Erin Kaye
10/28/19
AP Bio
Current Event #6
Willyard, Cassandra. “New Books Explore Why Dogs and Humans Have Such a Special Bond.” Science News, 18 Oct. 2019, www.sciencenews.org/article/review-dog-is-love-our-dogs-ourselves.
Cassandra Willyard in her article “New Books Explore Why Dogs and Humans Have Such a Special Bond” discusses two new books that were released, Dog is Love by Clive Wynne and Our Dogs, Ourselves by Alexandra Horowitz. Willyard explains the differences in the books. Wynne was skeptical at first if dogs love us but his research reveals that “not only do dogs love us” but their “capacity and desire to connect with humans” makes them unique. The book looks into theories of domestication, genetic and biological research, to explain why dogs are so devoted to humans. Horowitz’s book gives an “overview of the culture of dogdom.” She addresses the light and dark sides of the issues and questions if it is right to look at dogs as our property. Both authors address the breeding problem and the genetic defects that the purebred pool spurns out. Both articles propose changing the ways people treat dogs and laws that deal with dog ownership. Willyard advises the readers to buy the two new books.
The findings in the article could have many effects on our current society. Previously research on dogs was not overly done because of the risk of anthropomorphizing them. However, the more attention and research we do the more people can learn how to properly treat and love their dogs. Dogs are extremely social beings and Willyard addresses how leaving them alone in a house all day is one of the cruelest things we can do to them. From the article, people can learn to be smart dog owners and only own a dog if they can properly care for it. People can also be smart consumers and not pay for purebred breeds which leads to genetic malfunctions and the suffering. The more attention that is placed on dogs, the more help and protection they will get from the law to protect them from mistreatment. The article brings knowledge and attention to this issue.
The opening of the essay could have been improved. The anecdote writing did not flow with the writing consistent with the rest of the article. Even though the author was reviewing the two books she should not have told the audience to grab the books at the end. It made her sound that the only reason for writing the review was to pitch it to the audience and was not the best lasting impression. Instead, she should have told the reader where to find the book online or at their local book store if they wanted. Willyard was successful in addressing the main points in the books. The article was easy to follow and the reader gained a good idea about the two books and the issues.
Ellyn Paris
ReplyDeleteAP Biology
Mr. Ippolito
11/15/19
Current Event 8
Willyard, Cassandra. “New Books Explore Why Dogs and Humans Have Such a Special Bond.” Science News, 18 Oct. 2019, www.sciencenews.org/article/review-dog-is-love-our-dogs-ourselves.
Erin wrote a very interesting review on a topic that is relevant to our modern society. One of the things I found she did very well in her writing was explaining the significance of the topic she is addressing. She mentions how dogs are a part of many people’s lives, and therefore understand their emotions and their thoughts can help us become better dog owners. Also, Kaye’s comments on what the author could improve were very useful. She did not simply say if the article was good or bad, she mentioned how the anecdotes did not flow well with the rest of the writing. Furthermore, at the beginning of her review Kaye discusses the two books that were used as reference in the article, giving the reader a short preview of the major themes addressed in both books. This allows us to have a better understanding of the article as a whole by giving us information about what it discusses.
Although the subject Kaye wrote about seems very interesting, she did not explain the scientific side of the article enough. She expanded a lot on its impact on society, but not the biological aspects behind the unique connection between humans and canines. Also, she could have cited the quotes she used in her writing. It is very important to show where your sources are coming from, and while we have the article at our disposal, she should have put a page number to be more specific where she found the quote.
I learned thanks to this review that there has not been a lot of research on dogs and other domesticated animals because people have been scared that it would anthropomorphize them. I did not know that this was the reason why not more studies are being conducted.