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Ishmael – The Future of Life
Audience and Purpose
Your audience for this paper includes others interested in these books, Dr. Colbert, classmates,
me, gorillas and chimps, etc.
Your purpose for this paper is to explore a question raised during your reading. Oftentimes when
reading, we encounter ideas that cause us to ask questions or seek out more information and
knowledge. I believe this sort of close reading and questioning is crucial to improving your
critical thinking skills. You may not always find answers to all of your questions, but it is
important that the questions get asked. The conversation about these topics must be started
somewhere and this paper may be the beginning of the conversation.
Planning and Drafting
Introduction – Think of a way to introduce your audience to your topic in an innovative way – a
question, a statistic, or an anecdote. As a beginning, be sure your claims, as well as reasons,
warrants, and evidence, are sound. Think about how you will explore your topic and construct
your argument in such a way as to be broad enough in appeal, yet focused on presenting pertinent
information.
Because not all the readers will agree with your ideas, you will want to consider opposing
positions and address those views. You should look for areas of commonality and acknowledge
the different opinions that are out there. You should present a well-rounded, logical argument for
the position you are taking. You definitely need to show that you are knowledgeable about the
topic.
Also, make sure that your paper adds to the conversation and discussion surrounding the topic,
don’t just repeat what you have read, give us a new perspective. Your search to argue for your
position is difficult because you will have to come up with additional information that makes
your paper worth reading. That new information might be evidence; it might also be a careful
analysis of how you position the paper. Make your argument so the readers can better appreciate
the ideas you profess.
Evaluation Criteria - Your Paper:
Contains a thesis statement that situates the
argument you are addressing
Has well-organized, logical, and coherent (TS,
PS, SS) paragraphs that are unified through the
use of transitions
Projects a reasonable tone and adds to the
conversation (does more than simply restate the
original ideas presented)
Contains visuals where appropriate
Evidence of adequate support or evidence for your
position – you must use the book as your primary
source of information: quotes, summaries, and
paraphrases. If you using other sources, you must
provide a copy of the material used.
Uses correct format for quotes/documentation (APA
format) and contains few errors in
correctness/mechanics
Due Dates:
1. First draft of paper due
class so you should provide a complete draft.
2. Final draft due
– we will peer edit the paper in
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Topics for Paper – Ishmael and The Future of Life
Is it man’s (woman’s) destiny to rule the world? What exactly do we mean by rule?
Are there laws of life (as mentioned by Ishmael)? Explain what they are according to Ishmael
and/or Wilson.
Quinn tries to espouse a philosophy about the environment. Describe this philosophy.
Why do we listen to Mother Culture? What are her motives for maintaining the present
culture/for changing the present culture?
How can we find out how to change? What to change and how do we enact this plan?
How is it possible that Mother Culture says that we have certain knowledge about things like
atoms, space, travel, and genes, but we have no certain knowledge about how people are
supposed to live?
Why do we constantly listen to Mother Culture? What power does she have over us that make us
follow what she says?
Has evolution ended with the creation of man or will it continue on to something bigger?
What will happen to our environment if we don’t stop doing what we are doing?
Are humans morally responsible for protecting the environment?
Why does man think he is superior to all other creatures on Earth and can do what he pleases with
the environment?
Was creation completed when man was created?
Why is it important for Ishmael to be a gorilla?
“The world was made for man and man was made to rule it.” What are the implications/results of
this statement if it is true/false?
Are humans more advanced than all other animals? Not just technologically, but truly more
advanced as a specialized species.