Annika Young

Noyce

A4

19 March 2015

Jurassic Park Essay

Science fiction has long been used as a way for authors to warn society about

things that may come in the future. Often times these warnings are used when authors see

technology or behavior that may lead to dire consequences. Stories about these technologies or

behaviors are a way that authors can warn our society without directly lecturing the world​[Ma1] ​.

Jurassic Park​ by Michael Crichton has many examples of these warnings to society. The most

significant warning that Crichton gives is about how science has become an industry that’s sole

purpose is to discover and discover first, not attempt to benefit mankind and nature. Crichton

uses Malcolm as his main speaking piece, most directly during his conversations with Ellie. The

message that Crichton is trying to convey is about how science has become an industry

dangerous to the well-being of the Earth and much of human-kind​[Ma2] ​.

Malcolm is used as Crichton’s main speaking piece, directly stating many of

Crichton’s ideas ​[Ma3] ​while speaking with Ellie. While Malcolm is under the influence of

morphine, he is the vocal piece for Crichton: “Scientists are actually preoccupied with

accomplishment. So they are focused on whether they can do something. They never stop to

ask if they ​should​ ​do something…discovery, they believe, is inevitable. So they just try to do it

first…even pure scientific discovery is an aggressive, penetrative act. It takes big equipment,

and it literally changes the world afterward” (284 Jurassic Park​[Ma4] ​). Crichton is directly using

Malcolm to state his ideas about modern day science rather than using dialogue to hint towards

his beliefs. Because he is using Malcolm to directly voice ideas, it shows that it is a topic that
Crichton wishes to warn readers about. He states very clearly that science is just an industry

that strives to do things first rather than benefit the world. He attempts to warn readers that

science has hurt the Earth, and that scientific discovery requires changing the world, possibly

even damaging it. ​[Ma5]

Crichton is trying to convey that science has become an industry that is not good

for Earth or its inhabitants​[Ma6] ​. Towards the beginning of the book, Crichton provides

commentary on how recent advances have come about for melancholy reasons: “New species

were being discovered all the time at a pace that had increased in recent years, for a sad

reason. Costa Rica was becoming deforested, and as jungle species lost their habitats, they

moved to other areas, and sometimes changed behavior as well” (​21 Jurassic Park​). Part of

science is the discovery of different species in animals and plants, and the advances in science

that can come with their discovery. Crichton is commenting that science is hurting the world

because many of our recent species discoveries have been because of deforestation. ​[Ma7]

Deforestation is an act that hurts the world and many of its inhabitants. Because discovering

species can lead to many more advances in science but also endanger species, it further

supports Crichton’s argument, perpetuated through Malcolm, that science is not good for the

world.

Crichton’s most significant warning is about the science industry doing work just

to be the first ones to discover something rather that make attempts at benefitting humans and

the rest of the Earth. Malcolm is used as a way for Crichton to speak about his ideas directly,

most specifically while Malcolm spoke with Ellie. The main message that Crichton is trying to

convey is that science is not good for the Earth; it hurts the world and its inhabitants.

9-Point Essay Rubric

Score Required Components

7-9 · ​Introduction moves from general to specific, shows understanding of the complexity of the
 topic.
· ​Strong claim, clearly developed and arguable, analytical, answers all aspects of the prompt,
and followed by and organized and clear outline of supporting reasons.
· ​Each paragraph is properly written with a strong topic sentence that supports the claim.
· ​Includes at least one substantial and relevant quote in each body paragraph. These quotes tie
in directly with the topic sentence.
· ​Quotes are set naturally within the narrative of the paragraphs.
· ​Quotes are followed with in-depth warrants which analyze and interpret. They do not
summarize.
· ​Conclusion paragraph reviews the major points of the claim and supporting reasons.
· ​Is written in 3​rd​ person, punctuates and cites correctly, and contains few grammatical errors.

5-6 · ​Introduction contains “empty” sentences that chatter rather than actually introduce. May be
disorganized.
· ​Contains a claim that is vague or unfocused, one that may not answer the prompt but rather
addresses parts of it. Supporting reasons follow, but they are unclear and vague or they are
summaries.
· ​Topic sentences are present, but do not sufficiently support the claim.
· ​Quotes from the work, but the evidence presented may not actually fit the point being made
and/or may improperly set into the narrative of the essay.
· ​Warrants after quotes contain light analysis, but they mostly describe or summarize.
· ​Conclusion either reviews the claim or supporting reasons, but not both fully.
· ​Errors in sentence structure, informal voice, and/or grammar will be more serious and
detract from the essay.

2-4 · ​Introduction may be short, incomplete, or may fail to properly introduce the material.
· ​Claim will be simple, may hint at the prompt, but not answer or address it.
· ​Paragraphs are simple and undeveloped, lacking strong topic sentences and may be short
and lacking commentary.
· ​Quotes are merely mentioned, are poorly chosen, or are missing.
· ​No warrants or analysis given in body paragraphs.
· ​Conclusion may short, incomplete, or off-topic.
· ​Will have major spelling and/or grammar errors. May be written in 1​st​ or 2​nd​ person.

0-1 · ​Inappropriate response.

· ​Little understanding of the prompt conveyed.
· ​Simply a summary of the book.

20 Point Assignment
[Ma1]​Youropening sentences fully introduce the idea of science fiction providing commentary or
warnings to society. You did so without re-quoting Spielberg. You also did so without mentioning
Jurassic Park​ or Crichton specifically in this general introduction.

[Ma2]​Your claim and reasons answer the prompt. They clearly state what Crichton’s warning
about science or technology is to readers. You also clearly state what character or situation
reflects this warning.

[Ma3]​Specify
the idea/warning. You want your topic sentences to be clear about what the
paragraph will prove.
[Ma4]​Fix citation. Citation should like this (Crichton page#) (Crichton 284)

[Ma5]​What in the evidence conveyed this?

[Ma6]​Yourtopic sentence directly supports claim and reasons. It makes clear what you will be
proving and it clearly ties in with the reason/example mentioned in your introduction.

[Ma7]​Was the deforestation the fault of science? If so, be sure you make that clear in your
warrant. You need to connect an evidence deal with your claim.