their views. It seems unusual though to see both views in one publication. However, the Ransford article was published in 2008 and the Abbasi article was published just this month. Many state sponsored extraterrestrial life programs have been closed during this time period, which would lead one to reason that this is the reason for the newer publication.
Genre helps me to understand the similarities in the articles. The subject matter and methods discussed are much the same. However, genre also helps me to visualize the difference in intended audience by the language that is used, and also descriptors. The Ransford article is much more technical and would be boring to many members of the public. The Abbasi article seems to say we should all be doing this together, while the Ransford article seems to say if you're not a scientist, don't bother trying to read this.
Of the two, I much prefer the Abbasi article because its easier to understand. I don't need a dictionary and a science book to read it. The Ransford article, however, does contain more beautiful pictures. Maybe thats the part the rest of us are supposed to "read".
So even though we are all looking for E.T., it would seem as if there's a difference of opinion on who should be looking.
Works Cited
Abbasi, Jennifer. "The Search Is On." Popular Science Oct. 2011: 37-44. Print.
Ransford, Matt. "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History." Popular Science June 2008: Print.
In "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History" author Matt Ransford makes it pretty apparent that his intended audience is professional scientists. Much of the terminology of the article would only be understood by professional scientists. Much of the article goes over the history of finding trying to find alien life through science. It even discusses equations. Very clearly this information would only seem interesting to scientists. The article also explores the future of finding alien life, also through science. The article would be rather boring to someone who wasn't a scientist.
On the other hand, in "The Search Is On" author Jennifer Abbasi clearly uses the public as her intended audience, in particular those interested in supporting extraterrestrial life, astronomy, and space exploration programs. Abbasi uses laymens terms and the article is very interesting and understandable by most normal people. Abbasi clearly tries to drum up support for these programs from the public and even cites ways to send money to the programs. While science is definitely involved in the article, it is written to appeal to the public.
The really shocking part is that both of these articles were published by Popular Science Magazine. The genre of both articles are very telling to their audience and their views. It seems unusual though to see both views in one publication. However, the Ransford article was published in 2008 and the Abbasi article was published just this month. Many state sponsored extraterrestrial life programs have been closed during this time period, which would lead one to reason that this is the reason for the newer publication.
Genre helps me to understand the similarities in the articles. The subject matter and methods discussed are much the same. However, genre also helps me to visualize the difference in intended audience by the language that is used, and also descriptors. The Ransford article is much more technical and would be boring to many members of the public. The Abbasi article seems to say we should all be doing this together, while the Ransford article seems to say if you're not a scientist, don't bother trying to read this.
Of the two, I much prefer the Abbasi article because its easier to understand. I don't need a dictionary and a science book to read it. The Ransford article, however, does contain more beautiful pictures. Maybe thats the part the rest of us are supposed to "read".
So even though we are all looking for E.T., it would seem as if there's a difference of opinion on who should be looking.
Works Cited
Abbasi, Jennifer. "The Search Is On." Popular Science Oct. 2011: 37-44. Print.
Ransford, Matt. "The Search For Extraterrestrial Life: A Brief History." Popular Science June 2008: Print.
Friday, September 2, 2011
"The Future of Space: Cluttered Space"
In "The Future of Space: Cluttered Space" (August 2010) Popular Science's David Kushner discusses the dangers posed by space trash to astronauts and spacecraft, and the current scientific proposals to remove the trash. This article uses science by explaining how each device would remove the debris from low earth orbit, and the pros, cons, and plausibility of each device. It uses laymens language to explain the dangers posed and how important it is that we remove this debris that is of our own creation. The article explains the science behind each device, how it works, is made, and if it would actually work to push the debris out of orbit where it would burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
Did you know that currently there are over 500,000 man made objects in low earth orbit bigger than 4/10 of an inch? Did you know that an object 4/100 of an inch could kill an astronaut? NASA currently predicts a "catastrophic collision" once every 20 years. These figures give some understanding of the threat this space trash poses.
This article examines the possibilities of using lasers, solar sails, tethers and nets, space mist, robots and adhesives to remove said objects out of low earth orbit into our atmosphere, where the objects would burn up.
The article appears to be written for anyone interested in the space program and in new technologies to do with space objects. The indicators that give clues to the audience are the explanations posed to the threat to the space program and those involved in space. No mention of any dangers posed to objects or people on the planet are ever mentioned. Also, the article gives a good explanation of how each device would work, what materials it would be made of, and the pros, cons, and plausibility of the devices actually working. This would seem to only be interesting to those interested in space and new scientific technologies.
Did you know that currently there are over 500,000 man made objects in low earth orbit bigger than 4/10 of an inch? Did you know that an object 4/100 of an inch could kill an astronaut? NASA currently predicts a "catastrophic collision" once every 20 years. These figures give some understanding of the threat this space trash poses.
This article examines the possibilities of using lasers, solar sails, tethers and nets, space mist, robots and adhesives to remove said objects out of low earth orbit into our atmosphere, where the objects would burn up.
The article appears to be written for anyone interested in the space program and in new technologies to do with space objects. The indicators that give clues to the audience are the explanations posed to the threat to the space program and those involved in space. No mention of any dangers posed to objects or people on the planet are ever mentioned. Also, the article gives a good explanation of how each device would work, what materials it would be made of, and the pros, cons, and plausibility of the devices actually working. This would seem to only be interesting to those interested in space and new scientific technologies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)