Richard Dawkins And Jerry Coyne: Rhetorical Analysis
Evolution, Creationism, Both, or Neither in Schools? In “One Side Can Be Wrong,” Richard Dawkins and Jerry Coyne argue that teaching creationism along side evolution does not make sense, and that creationism has no business being in the science classes. Richard Dawkins and Jerry Coyne are evolutionary biologists at Oxford University and the University of Chicago. They published this essay in the Guardian in September 2005, seeking to appeal to middle-aged parents. They argue that creationism cannot provide any positive evidence to create a controversy and therefore should not be taught in schools to children and teenagers. On the other hand, there is a substantial amount of evidence for evolution where debate and conversation can arise.
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The use of rhetorical sentences helps get the reader thinking about the controversy between evolution and creationism. Dawkins and Coyne appeal to pathos as they set the tone of frustration and aggressiveness towards creationism. Creating this tone gets the reader more excited about the topic and more understanding to the author. Juxtaposition appeals to logos and allows the readers to understand why it would be illogical for creationism and evolution to be in the same category. It is much easier for the reader to compare evolution and creationism when two examples are given very close to each other. The authors’ appeal to logos is their most powerful tool in convincing their audience. They make many great points about why evolution should stand apart from intelligent design. Overall, Dawkins and Coyne were effective at persuading the audience in their favor. They appealed to ethos, pathos, and logos effectively causing the audience to be more invested into the argument and more likely to agree with them. These tools prepare the audience for their warning at the end of the essay about teaching controversies that are not really controversies. The authors say teaching creationism in the schools or any other false controversies would lead to the end of quality science
The use of rhetorical sentences helps get the reader thinking about the controversy between evolution and creationism. Dawkins and Coyne appeal to pathos as they set the tone of frustration and aggressiveness towards creationism. Creating this tone gets the reader more excited about the topic and more understanding to the author. Juxtaposition appeals to logos and allows the readers to understand why it would be illogical for creationism and evolution to be in the same category. It is much easier for the reader to compare evolution and creationism when two examples are given very close to each other. The authors’ appeal to logos is their most powerful tool in convincing their audience. They make many great points about why evolution should stand apart from intelligent design. Overall, Dawkins and Coyne were effective at persuading the audience in their favor. They appealed to ethos, pathos, and logos effectively causing the audience to be more invested into the argument and more likely to agree with them. These tools prepare the audience for their warning at the end of the essay about teaching controversies that are not really controversies. The authors say teaching creationism in the schools or any other false controversies would lead to the end of quality science