Essay on Comparative Analysis

Words: 855
Pages: 4

Joel Spencer 3779350

Knowing and Knowledge Assessment 1 Comparative Analysis

This essay will be comparing and analysing the techniques used by two Melbourne based university lectures, Robert Manne and Patrick Stokes. Both dealing with the thematic subject of opinion.

Concerning Climate Change “Clear, Catastrophic threats, Manne opens the article with an anecdote, that a “part of the english syllabus [as a schoolboy] was “clear thinking”” (Manne 2011). This anecdote should set up a relevance and an accessibility to the reader drawing them in and sympathising with the argument that will be put forward. Almost a third of the article is dense with data. “1500 or so leading climate scientists” (Manne 2011), “928 scientific papers”
…show more content…
Both hold a similar status in

2

Joel Spencer 3779350

academia, and both are writing in well known intellectual publications. Manne’s article is heavily bulked down by statistics and evidence. Whereas Stokes’ doesn’t appeal as heavily to authority. If one was to concern themselves with only the need for evidence to be persuaded in an argument, then Manne is more reliable. Though, on reading his article it is not an effective persuasive piece. Manne’s anecdote, about clarity makes his argument look clumsy. Mannes argument is not clear, distinction between opinion and science isn’t made clearly . Additionally, Manne uses the term ‘layperson’ later on in the article. Layperson refers to everyone who is not an expert, a majority of his audience. It would be more effective to use the term ‘person’, rather than referencing their education with the term ‘layperson’. The language would surely sound a more inclusive, thus more persuasive. Evidence in an argument doesn’t make an argument more convincing or persuasive if the reader doesn’t sympathise with them. Stokes’ use of evidence is economical compared to Manne’s. He spends more time getting the reader to sympathise. Stokes brings his contention up in an educational space (the classroom) and makes mention that it is his responsibility to teach that contention at university level. Stokes makes himself the authority on the matter. If Stokes is an authority on the