Rhetorical Genre Analysis

Assignment Brief

Rhetorical Genre Analysis about the article "Why Scientists are Interested to Study DNA of Ancients?"

Sample Answer

The article "Why Scientists Are Interested to Study DNA of Ancients?" explores how ancient DNA (aDNA) research helps scientists uncover historical human migration, evolution, diseases, and cultural connections. This analysis examines the rhetorical strategies and genre conventions used to effectively communicate scientific information to a general audience.

Genre and Purpose

The article belongs to the popular science genre. Its main purpose is to inform non-specialist readers about a complex scientific topic in a simplified and engaging way. It bridges the gap between scientific research and public understanding by using accessible language and relatable examples.

The article’s structure is expository, starting with an introduction that raises the question of why ancient DNA is important. It then presents key findings and reasons behind the growing interest in this field, such as tracing ancestry, understanding ancient diseases, and learning about extinct species. The article avoids overly technical language, which is typical of this genre.

Audience and Tone

The intended audience is the general public, possibly including students, casual science readers, and those interested in history or genetics. The tone is informative, neutral, and engaging. There are no complex scientific terms without explanation, which shows the writer’s intention to include everyone in the conversation, not just experts.

For example, instead of detailing complex genome sequencing techniques, the article explains how analysing ancient bones can reveal migration patterns or genetic traits. This keeps the information digestible while maintaining the reader’s interest.

Rhetorical Appeals

The article makes effective use of ethos, logos, and pathos:

• Ethos (credibility): The author builds trust by referring to current studies and quoting scientists or reputable institutions.

• Logos (logic): The argument is supported with logical explanations, such as how comparing ancient and modern DNA helps understand human evolution.

• Pathos (emotion): It appeals to curiosity and the emotional excitement of discovering ancient secrets, like “unlocking a genetic time capsule.”

Style and Language

The style is clear, concise, and conversational. Sentences are relatively short, and paragraphs are well-organised. The article uses examples and analogies, such as comparing ancient DNA to “clues from a detective story”, to explain abstract ideas.

There is no use of scientific jargon without explanation. If terms like “mitochondrial DNA” or “genetic mutation” appear, they are explained using everyday comparisons.

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