Can We Know The Universe

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Can We Know The Universe

Can We Know the Universe? Reflections on a Grain of Salt by Carl Sagan – p. 887-892

Guided Annotation – Annotate your book based on the following questions. Be sure you could answer the question based on your annotations.

1. What is the function of the epigram by Emerson? How does it relate to the essay as a whole?

2. Many of the paragraphs in the essay begin with coordinating conjunctions (a structure frowned upon by many high school English teachers). What is Sagan’s rhetorical purpose in using them as connecting devices?

3. What specific clues are there in the essay that Sagan’s tone is one of excitement and celebration regarding science?

4. Sagan refers often to what he calls a “law of nature”. Where and how in the essay does he explain, describe, or define this term?

5. The essay begins abruptly with an explanation of the concept of science. What purpose is served by diving into the subject so dramatically?

6. What is the intended effect of combining the terms universe and grain of salt in the title and the subtitle? How does the author exploit this juxtaposition in his essay?

7. Examine the italicized words in the essay. Why has Sagan chosen to italicize these words?

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