Article Review
Wood, J. and Guth, A. (2014). East Africa's Great Rift Valley: A Complex Rift System.
Geology.com. Accessed From http://geology.com/articles/east-africa-rift.shtml
This main theme of the article relates to the geology and specifically the formation of the east Africa’s rift system. The authors’ information relates to the nature of the rift system within the East African regions of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The article considers the rift as one of the greatest geological phenomena. They demonstrate the way the rift system formed, what the rift system entails, and relate points of geological interests.
The article provides a number of evidence that tries to explain the very nature of the rift system. For instance the authors make the comparison between the Great Rift Valley features and the features that characterize the Grand Canyon. This aspect helps the reader to have a better understanding of the rift features and the effects that the rift system in East Africa has on the lives of the people. With regard to the information on the formation of the Great Rift Valley, the article backs its assertions by providing evidence. Among the evidence that the authors use is the recent basal eruptions and the crevice formation that enabled people to learn firsthand the manner in which the rift features such as the ocean basins emerged.
The manner in which the authors present the information such as the use of sub-headings is encouraging and facilitates better understanding to readers. The use of pictures to show the physical features associated with the extensive Great Rift Valley is an interesting aspect as it provides the reader with persistence of vision. This strategy by the authors creates an exposure effect that is psychological that makes readers develop to develop a level of familiarity with the phenomenon that the article seeks to explain. As regards the entire article, there are no glaring factual errors.
Weaknesses
Basically, the information provided in the article is precise, enlightening, and capable of spurring further research regarding the nature of the East Africa’s Great Rift Valley.
Mortenson, T. (2003). The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and its Ramifications for Life in the
21st Century. Answersingenesis.org. Accessed From http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/tj/v18/n1/old-earth-geology
The information of the author regarding historical contention of new theorists on the subject of the historical perspectives of creation is a good starting point. This is because the information enlightens the reader about the main argument that the new theorists advance. The author further provides a sneak preview of the debates that existed before the emergence of the new theorists. This creates a point of departure for the readers who are not aware of the contrasting debates that have previously existed and the new positions taken by the new theorists. This form of introductory strategy gives one a better comparative understanding of the pre-existing debates and the theme of the article before the author delves further into his argument.
The presentation of the information is strategic and follows a proper flow of the thoughts of the author. Because of the proper information flow, the reader is able to have a better understanding of the information that the author tries to convey. This aspect is further complemented by the author’s use of subheadings and first person’s writing. Further, the author considers other arguments made by other scholars regarding various relatable issues. The use of other writings from other scholars makes the information that the author presents scholarly. Referencing the information from other scholarly sources makes the information in the article more convincing. As regards the forgoing, the author’s presentation of the information through relating the past, recent, and present geological debates as well as their effects is proficient.
Weaknesses
The information that is presented in the article and the manner in which it is presented does not favor young readers. Young readers are sure to encounter difficulties understanding the information as the information is a bit complex. The fact that the information presented is precise but with considerably many references affects the originality of the author’s information. Too many references suggest that the author is only reproducing what other scholars have already considered. Accordingly, readers may feel that the author used some references merely to increase the frequency of the citations rather than using only the most important citations. This shows that the author is only summarizing the references rather than analyzing them.
The article and the information provided by the author are educational and can be used as a precursor for further research and debates regarding creation and evolution phenomena.
References
Mortenson, T. (2003). The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and its Ramifications for Life in the
21st Century. Answersingenesis.org. Accessed From http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/tj/v18/n1/old-earth-geology
Wood, J. and Guth, A. (2014). East Africa's Great Rift Valley: A Complex Rift System.
Geology.com. Accessed From http://geology.com/articles/east-africa-rift.shtml
