National Geographic Precis

Rhetorical Précis:
Druids Committed Human Sacrifice, Cannibalism?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090320-druids-sacrifice-cannibalism.html

James Owen’s article Druids Committed Human Sacrifice, Cannibalism, featured in the National Geographic resurrects the claim that the ancient Celt leaders the Druids may have performed ritual sacrifices and even been partakers of human flesh. Owen uses a number of quotes and some vivid imagery to provide reason and evidence as to why many historians would consider the Druids as cannibals or leaders of ritualistic sacrifices. Owen uses a quote from Roman emperor at the time of the Druids Julius Caesar as evidence on why historians and archaeologist would think badly of the Druids who, “believe that the gods delight in the slaughter of prisoners and criminals, and when the supply of captives run short, they sacrifice even the innocent.” Owen even uses a fact about the Lindow Man who was discovered in England in the 1980s who had manicured finger nails and a preserved gut, but with bones broken as to take out the ingestible bone marrow. The discovery of the Lindow Man suggest that the Druids could have been leaders who performed ritual sacrifices or cannibals who devoured humans in a painful manner, “rope tightened around the neck,throat cut”, because of advancing Roman troops. Owen’s purpose is to bring to light more evidence and support for the claim that the ancient Druids could have been cannibals.

Discussion Questions:
Style: Does the numerous quotes in Owen’s article made by historians make the argument more plausible even though some evidence is only inferences?
Application: Could the possibility of Druids being cannibals have influenced other peoples?

Time Article Precis

Ashley J. Lewis
Per. 6: AP English Language
March 17, 2009

Rhetorical Précis:
A New Approach to Designing the AIDS Vaccine

The article A New Approach to Designing the AIDS Vaccine by Laura Blue discusses the efforts made by several scientists and researchers to come up with a new and effective vaccine for AIDS by using antibodies naturally produced in the body. Blue investigates the new approach to finding a cure for the growing AIDS epidemic while also exposing a number of the failed attempts at discovering a cure. Through the use of expert opinions and quotes from known researches, statistics, and facts Blue is able to better interpret the ideas that researchers have for designing a new AIDS vaccine. In her article Blue quotes a top researcher at Rockefeller University in New York who studies the antibodies that can possibly help to prevent AIDS; Michel Nussenzweig stated, “It’s the first time that anybody’s really looked at what the antibody response is.” Blue demonstrates the drastic need for an AIDS vaccine when she cites the significantly high number of AIDS cases throughout the world in 2007 alone, “…with some 2.5 million new HIV cases worldwide in 2007, including nearly half a million children.” Blue’s purpose is to spread knowledge about, what appears to be, promising breakthroughs with AIDS. Her audience is comprised of health enthusiasts and people who care about the increasing AIDS epidemic.
Discussion Questions:
Style: Does Blue’s constant use of quotes make the writing appear too filled with face and not enough writing?
Application: Would the general public do anything to possible aid the researchers?