English and Mathematics
Mathematics 91: Intermediate Algebra I &
English 100: Essay Writing
Nancy Kennedy
Deann Leoni
Edmonds Community
College
English
100/Kennedy Fall 2002
Essay #3
History of Math: Comparison &
Contrast Essay
Due Dates:
Working
Thesis and 4-5 research questions: Thurs., Nov. 14th
Notecards
for at least 3 sources: Fri., Nov. 15
Annotated
Bibliography: Tues., Nov.19
Complete
phrase/sentence outline: Fri;, Nov. 22nd
Complete
draft for peer review: Mon., Dec. 2nd
Final
version in manuscript form: Fri., Dec. 6th
Length:
4-5 pages,
typed or word-processed, double-spaced
Purpose of the
Assignment:
To apply what
we’ve been learning about the strategy of comparison and contrast analysis to
one of the topics below. Your essay’s general purpose will be to explain to
your audience (Deann, Nancy and your classmates) an important outcome of your
analysis of two subjects by comparison and contrast. I’ll include more
specific suggestions for purpose in some of the prompts below.
Assignment:
Write a thesis-driven essay on one of the following topics. (A full, clear
statement of what you have learned or gained from your comparison & contrast of
one of the following pairs of subjects should serve well as your thesis for this
assignment.)
Compare and contrast
-
Newton and
Leibniz, both considered to be the fathers of calculus (your purpose might be
to explain the influence of culture on their separate processes of developing
calculus)
-
Piero dela
Francesca vs. Albert Durer’s use of math in their art
-
Works of art
(especially paintings) before the Renaissance with works of art from after the
Renaissance in terms of their use of perspective
-
Two
different cultures mathematical systems and achievements (Mayan, Babylonian,
European, Indian, Chinese,…)
-
Two
successful women mathematicians from different periods in history (explain the
historical connection between gender and success in the discipline of math)
-
Algebra vs. Geometry as gatekeeper for student access to higher education
(explain how Algebra vs. Geometry came to be used as gateways; persuade your
reader which you think should be used, if either.)
-
The ancient
"schools" (such as Ionian School, Eleatic School, Pythagorean School, Platonic
School, School of Aristotle, School of Alexandria,…) vs. math "education"
today (in universities)
-
The number
systems of two different civilizations
-
Counting
devices (quipus, abacus, calculator,...) (Explain how they evolved, how they
worked, and what happened to them.)
-
Numerals of
two different times/civilizations (Example: Roman Numerals versus
Hindu-Arabic Numerals)
-
Two
different methods of Record keeping, time measurement, or calendars (from two
different civilizations)
-
Two
different proofs for the Pythagorean Theorem
-
Developments
of Pascal's Triangle from two different cultures or people
-
Other
ideas? (You’re welcome to come up with your own pairs of subjects for this
comparison and contrast essay, but you must get approval from Deann
and/or Nancy.)
Organizing
your ideas:
Chapter 13 of
our text explains two generally accepted strategies for organizing and
developing compare/contrast essays: “subject by subject” and “point by point.”
I recommend that you follow the point by point pattern. It may take a
little more effort to develop an outline for the point by point pattern, but in
the end it is easier to write because transitions between topics are easier to
handle. I will be distributing a worksheet to help you generate and organize
ideas for this essay.
Required
Elements:
-
Clear thesis
statement. Your thesis should be articulated as a claim that unifies all the
points of contrast and comparison about the two math subjects you’ve chosen to
research and analyze.
-
Organized
body paragraphs. Use topic sentences!
-
Internal
citations that follow MLA guidelines.
-
A “Works
Cited” list that follows MLA guidelines. (at least 3 sources are required)
-
Readable and
grammatical sentences.
-
Coherent
presentation of ideas (smooth train of thought). Use transitions liberally
but carefully!
Notes:
1.
You probably will not be able to say everything there is to say about
each of your subjects. Think about your audience, purpose and thesis as you
make decisions about what to include in your essay.
2.
The main topics you discuss for one subject should be discussed for the
other. Although the same main topics should be discussed for each subject, it
is not necessary to discuss these topics in equal detail.
3.
Make sure your main observations or claims are fresh and interesting.
That is, avoid obvious comparisons and contrasts. Your reader will be
most interested in a paper that has new information or suggests new ways of
seeing things.
4.
Use rare or interesting concrete details to support your general
observations and claims.
5.
If you need help understanding mathematics you encounter, see Deann early
in the process. She will help determine if the math is at an appropriate level
to include in your paper.
Resources:
-
Five books
that relate to History of Math are on reserve in the EdCC library.
-
Pro-quest
and other academic databases can be accessed in EdCC library.
-
Check out
periodical indexes in EdCC library.
-
Conduct you
own interviews with instructors on our campus.
-
Books that
relate to the History of Math are on the shelves in the library and can be
checked out.
-
Deann has
many books related to these subjects. You can check these out from her.
-
The internet
has many sites. Be careful, however, as many of them are unreliable. A few
good ones to use are: