The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis

Words: 577
Pages: 3
Open Document
Author John M. Barry wrote a descriptive, in depth passage accounting the 1918 flu epidemic in the book The Great Influenza. He uses an exploratory tone to explain scientists and their perplexing research to the readers of his book. Barry utilizes anaphoras and rhetorical questions numerous times through his passage to enlighten readers on scientific research. Barry opens his entire passage with the use of an anaphora. He reveals the importance of certainty regarding scientists and their research by stating, “Certainty creates strength. Certainty gives one something upon which to lean.” The repeat of the word “certainty” accentuates to the reader of Barry’s book that a scientist needs to be certain of himself to exceed. Barry proceeds using
Show More

Related Documents: The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis

The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis

In John M. Barry’s The Great Influenza, the author utilizes allusions to build a connection with his audience and build his ethos, but more importantly to display the vital message of his claim. No science paper can be written without an allusion to Einstein because just as “Einstein refused to accept his own theories until his predictions were tested,” readers refuse to accept scientific information unless it comes from a source they find reputable. Barry’s decision to include Einstein built a connection…

Words 252 - Pages 2

The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis

In the passage from The Great Influenza an account of the 1918 flu epidemic John M. Barry uses rhetorical questions, figurative language and knowledgeable diction, and in order to characterize scientific research and what it takes to become a successful researcher. Barry uses rhetorical questions to provoke critical thinking in the audience. He asks a series of questions such as “would a pick be best, or would dynamite be better?” in order to show the decisions scientists must make. The questions…

Words 385 - Pages 2

The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis

necessities of scientific research, rises out of comradery, investigator helping investigator. Barry maintains a politic tone in order to convey to the readers the significance of these traits to face the world of the unknown. In this passage from The Great Influenza, John M Barry employs the consistent use of juxtaposition, sententia, and parallelism, while varying his syntax and using punctilious diction to illustrate the importance of embracing the unknown. In the first paragraph, lines 1 to 5, Barry…

Words 907 - Pages 4

The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis Essay

world. Questions such as why is the sky blue and is the universe infinite, are the questions scientists study. Through scientific research these questions are answered. Furthermore, John M. Barry, in The Great Influenza writes about scientists and their research. Consequently, by using rhetorical devices such as contradictions, metaphors, and repetition he makes a well stated claim on scientific research. Barry begins the passage by contradicting the words certainty and uncertainty. He uses “certainty”…

Words 458 - Pages 2

The Great Influenza Rhetorical Analysis Essay

discover a solution. Times of struggle, such as the world-wide shutdown of 2020, dramatically heighten the already existing difficulties of scientific research. In his work The Great Influenza, John M. Barry writes about a similar time of struggle: the 1918 flu epidemic. Throughout his work, Barry implements various rhetorical devices to characterize the uncertainty and risk involved in scientific research. Barry opens this passage with the simple statement that “[c]ertainty…

Words 591 - Pages 3