Writing Techniques
In the text:
- Find at least three examples of where the author cites what experts say using indirect speech.
Climatologist Tyler Volk of New York University argues that...
Lovelock maintains that ...
Evolutionary scholar Richard Dawkins argues that...
- Find the only two examples of quotations in the article, or direct speech. Identify how they are structured.
At the American Geophysical Union conference on Gaia, Lovelock argued that diversity makes earth both stable and habitable: "You cannot have a sparse planet any more than you can have half an animal."
Says James Parks Morton, dean of New York City's St. John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral and a leading religious advocate of Gaia's: "The very nature of this hypothesis shows that we are now at a new moment when scientific and religious inquiry is directed to the same reality and discussed in a common language."
- Find the only one example where the writer cites an academic article in this text.
In a study recently published in the British journal Nature, he and colleague David Schwartzman asserted that, without the cooling effects of living things, earth would be 80 degrees F warmer.
- Think of synonyms for the following linking words: Nevertheless, In the beginning, and For example.
However, Initially, For instance
- The semi-colon (;) is used to join two clauses (a phrase containing a verb) and can be used without a linking word. Look at the example below and suggest a linking word to include after semi-colon.
Paragraph 2:
Lovelock was not the first to argue that earth functions like a giant organism; Scottish geologist James Hutton made the same point in 1785.
Lovelock was not the first to argue that earth functions like a giant organism; in fact, Scottish geologist James Hutton made the same point in 1785.
Paragraph 5:
Were oxygen levels to rise above 25%, spontaneous fires would break out; if they dropped below 15%, many higher life-forms would suffocate.
Were oxygen levels to rise above 25%, spontaneous fires would break out; whereas, if they dropped below 15%, many higher life-forms would suffocate.
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Part 2 Daisyworld* When Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis first appeared it attracted considerable criticism. Consequently, James Lovelock and colleague Andrew Watson developed a mathematical model to give the hypothesis more credibility and push it toward theory status. Published in 1983 the computer model called Daisyworld showed how Gaia produced feedback and identified the location of the control. In Part 2 of this unit you will explore this model.
Follow the link below: Daisyworld
Just for your information
In 2006 James Lovelock won the prestigious Wollaston Medal from The Geological Society in recognition of his many achievements, but notably for the Gaia Theory.
Follow the link below and read about The Geological Society, the Wollaston Medal and Lovelock's response to winning the prize. Wollaston Medal
Return to: Nature, Art & Language
© All Copyright, 2007, Ray Genet
