Mini-Research: Space and Imagination

Weston is driven by a philosophical perspective that is not uncommon to some today...

"'No care for hnau. Care for man.'
'But if it is neither man's mind, which is as the mind of all other hnau--is not Maleldil maker of them all?--nor his body, which will change--if you care for neither of these, what do you mean by man?'
This had to be translated to Weston. When he understood it, he replied:
'Me care for man--care for our race--what man begets--'
'Strange!' said Oyarsa.'You do not love any one of your race--you would have let me kill Ransom. You do not love the mind of your race, nor the body. Any kind of creature will please you if only it is begotten by your kind as they now are. It seems to me, Thick One, that what you really love is no completed creature but the very seed itself: for that is all that's left'"

Weston is influenced by scientific idealism, and by H.G. Wells-like stories of space and aliens, which were famous in Lewis' time. Lewis satirizes Wells' writing throughout the book. Let's get a flavor for what kind of cosmic world Weston, Devine, and even Ransom live in...
Intro:


The Wellsian Nightmare: Orson Welles’ broadcast

What is motivating contemporary space exploration? Are these good motivations, and will they result in the 'happy climes' that Ransom sees and experiences, or in the Wellesian (e.g. War of the Worlds) nightmares that Weston and Devine experience?

1. Key Terms--place in writing notes, title "Notes on Research"

Thesis: the main idea or core argument in a piece of writing; in research, the answer or response to the question.
Primary Sourcekey or central text in question (Out of the Silent Planet)
Secondary Sourcewriting about a primary source, researching or in conversation with other thinkers about the primary source
Argument: a logical train of thought that makes and proves a pointyour own unique contribution to an on-going conversation about the primary and secondary sources.
Claim: the part of the argument that clearly states the point to be made.
Evidence: the part of the argument that proves that the point made is true.
Summary: a type of evidence that gives an overview of main points or details of a primary or secondary source.
Quote: a type of evidence that provides a direct quote from the primary or secondary source.
Paraphrase: a type of evidence that re-phrases a direct quote from the primary or secondary source in different words.

2. Choose an option below. Create annotations for each article on a document in your groups that include the following:

a. Summary of the author's main argument or main point and evidence
b. How the article provides material with which the question can be answered.
c. Any observations of connections between the article and Out of the Silent Planet.

Options:



4). Research (in partners, only one essay per pair):

          Write a research essay that makes an argument in response to the question, and uses Lewis' book to provide insight or wisdom in this conversation. In your essay, showcase your research by citing at least two of the provided articles and at least two quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Out of the Silent Planet that would bring wisdom to this conversation.

·         Write complete, grammatically correct sentences.
·         Write your essay in a 4 paragraph scheme:
o   Paragraph 1: Introduction + Thesis (answer the question)
o   Paragraph 2: Evidence and argument from first source + Lewis quote
o   Paragraph 3: Evidence and argument from second source + Lewis quote
o   Paragraph 4: Conclusion (re-state thesis and main points)

Review MLA Format--in-text citations
You will be submitting one essay per pair to turnitin.com, and one paper draft. Put both your names in the heading.
Due Tuesday, 9/1.

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