Read Stephen Jay Gould, "Darwin's Middle Road" and Issac Asimov's "The Eureka Phenomenon" paying close attention to how the writers develop thier positions of the role of intuition and experience in the discovery of principles.
Think about the voice of each writer. How does it contribute to his argument? How strong is the reasoning of each argument the writer uses? Even if the arguments are not intellectually strong, are they compelling, do you want to believe them? Why? Somewhere along the line of your reading and thinking you will form an opinion on the role of intuition BUT what you need to write about is HOW the essayists are alike or different. If you find their methods, voices, arguments in most ways different, then, write about what common elements bring them together DESPITE the differences. If you find their methods, voices, arguments in most ways similar, then, write about what divergent elements DIFFERENTIATE them DESPITE their commonality. Consider the following:
How stories are used in argumentation.
How facts are used and presented.
What elements are supposed or simply accepted rather than proved?
How does the writer build rapport with the reader? How he keeps it?
What implications can be derived from the writers conclusions?
Then, in a well planned comparison essay or a contrast essay develop three
critical points comparison or contrast to illuminate the meaning of each of
the essays. Use as your models "Kill 'Em, Crush 'Em, Eat 'Em Raw,"
"The Spider and the Wasp," "The Bee and the Spider," and
Twain's comparison of views of the river in Life on the Mississippi
as well as the lessons you learned from comparison of objects in class.
Keep in mind the structure of your essay (see the structure charts) and your own determination about the essays you are comparing. Regarding the point of departure you have chosen, are the essays more alike or different? Review the handout on comparison/contrast emphasis (on line as well) before you write the essay. If Gould and Asimov are more alike, you will, predominately, contrast the pieces. If they are much more dis-alike than alike, you will compare.
The essay is due in hard copy on Monday, November 18th at the beginning of class.
