“Stiff” by Mary Roach Essay Assignment
FINAL ESSAY: Consider a scenario where a member of your family has decided to donate their body to science. Many of your relatives are opposed to this decision. How would you support your family member's decision?
Essay Structure (guideline)
I Introduction (paragraph 1)
General Statements
Thesis Statement
II Body
A. Topic Sentence (paragraph 2)
1. Support
2. Support
3. Support
(concluding sentence)
B. Topic Sentence (paragraph 3)
1. Support
2. Support
3. Support
(concluding sentence)
C. Topic Sentence (paragraph 4) - optional
1. Support
2. Support
3. Support
(concluding sentence)
III. Conclusion (paragraph 5)
Restatement or summary of the main points and thesis statement, include final comments or thoughts.
Other Essay Ideas (check with your instuctor about your options)
What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of surgeons using cadavers to practice new surgical techniques?
It is said that the living should treat the dead with dignity. What does this mean? What sort of behaviors are dignified? What sort of behaviors are not dignified?
If nothing can stop the decay of organic tissue, what procedures are used to slow or halt this decay to preserve a corpse. Why bother to preserve them at all?
What would the world be like if cadavers had never been used in automotive impact research? What advantage do cadavers have over robotic dummies?
Some states have laws regarding beating-heart cadavers. Why would some people object to using these cadavers for organ donation? Consider both sides of the argument and take a position.
Historically, it was forbidden to study human cadavers, and even in modern times it can be difficult for researchers to obtain cadavers. Do you think that unclaimed bodies should be automatically donated to science? Why or why not?
Consider all of the ways a body can be used in research, are there some uses that have more scientific value than others? Why might it be necessary to impose laws or restrictions on human research that uses cadavers?
Related Resources
Post-It Stiff by Mary Roach; in this assignment students have a less formal method of reading where they use post it notes to highlight various ideas and insights as they read.
Chapter Questions for Stiff, by Mary Roach - short questions for students to answer as they read the book