The author writes in two parts.The first is what is happening and the second is the history of the subject.When she is writing about the present she is describing what is seeing and who she is talking to.She is very vivid when describing what she saw.When she is giving the history on a subject like how doctors used to determind if u were died in the mid 1800s. She is constantly switching between these two parts
I though that the author wrote exactly how you described. For me it seemed to be a very interesting way of writing because I have never read a book that was written in this particular way.
That's what I also though, she switches between what's happening and the history of the subject. I think the author does that to grab and maintain the readers attention at the book
I agree with you in that Mary Roach writes in two parts, one being in the present or her experiences, and one being history of the topic. I also agree with you that she is very vivid, and clearly details what she experiences.
I think the same way, she definitely talked about her experience first, then about the history. I as well thought she wrote in very vivid detail. She wrote everything well thought out.
I agree with you as you said she first talks about her experiences dealing with cadavers, and then the history behind it. The book was well worded out and it made the book very interesting.
She did go through different periods of time to support what she said in the story, that way we would learn the information more and absorb what she said.
I agree with you completely Mary roach writes in two parts her present vivid experiences with cadavers and then she researches the history of the cadavers.
I agree with what you wrote explaining the two different types of writing she had. I noticed that in every chapter she would fir use her experience, and then explain the history.
Mary Roach has a peculiar way of writing her book because as Moises points out, she writes about what she is experiencing first, then the history behind what she learned. When she tells the reader what she learns there is no detail left out. When she goes into detail about the history it's as if she was there herself, it's like reading a history book. In ways the writing is dramatic, like when she tells us about beating heart cadavers, the way the surgeons open the incisions and so on. The author doesn't necessarily treat time well in y opinion, she goes back and forth between her experience and history, almost like a lecture, but an interesting one at that.
I agree with how you said the author left no detail out when she tell the reader what she learned. You could really tell that the author finds this topic very interesting because of how much detail she would give.
I agree that when she talks about history its like a history book. It provides as much information as possible for that period in time and their opinion of the use of dissection in science.
I agree the writer writes about what she is experiencing fist,then the story behind what she learned. But also you got to admit that she makes the story sounds fun and interesting. At first I thought there was nothing fun about using cadavers for experiments, I thought they were boring and was disrespectful to be experimenting on but this book showed me the fun and interested things about cadavers.
I agree, I think it is most dramatic when Roach tells the stories about cadavers. It's almost like a movie or a play and I think that's one of her techniques on how she keeps the reader interested.
I agree, her way of writing is very different from most authors. I like the comparison to a history book. I did find myself feeling like it was a history book at times. I also agree with you when you say she doesn't treat time well. I found myself getting confused with time sometimes.
I thought the story was dramatic, but she changed the mood by making us laugh with a light joke. I have to disagree with you, she does treat time well. She goes back and forth from past to present to give us more exposure to the methods of cadavers being used.
I agree, Mary Roach does have a way of explaining, where she says her experience first than goes back in history. Its like speech but the kind of speech you don't get tired of hearing because she makes every experience funny and positive rather than making the concept of death as horrific as others see it. Though there are many times when i got lost because she does go back and forth with history, but other than that at the end of every chapter i understood what i read.
I agree, Mary roach did write this book in a way I have never read a book before. Also agree on the part that the book is basically separated into two parts, leaving no detail behind. Additionally, I believe that the author is able to maintain someone’s attention by adding some sarcasm and excess description, in my opinion. At points, I believe the description was too descriptive and at times made me feel a bit uncomfortable. She did go back and forth a lot which also makes, me feel that she did loose track of time. With all this, I still believe the author was able to get her purpose to this book across very well.
I like the way she wrote the book by adding history. Instead of just writing the facts, she mentions her own personal thoughts. She makes the book more interesting with humor.
The author writes by first describing her current experience and what she is doing and looking at, then she sort of zones out and starts to talk about the history of different aspects of the human cadavers and what has changed. The author also has a very vivid way of telling her stories. The author right from the beginning of the book reveals her opinion of the scientific use of human cadaver but later on in the book it seemed to me like she didn't really share her opinion as much. The writing of the author is more vivid than dramatic. The author went back and forth when it comes to how she treated time, between what was actually going on to the history or a story behind it.
I agree with you that the writing of the author is more vivid than dramatic, and about how she reveals her opinion about cadaver use in the beginning of the book, but it falters off later in the book.
I agree with you on the way Mary wrote. Her imagery in the book was fascinating. Helping the book come to life. And yes, i did realize how she gave her own opinion of cadaver use inn the beginning of the book.
I also think that she has amazing imagery and that she is very vivid. but I think that she did express her opinion sometimes it was just very discrete and you could barely tell it was there but I did see it quite often.
Yes i agree that Mary organizes present and past facts to make the book more interesting for the reader. But i have to disagree it seems that she is more comical than vivid, but still tries to convey accurate details.
Like you, I think that the writing is more vivid than dramatic, in my opinion its not dramatic all. If anything its the complete opposite because of her humor.
I agree with you. I think that this is what makes Mary's book interesting and informative. It has a perfect balance that doesn't make you feel like you are reading a science book.
The writer tells the story through describing what is happening to her at the moment, and then switching to events in history to compare how it was then as opposed to how it is now. She seems to make her chapters too long, and sometimes I feel as if though I've been reading hours to finish one chapter. However, with the amount of pages and the size of the text, she conveyed her message and gave many facts that will probably come in handy in biology.
I agree that she does convey her message well, and that she loads us with information, but I didnt think the chapters were overextended; they seemed the right size.
I agree with you and Jessica. Mary Roach conveyed her message very well. I also felt that some of the chapters often felt very lengthy and never-ending. Overall I still think it was a very good book and Im sure it will be very useful.
I also agree with all of you, at points the author's texts did become extended. I honestly felt that some of these chapters weren’t going to end. Il be honest with you, for some I did have to take breaks in between finishing specific chapters since they were extremely long. I do believe that since I learned a lot and I completely understand the author, she has a reasoning to be so detailed and vivid. It was only so everything was written out and no doubts came across your mind as you read it.
I believe that the writer tells the story in a fun kind of way. She makes cadavers whose some people considered boring and disrespectful into a fun and interesting story. she puts a lot of humor into the stories so that they can sound interesting. the writer tells the story as if she was experiencing it as most of you already mention and also she tells some of the stories in the past, for example when she was telling the uses of cadavers years ago.
I agree, the way Mary wrote about Cadavers makes them seem cool and fascinating to learn about. She gave history to go along with it, but just enough to not bore someone while they read the book.
The writer tells the story by switching between telling a story and giving us a history lesson. Reading the book felt more like having a conversation than actually reading a book. Instead of being creepy most of the time, Mary Roach, uses comedy.
I also acknowledge the fact that the author does give us the information by directly talking in a one on one manner. I believe that her technique makes the book more likeable to read. Furthermore, I would assume that she did this so the book wouldn’t be so disturbing to read since it is a book all about cadavers.
I agree that she switches between history and her experiences which make the story interesting. I also agree that since cadavers can be creepy at times that it is good that she uses comedy to lighten the tone.
I do agree with you on the part that the author does switch an awful lot between her experience and history. I think that the reason she does this is to entertain you, while at the same time keeping you actively thinking about that was currently going on. I also agree on the part that she adds comedy into the book to reduce the amount of i guess you can say "disturbing" parts.
The author tells the story by writing her own personal experiences and Scientifics experiments. She reveals the truth behind cadavers and their many uses but concealing their identities. The writing is not dramatic, sometimes she even make jokes, it is kind of a funny narrative with the writer and scientists opinions about a specific matter with cadavers. I think she uses her time very good, she travels to a lot of different places of the U.S.A and the world, met a lot of people, and just for the sake of learning more about cadavers.
I do admit that Mary Roach uses charm to make her funny and informative at the same time. She does reveal much information that I haven't known about, and respects the cadavers identities.
I agree with you Vinicius, I liked how she wrote her personal experiences but also wrote about the scientific experiments that she done or seen. The fact that she was so committed in learning about the human cadavers and be willing to travel around the world is really inspirational. I don't know anyone who would travel around the world just to know what human cadavers are used for (except for Ms./Mrs. Mary Roach).
Mary Roach tells her story by first telling her experiences, and then wedging in the history of that subject. The writer reveals the innermost parts of her research, even a few gory parts that others might not have put in. She does not conceal any information; everything is out in the open. The writing isn’t exactly dramatic, but it isn’t subtle either. The author doesn’t make time important, she puts information where she thinks is relevant or necessary; its not sloppily done at all though.
She definitely tells her story very well by inserting her own firsthand experiences and I think that improves the relationship between the author and the reader. Mary Roach is very honest in her feelings and thorough in her descriptions, and I agree that she was well organized and thoughtful in the way she put the novel together.
The author writes in a unique style of writing, because she likes to write her personal experiences with a subject that she is talking about and then giving us a brief history on the subject. Also, she tends to give very vivid details when she is informing us about her personal encounters with a subject. In addition, she tends to write in a way that makes you want to gasp because she writes about things in the book that I personally never heard of; like for example, how doctors perform facial anatomies on corpses. In my opinion she writes in a way that captures your attention; which makes the book more enlightening and interesting to read.
I disagree that the author's writing style is unique, because many authors before have inserted their own experiences into books with added history, and research. I believe it was a very good combination for Mary Roach to use in her novel, though, and I think that her experience, research, history, and details combined made for a very well thought out and entertaining book. I agree that it captures your information and helps make the book more interesting to read.
Roach’s approach in writing “Stiff” is to provide us with a specific way that a cadaver is used and then she goes into detail . For example she went to a bioengineering building at Wayne State University to observe the testing of dummies and cadavers alike to see how much force they can take in a car crash. This is one of the many different examples Roach uses in her book. Roach studied the history of medicine throughout the world to learn about cadavers. The writer reveals that to learn a topic you need to know the history. She conceals nothing, giving us great detail in each and every chapter. While describing the scene in chapter 1 she spares no details, “The heads have been put in roasting pans - which are of the disposable aluminum variety - for the same reason chickens are put in roasting pans to catch the drippings.” The writing is not dramatic but informative. The author uses time in an interesting way, she goes from present day to ancient Egypt to the 18th century all in one page.
I agree that Roach does write in a way that makes herself unique from other writers by including first hand information about cadavers while also involving a little bit of history to give us a better understanding about cadavers.
Mary Roach tells the story in various ways, she talks about the history of Cadaveric research, and she also talks about her experiences with the topic. When the writer talks about the history of the research, she is very vivid, detailing what happens, and providing various examples. In her experiences though, she goes step by step through what she sees, and she explains it vividly, with a lot of clarity. She conceals the emotions of dealing with this, and she does not show her emotions often throughout the book. i do not believe that the writing is too dramatic, it is more vividly described and to the point. Roach switches time very fast, one second she is detailing her experience, while the next she is talking about history that has happened hundreds of years ago.
Mary Roach does tell the story in various ways. The history of Cadaveric research was interesting to say the least. Many years, people have experimented and some were successful and some unsuccessful. Mary does have vivid wording and describes with clarity. Though her emotions never seem to get in the way of the real picture.
Mary Roach tells the story by describing her first hand experience (okay maybe not her first experience) then goes into the history events and then asks questions from students, historians, anatomists and people she has met. She reveals the truth about the cadavers, its unruly past and many of the uses today. In my opinion, she did not conceal anything whether it be her opinions, the back story, or her experiences. Mary didn't really make time her first priority, she puts information where it is needed and makes it interesting and humorous to read.
The author tell the story in three different steps by first telling us her experiences, secondly she gets in depth about what she is currently doing, and the final step she goes into the history of the human cadaver. The writer is revealing the honest truth about the human cadavers and about the various uses in research (or science). She is trying to conceal the identities of the human cadavers. The writing isn't really dramatic but more informational but also has humor. The writer switches most of the time from the information to the current situation to the background history of the cadaver.
The author of the book tells the story by telling us bits of history along with a story to go with it. The writer reveals the honest truth about cadavers and how they are used in science. The writer honestly does not conceal anything, but rather tells everything to make it more informative. The writinng in the book is dramatic as inn play like, with alot of humor. And the timing in the book is not important. Mary puts innformation where it is needed but does so in a proper way.
I certainly agree that the author doesn't hold back with the truth. I remember all the imagery used to portray the decomposition of the human body after death.
Good point about the information Roach throws in. All the information that she throws in seems to be relevant to the topic. Its interesting how see has the ability not to go off topic too much.
Hardly was I ever left with more questions about an occurrence after having read about it in Stiff. Mary Roach did an exceptional job revealing all that was needed to picture the many events she did or did not even attend; that's just how vividly she described them.
Roach wrote the novel by adding personal experiences of her own and giving a brief history about human cadavers. The writer reveals to the readers the the truth about cadaver testing and how it has helped science evolve. I felt as if the author was really straight forward.For that reason, I say she did not conceal anything. The writer has a unique way to switch time by telling information about what currently is going on with cadaver testing and how it's has evolved from back in the day.
Roach wrote this novel by describing what is going on, then talking about the history of what she learned. She seemed to go back and forth alot, but it was interesting. Her writing isn't dramatic, but it is very detailed and vivid. I don't think she concealed anything, i think she actually put every little detail out there. She revealed everything she saw, with detail. I believe Roach used time okay, even though she switched back and forth quite quickly. From her experience, to history.
It's true, Roach wasn't exactly worried too much about the time sequence of the events she was describing and would jump from era to era. Also, just as you, said she was incredibly cautious about giving as much detail as possible to keep the reader fully informed.
Mary Roach divides the chapters in to parts. She describes whats she's doing, she then gets very detailed, sometimes on what's being done to the cadaver, sometimes about her conversations, later in the chapter she adds history on the topic. The author reveals the different ways of experimenting on cadavers and how it helps the living. The author wanted the readers to understand how important cadavers are by revealing every last fact about them, leaving her nothing to conceal. I do not believe the writing is dramatic but it is very vivid making you feel as if you were with Roach experiencing everything she is writing about. The writer as I said before includes history, therefore she would be talking about what she is currently doing and later to switch the history of the topic .
I agree with the idea that Mary Roach divides her chapters in parts, because it may not be completely obvious at first, she has a pattern for describing the subject in the chapters. Also, it's definitely true that although her writing isn't dramatic, it does not lack in vivid descriptions and details.
The writer tells the story by describing her experience at a certain place that makes use of cadavers as well as informing the reader of historical events involving the evolution of anatomy over time. The writer reveals a plethora of details about her encounters. I'm not too sure what she conceals, but if anything, I would think it would be the unnecessary details. The writing is much more humorous than it is dramatic. The writer uses events of the past that are significant to an experience of hers while researching cadavers and their many uses.
Mary Roach tells this ‘story’ by telling us the reader of her personal experience with the subject she is on. She always uses dialog and a lot of imagery with what she sees. She then proceeds to tell us more of a scientific explanation to what is happening. She writes very unbiased in most cases but sometimes she very subtly inputs her opinion in a way that you barely notice it. I believe that this story is mostly factual and dry opposed to being dramatic. I really don’t think of it more than that. I don’t think that Mary Roach really focuses on time. In each chapter thing are chronological but other than that each chapter is like its own little episode. She sometimes reflects back to another chapter but I don’t think they really represent any sort of time line. She writes very freely and how she wants.
I believe that the author of this "story" was very vivid when she would write about the present and would relate the present to the past. I also believe that Mary Roach was not dramatic so much as she was descriptive; she is a vivid writer and gives her opinion some times on the topic. I believe that Mary Roach does not really conceal anything to the reader due to her vivid descriptions and opinions. Also in my opinion she makes the book very chronological as if it were a television series/
Mary Roach writes the story in two ways. The first includes how she is experiencing what cadavers can do. Then second includes on why it’s done, she adds in a lot of factual information and the reasons on why its happening. She reveals the story in a sense of way where it just makes it you question and wanting to read more until you can figure out exactly why it’s being done the way it is. In my opinion the writing seems to be dramatic in some parts because after all, you’re dealing with a dead person, but its no where near like a play in my opinion. The author doesn’t treat time that important, she moreover likes to add in detail and strong supporting facts.
Yes, I agree. She does indeed write the book in two parts in how she adds in information and personal experience. Her writing style is indeed in such a way that it makes you want to read more as she adds a dramatic yet humorous tone when talking about cadavers in various topics.
The author, Mary Roach writes in an organized yet captivating manner that keeps the readers interested. Each chapter address a different way of using a cadaver, for instance the chapter, 'A Head is a Terrible Thing to Waste' specifies cadavers' long usage by surgical practitioners or the chapter, 'Beyond the Black Box' which demonstrates how injury analysis on cadavers have helped solve mysterious crashes. At the beginning of each chapter Roach addresses the main point whether it be by her own firsthand experience, in which readers are let in on her thoughts and feelings, or by another account in which she gives much detail and background information. However, she doesn't revel the complete story yet. Only after the main point is addressed does she goes on to explain the history of the procedure done to the cadaver, how it has changed over time, why it was done, and its uses or accomplishments, along with interesting anecdotes. The writing is not dramatic, actually it is blunt but vivid, impressing the reader considering the weird and delicate cadaver concepts in the book. The author leaps from modern times to ancient times, and many other periods in between. She treats time pretty lightly because her main purpose is to get across the information she has, and this information just so happens to be everywhere across time.
Mary Roach is a very captivating writer with all the details she puts in the book. With the history of the cadavers, it intrigues the reader even more because it isn't like she is just typing facts, she is actually incorporating it into the book in a very great way.
The author tells the story by describing her experiences. She then proceeds to go on with the history events. Mary Roach reveals the many uses of cadavers. In my opinion, throughout the book she conceals the emotions on how people deal with this. Other than that, she revealed pretty much everything so that the readers could understand. The writing isn't necessarily dramatic. It's quite vivid, which caught my attention. The writer takes her time going through details about cadavers, the history, and science experimentation.
I don't think she entirely concealed the emotion on how people deal with cadavers. She leaves a few comments now and then on how people would react if they didn't allow themselves to become desensitized from death (such as the medical students who use cadavers to practice surgical techniques), or how families would react if they knew what type of experiments their deceased loved ones would take part in.
The way the author (Mary Roach) writes the book is by her first hand experience. She always explains in detail what her experience was like as well as her thoughts and opinions. She also tends to write about different facts about the particular topics with footnotes and gives a short history lesson on the topic. The book doesn't seem to be in chronological order, and most of the experiences she was talking about were in the 2000's. Her writing can be a little dramatic, but in a comical way that usually conveys how she is feeling.
Couldn't have explained it better myself. Roach definitely does speak in a first person point of view, adding to the amount of detail that she can see (or even smell) and enhancing the reading experience. The humor that you mentioned is included as well.
The writer tells the story in a first person point of view. She gives us extraordinary details on her experience with cadavers. The writer reveals the various uses of cadavers, and where they are used. It seems as if Marcy Roach hasn't concealed anything from the reader, she gives extraordinary details on her experience, and makes it seem like we haven't missed anything on the process involving cadavers. The writing is not as dramatic as a play. But it is surprising, shocking, and rather funny. Roach treats time by bringing the story to different periods of time in history to give supporting details that cause the reader to be more knowledgeable of the information she wants us to absorb.
Mary Roach writes the book by either starting a each chapter with a historical event or her first hand experience. This varied type of writing is important because sometimes she needs to grab the readers attention by giving her first hand experience while other times she needs to set the story up with some background information. The writer reveals in this story everything the reader can possibly imagine on the use and or abuse of cadavers. Mary Roach conceals most of her private live we know she doesn't teach anatomy but she has vast knowledge of science but I don't think she has had any medical training. I don't think that the story is dramatic I think it is topical and sequential, but it holds you attention. I think the writer shows how times have changed and how science and medicine are different than they used to be.
When writing “Stiff”, Mary Roach uses a combination of presenting her experience that correlates to the topic of the chapter, and then backs it up with historical, learned and researched knowledge. But, it’s interesting how she tops off her book with her use of vivid imagery, and the use of incorporating her opinions, and thoughts. This way the reader can connect more with the text.
Agree wholeheartedly. She structures her writing in such a way that makes it feel like you are actually there, in front of a lifeless body occasionally doing things like testing out military equipment and car crashes. How exciting!
I completely agree, with you Celine, I feel Roach's writing style is what really got me to connect with the book. and like John said, Roach's has this unique way of making the reader feel as if they were right there. Which makes the book even more interesting.
Roach tells the story through a first-person perspective while she attends different experiments and procedures done to cadavers, concealing almost nothing that happens throughout the procedure. This gives Mary an opportunity to describe, in details, what happens at these "meetings", allowing the reader to feel as though he/she is really there with Roach. The author deals with time by having it fall in chronological order from when she left her house to when she came back from the cadaver meetup. The writing is not too dramatic, but it definitely is descriptive.
I agree with you because she always has conversations in the chapters like when she is talking to the plastification guy in the end. I didn't really notice that the time was chronological. Now that I think about it, it really was. Finally I definitely agree on descriptive!
I heavily concur with your sentiment; Mary Roach exceedingly illustrates those "meetings" in such a way that the reader feels as though they have gone along with her.
The author, Mary Roach starts off by sharing her current experience and what she’s going through in the introduction. In my opinion, I think the writer tells the “story” in a very organized matter. She often goes slightly off topic at times going on with her personal thoughts and such, but overall gets her point across by the end of each chapter. Each of the twelve chapters in “Stiff” carries its own setting and story. While telling the stories she is extremely descriptive and thorough. She often includes history related to the research being done and reveals important information to help describe her experiences. She also provides readers with additional details and feedback marked at the bottom of some pages. I do not think any of the information is being concealed other than possibly a few intimate details that may be too gory for some, but that is rarely the case. I don’t find the text too dramatic besides some of her detailed discoveries mostly because of the many dry facts she put out. Lastly, the writer sure does not pay much attention to time. She seems to write freely and fluently without hesitations nor any care what so ever towards time. She also manages to keep the reader interested, entertained, and engaged in the topic.
I agree with you Estrella, Mary Roach uses her current experiences with the cadavers,in all twelve chapters of the book. Then, she gives the history related to the research. Throughout the whole book she has been very descriptive; she makes you feel as if your right there, next to the human cadavers.
The author tells the story in a very interesting way. Roach tells the story in a way I’ve never read a book before. When she goes on her journeys to discover different cadavers, scientists and their contributions to society, a lot of detail is given to help you imagine the scenes, giving you the sense of almost being right there with her. Throughout the book, the author reveals interesting historic information and stories that have to do with each of the discoveries. The author also added a more disturbing yet fascinating side to the book giving it a more interesting touch. The author does this by giving vibrant details and descriptions. At some points, the writing does get a bit dramatic but I believe it is also the more entertaining part. The author tells the story in a methodical but interesting way. The writer often feels as she lost track of time as she goes on telling her stories. All in all, the message of the book was understood. She got her point across. She was also able to maintain the book interesting and entertaining too.
Mary Roach explains the story of this book in a way that changes my entire perspective about cadavers. By her going on various journeys reveals many things about cadavers that I didn't even know myself. She uses a lot of historic information to explain how cadavers improved science as we know it. Throughout the book the writing does get a little dramatic, but she makes it more interesting by using imagery to explain the details of her surroundings to give the reader a piece of what she sees. Even though she may have lost track of time through the book, she still gets her point across.
The author writes about her interviewing professionals about how cadavers help their field of science and then continues to add historical aspects on the subject. Her style may get a little "over dramatic" but she still tells the story in a concise organized manner. Her imagery is somewhat gross to think upon, but what do you expect when talking about cadavers? She tries to give you all the details -even the ones you might not even want to know- and shares her own personal opinions. Nonetheless i believe her style of speaking is totally proper for this subject.
Mary Roach starts the text either explaining her experiences being in the lab with the human cadavers or the history of the cadavers. She uses our daily routines and relates them to how we wouldn't be able to do them without the help of the human cadavers. Mary Roach has changed my whole perspective of human cadavers. She reveals the reasons behind human cadavers research experiments and also the history of human cadavers. Throughout the book she seems to get a little dramatic but it helps readers imagine what happens in those labs and hospitals. Mary Roach does not conceal anything to me. I believe she is vivid and informative about the cadavers. When she is writing, she seems to lose track of time in her book, but it helps her get her point across even more.
The writer tells the story by explaining what the cadaver is used for by providing very vivid details and facts about the human body. The author tells the story from her perspective, of how she sees what is going on around her and then she will also speak of the history of medicine and the treatments that were performed before cadavers were available. In my opinion the writing is not dramatic at all, it's more informational and casual. The author reveals plenty of information with her facts and stories. The author writes in chronological order, yet her writing seems like it flows like she doesn't rush it.
Yes, Mary Roach does tend to lean more to an informative and casual tone rather than that of a dramatic one, and at times it is whimsical and even acerbic. I too admire the way her writing flows without inserting those over-used transition words we are burdened with for our FCAT essays.
Mary Roach's narrative style, while certainly not unique or brand new, was a great way for her to approach the subject of human cadavers and the research used with them, as well as their history. She tells the "story" in parts; dividing the chapters into different aspects of human cadavers being used in science and she elaborates on each chapter's subject by using humor, anecdotes, history, and research. The writer reveals her own opinions and feelings on the subjects presented throughout the novel and gives a great lesson on what the human cadaver goes through and how it is used to benefit society. In my opinion, she does not conceal much and is very open and honest in her writing. If anything, she may have left out details that may have been too "boring" to the text (such as going into details of how a surgeon may prepare for a cadaver face lift, or how someone sets up a cadaver to test bullets). The writing does not feel like a play, but it does feel like a television show. It's not dramatic, but it's most certainly mean't to be humorous and I found myself often laughing at what she had written. The writer doesn't rush her words and takes her time writing out the information and says everything that needs to be said, within each chapter.
Usually when Mary Roach starts the chapters, she mentions where she is and what she is doing in the first person. Later on in the chapter she adds stories and research that relates to the chapter topic in the third person. She reveals all the information she knows about cadavers. Mary Roach didn’t conceal anything. She included her own personal thoughts even if they were disturbing, like when she was looking at the hacienda. Her writing wasn’t dramatic. The book was very informative and educational, with personal and historical touches. Mary was kind of all over the place with time zones. She would shift from the present to the past and back to the present many times in the same chapter.
I enjoyed her way of writing, she seemed to balance it out. She would use the scientific research from centuries back to compare how the scientific field has improved with the use of cadavers. I also enjoyed how she shared her personal thoughts on the matter, it made her seem more "human" in a way.
The author tells the story by first introducing the topic she wants to talk about in that chapter. Then she goes back in time and tells you what other scientists did or what techniques they used. Finally she goes back to what she was saying and tells you what is happened to her at that time. The writer definitely reveals that she put a lot of time an effort into this story. She also reveals at the end that her husband is squeamish near dead bodies. The writing in more informative than play like. The author loves to play around with time because, like I mentioned, she likes to go back and let you know how scientists back in the day would do a certain thing.
I agree, the author uses a nice tactic when narrating the story. She uses scientific research from the earlier centuries to compare how far the road has come with the use of cadavers. I was quite shocked when she revealed that she would let her husband decide what to do with her cadaver, but I also gained some respect towards her for that.
Throughout the novel, I saw as she learned about the cadavers so I gradually began wondering what she would like to do with her cadaver once she passes, and when she revealed that she would let her husband choose her cadaver's fate, I felt a certain respect towards her. What I also liked was how she expressed her opinion towards the situation. It gives the novel a more captivating feel to it. The way Roach treats time was also intriguing in the way that she would compare how scientific research has improved over time with the use of cadavers.
Mary Roach writes this story in two parts (the present and the past). In the present she writes with vivid details that make you feel like your their with her and when she writes about the past its like if you were in a time machine that took you to that exact location because of her vivid details. I don't think that the author conceals anything because of the way she writes the book. Its dramatic in its on way like when she talks about the patients that went into surgery without anesthesia. In my opinion she treats time like if she had a endless amount of time because when she sets her mind to do something she goes all out and literary forgets about time.
As everyone else does i also agree with the way that she writes these book she writes the present and the past you sorda don't notice when your ready because of the way she introduces it to you. Like surgery back then poor people had no money to pay for surgery so they just had to be operated by a student.
Mary Roach wrote in her present time, at a cadaver lab, at a restaurant, or on the other side of the world. She would observe what is going on in her situation and then give feedback or write about some history that relates to the topic. She went back and forth between her situation and the history. She revealed the history and reality of human cadavers. This kept us on our toes even though it was not dramatic but rather interesting and vividly described. -Meyling Yi
The writer ‘Mary Roach’ seems to give stories to support what is going along as the book continues. Also almost in progression and the willingness of wanting to know more and more about the Human body and what is in it. But she seems to reveal towards the end what everything really meant like what value she had in the book like her wanting to know how her body worked and what is inside of it. The secret that behind of this book that is shown in the text is what is the Human body, what is in it, what can it do, what makes such and such happen. But I would place this book as being almost like a play because it can be acted out, and when it is possible to be acted out it usually means that it supports a fact but with many different ways of explaining what it wants. With everything being all in one book, time is no limitation, it’s full of examples and stories of religious research and gory endings and even life lessons with no real story that can be told in few words.
Mary tells the story about cadavers very well she , for example, lets us know how they use dead people to make us wear seat belts even though its for our own safety. She is very vivid and she doesn't make cadavers seem so "DEADLY" and lets us know they have a purpose even though they are dead. Mary doesn't really think about time in this story although she is very considerate of the time she takes up of the people she is interviewing. She makes sure she puts her input in mostly everything she informs us about.
Mary writes the story in no specific order, but she does introduce herself in the beginning. Then, she starts explaining each and every story. It's not mentioned whether she wrote it in chronological order in which she discovered each story, nor are the stories in order of date. They are just in the order from beginning to end. She adds information on how she came across the information as well, also pin pointing anything that may confusing. The book reminds me of a kind of textbook that the author is also your personal friend who knows what questions you'll ask at the end. It's like a story, authors note, and biography at the same time- which is astounding in my opinion. This is the first book that I read in such a manner. By getting personal with you, the reader, Mary reveals to you in on some of her personal life problems. She does mention the sad reason of why she wrote this book, and the hardships it took to make it as well. Of course she keeps anything non-related to the book out of the picture, but that alone allows us to know many personal thing about Roach. All we necessarily need to know, at least. However, she doesn't conceal anything we need to know. She lets us into her life at a comfortable distance, as a completely random stranger we don't need to know what she does 24/7. All the information on the cadavers are there (Perhaps the names of some of the dead? probably there was a kind of copyright problem with something like that, considering you'd need the permission of the family to have a name be released- so considering this book is countlessly filled with several different bodies, it would be too much of a chore for the author.). You could say that Mary added Drama to the story. Of course, not Epic style Drama but she did put effort into making the book as humorous as she could manage. (That's some kind of drama, right?) However, Like every Drama, there is a time setting. Mary has this book set out like an old man telling campfire stories. She sits you down and explains the past, how she got knowledge about the past in the past, and how the past might affect the future. There is a specific time setting in which the story takes place, but the stories all take place at random times in the past. And conveniently, by keeping the setting in the present, all the past stories are neatly organized to make sense.
The author tells the story with a big sense of wit, humor, and she does not sugarcoat anything. Throughout the book she reveals her experiences with observing human cadavers and also touches upon some background information on anatomy and parts of the body. For example, she reveals her shocked opinions and information on how they use human tissue for operations like facelifts and penis enlargement. She even describes how grotesque the heads looked in a lab when they where put on chicken baking trays. All of this seems dramatic but it is true and that is part of what makes the story so interesting. On the other hand, she does conceal certain names of some anatomy students that she encountered in the lab and other really personal information. As far as time, the author describes her experiences as they came along but mentioned some history that tied into these events.
Lots-a things are revealed in this book, extending from historical evidence to recent findings regarding cadavers. Mary Roach really dug out what would have otherwise been lost over the centuries. However, she does conceal personal information from students whom she contacted. Her writing can be dramatic at times, but she always provides occasional comic relief to ease the mood. As for time and the telling of the story, often and often, she eloquently recounts historical events as if she had been there, watching and taking note of what occurred. She also writes in the present tense repeatedly, as if the book were some kind of personal blog that she’d update every day.
The writer tells the story by using vivid images that make you feel as if your actually there in there witnessing. The writer reveals everything she's learned on cadavers as well as her opinions towards cadavers. The writer does not conceal anything. The writing feels more informative than dramatic, trying to inform the readers about cadavers. The writer goes back and forth between the present and the past in an organized manner, using her experiences as well as history that relate to these events.
In the novel, the author writes in two different ways. The first portion is what is happening and the second portion is the history of the topic being covered in the chapter. When she writes about what is happening, she gives an adequate description of what she sees and whom she is talking to. When she is discussing the history of the topic, she uses very vivid details to help the reader better comprehend. She is constantly swapping between these two was of writing.
The author has a very particular writing style which I believe is very relatable as well as informative. The author Mary Roach is very descriptive. She practically assumes that you do not know about this topic and explains it very simple and effectively. She includes her own comments and opinions and adds a humorous touch to the facts while also making them dramatic as well as never forgetting the serious side to the topic. She reveals many important facts and various details about her meet-ups with the people who worked in anatomy. She also mentioned information about her experiences at the places where scientists and students work with the cadavers. She conceals personal information about most of the people she encountered. She writes in no specific time.
The author writes in two parts.The first is what is happening and the second is the history of the subject.When she is writing about the present she is describing what is seeing and who she is talking to.She is very vivid when describing what she saw.When she is giving the history on a subject like how doctors used to determind if u were died in the mid 1800s. She is constantly switching between these two parts
ReplyDeleteI though that the author wrote exactly how you described. For me it seemed to be a very interesting way of writing because I have never read a book that was written in this particular way.
DeleteThat's what I also though, she switches between what's happening and the history of the subject. I think the author does that to grab and maintain the readers attention at the book
DeleteI agree the author makes cadavers interecting to learn about with her writing style. She does it well with her storys and history of cadavers
DeleteI agree with you in that Mary Roach writes in two parts, one being in the present or her experiences, and one being history of the topic. I also agree with you that she is very vivid, and clearly details what she experiences.
DeleteI think the same way, she definitely talked about her experience first, then about the history. I as well thought she wrote in very vivid detail. She wrote everything well thought out.
DeleteI agree that the author writes in two parts in the present and in the past. Also I agree that she is very vivid in her writing this book.
DeleteI agree with you as you said she first talks about her experiences dealing with cadavers, and then the history behind it. The book was well worded out and it made the book very interesting.
DeleteShe did go through different periods of time to support what she said in the story, that way we would learn the information more and absorb what she said.
DeleteI agree with you completely Mary roach writes in two parts her present vivid experiences with cadavers and then she researches the history of the cadavers.
DeleteI agree that she does write in two parts in the present and past, but I believe she does this so we could get a better idea about cadavers
DeleteI too agree that the way she writes the story is by two parts. I also agree that she is vivd when it comes to what she sees and to who she talks to.
DeleteI agree she is giving a clear image of how the research was and how i is now.
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DeleteI agree with what you wrote explaining the two different types of writing she had. I noticed that in every chapter she would fir use her experience, and then explain the history.
DeleteMary Roach has a peculiar way of writing her book because as Moises points out, she writes about what she is experiencing first, then the history behind what she learned. When she tells the reader what she learns there is no detail left out. When she goes into detail about the history it's as if she was there herself, it's like reading a history book. In ways the writing is dramatic, like when she tells us about beating heart cadavers, the way the surgeons open the incisions and so on. The author doesn't necessarily treat time well in y opinion, she goes back and forth between her experience and history, almost like a lecture, but an interesting one at that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you said the author left no detail out when she tell the reader what she learned. You could really tell that the author finds this topic very interesting because of how much detail she would give.
DeleteI agree that when she talks about history its like a history book. It provides as much information as possible for that period in time and their opinion of the use of dissection in science.
DeleteI agree the writer writes about what she is experiencing fist,then the story behind what she learned. But also you got to admit that she makes the story sounds fun and interesting. At first I thought there was nothing fun about using cadavers for experiments, I thought they were boring and was disrespectful to be experimenting on but this book showed me the fun and interested things about cadavers.
DeleteI agree, I think it is most dramatic when Roach tells the stories about cadavers. It's almost like a movie or a play and I think that's one of her techniques on how she keeps the reader interested.
DeleteI agree that Roach has a particular way of writing her book firt where shes going then the history of the subject. Why is there no detail out.
DeleteI agree, her way of writing is very different from most authors. I like the comparison to a history book. I did find myself feeling like it was a history book at times. I also agree with you when you say she doesn't treat time well. I found myself getting confused with time sometimes.
DeleteI thought the story was dramatic, but she changed the mood by making us laugh with a light joke. I have to disagree with you, she does treat time well. She goes back and forth from past to present to give us more exposure to the methods of cadavers being used.
DeleteI agree that it is different writing styles than most authors with going from personal experience to history and back.
DeleteI agree, Mary Roach does have a way of explaining, where she says her experience first than goes back in history. Its like speech but the kind of speech you don't get tired of hearing because she makes every experience funny and positive rather than making the concept of death as horrific as others see it. Though there are many times when i got lost because she does go back and forth with history, but other than that at the end of every chapter i understood what i read.
DeleteI agree, Mary roach did write this book in a way I have never read a book before. Also agree on the part that the book is basically separated into two parts, leaving no detail behind. Additionally, I believe that the author is able to maintain someone’s attention by adding some sarcasm and excess description, in my opinion. At points, I believe the description was too descriptive and at times made me feel a bit uncomfortable. She did go back and forth a lot which also makes, me feel that she did loose track of time. With all this, I still believe the author was able to get her purpose to this book across very well.
DeleteI like the way she wrote the book by adding history. Instead of just writing the facts, she mentions her own personal thoughts. She makes the book more interesting with humor.
DeleteI agree that this was like a lecture to the point that we learn many things and that when she talks about history its like if she was there.
DeleteThe author writes by first describing her current experience and what she is doing and looking at, then she sort of zones out and starts to talk about the history of different aspects of the human cadavers and what has changed. The author also has a very vivid way of telling her stories. The author right from the beginning of the book reveals her opinion of the scientific use of human cadaver but later on in the book it seemed to me like she didn't really share her opinion as much. The writing of the author is more vivid than dramatic. The author went back and forth when it comes to how she treated time, between what was actually going on to the history or a story behind it.
ReplyDeleteI also thought the author wrote this way. Mary Roach uses amazing imagery and really makes the words come to life.
DeleteI agree with you that the writing of the author is more vivid than dramatic, and about how she reveals her opinion about cadaver use in the beginning of the book, but it falters off later in the book.
DeleteI agree with you on the way Mary wrote. Her imagery in the book was fascinating. Helping the book come to life. And yes, i did realize how she gave her own opinion of cadaver use inn the beginning of the book.
DeleteI also think that she has amazing imagery and that she is very vivid. but I think that she did express her opinion sometimes it was just very discrete and you could barely tell it was there but I did see it quite often.
DeleteYes i agree that Mary organizes present and past facts to make the book more interesting for the reader. But i have to disagree it seems that she is more comical than vivid, but still tries to convey accurate details.
DeleteLike you, I think that the writing is more vivid than dramatic, in my opinion its not dramatic all. If anything its the complete opposite because of her humor.
DeleteI agree with you. I think that this is what makes Mary's book interesting and informative. It has a perfect balance that doesn't make you feel like you are reading a science book.
DeleteThe writer tells the story through describing what is happening to her at the moment, and then switching to events in history to compare how it was then as opposed to how it is now. She seems to make her chapters too long, and sometimes I feel as if though I've been reading hours to finish one chapter. However, with the amount of pages and the size of the text, she conveyed her message and gave many facts that will probably come in handy in biology.
ReplyDeleteI agree that she does convey her message well, and that she loads us with information, but I didnt think the chapters were overextended; they seemed the right size.
DeleteI agree with you and Jessica. Mary Roach conveyed her message very well. I also felt that some of the chapters often felt very lengthy and never-ending. Overall I still think it was a very good book and Im sure it will be very useful.
DeleteI also agree with all of you, at points the author's texts did become extended. I honestly felt that some of these chapters weren’t going to end. Il be honest with you, for some I did have to take breaks in between finishing specific chapters since they were extremely long. I do believe that since I learned a lot and I completely understand the author, she has a reasoning to be so detailed and vivid. It was only so everything was written out and no doubts came across your mind as you read it.
DeleteI agree the book may be fascinating at times but sometimes i just wanted to wander of and do something else, because it was so long.
DeleteI believe that the writer tells the story in a fun kind of way. She makes cadavers whose some people considered boring and disrespectful into a fun and interesting story. she puts a lot of humor into the stories so that they can sound interesting. the writer tells the story as if she was experiencing it as most of you already mention and also she tells some of the stories in the past, for example when she was telling the uses of cadavers years ago.
ReplyDeleteI agree this book makes cadavers fun and interesting.She does this perfectly with the little history she gives behind cadavers.
DeleteI also agree with you. It seems like she uses the comedic aspect to go along with how conversational the book is.
DeleteI agree, the way Mary wrote about Cadavers makes them seem cool and fascinating to learn about. She gave history to go along with it, but just enough to not bore someone while they read the book.
DeleteThe writer tells the story by switching between telling a story and giving us a history lesson. Reading the book felt more like having a conversation than actually reading a book. Instead of being creepy most of the time, Mary Roach, uses comedy.
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DeleteI also acknowledge the fact that the author does give us the information by directly talking in a one on one manner. I believe that her technique makes the book more likeable to read. Furthermore, I would assume that she did this so the book wouldn’t be so disturbing to read since it is a book all about cadavers.
DeleteI agree that she switches between history and her experiences which make the story interesting. I also agree that since cadavers can be creepy at times that it is good that she uses comedy to lighten the tone.
DeleteI do agree with you on the part that the author does switch an awful lot between her experience and history. I think that the reason she does this is to entertain you, while at the same time keeping you actively thinking about that was currently going on. I also agree on the part that she adds comedy into the book to reduce the amount of i guess you can say "disturbing" parts.
DeleteThe author tells the story by writing her own personal experiences and Scientifics experiments. She reveals the truth behind cadavers and their many uses but concealing their identities. The writing is not dramatic, sometimes she even make jokes, it is kind of a funny narrative with the writer and scientists opinions about a specific matter with cadavers. I think she uses her time very good, she travels to a lot of different places of the U.S.A and the world, met a lot of people, and just for the sake of learning more about cadavers.
ReplyDeleteI do admit that Mary Roach uses charm to make her funny and informative at the same time. She does reveal much information that I haven't known about, and respects the cadavers identities.
DeleteI agree with you Vinicius, I liked how she wrote her personal experiences but also wrote about the scientific experiments that she done or seen. The fact that she was so committed in learning about the human cadavers and be willing to travel around the world is really inspirational. I don't know anyone who would travel around the world just to know what human cadavers are used for (except for Ms./Mrs. Mary Roach).
DeleteMary Roach tells her story by first telling her experiences, and then wedging in the history of that subject. The writer reveals the innermost parts of her research, even a few gory parts that others might not have put in. She does not conceal any information; everything is out in the open. The writing isn’t exactly dramatic, but it isn’t subtle either. The author doesn’t make time important, she puts information where she thinks is relevant or necessary; its not sloppily done at all though.
ReplyDeleteShe definitely tells her story very well by inserting her own firsthand experiences and I think that improves the relationship between the author and the reader. Mary Roach is very honest in her feelings and thorough in her descriptions, and I agree that she was well organized and thoughtful in the way she put the novel together.
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ReplyDeleteThe author writes in a unique style of writing, because she likes to write her personal experiences with a subject that she is talking about and then giving us a brief history on the subject. Also, she tends to give very vivid details when she is informing us about her personal encounters with a subject. In addition, she tends to write in a way that makes you want to gasp because she writes about things in the book that I personally never heard of; like for example, how doctors perform facial anatomies on corpses. In my opinion she writes in a way that captures your attention; which makes the book more enlightening and interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteI also never knew of what surgeons do for face lifts, I was amazed at how doctors perform the procedure on a dead body too!
DeleteI disagree that the author's writing style is unique, because many authors before have inserted their own experiences into books with added history, and research. I believe it was a very good combination for Mary Roach to use in her novel, though, and I think that her experience, research, history, and details combined made for a very well thought out and entertaining book. I agree that it captures your information and helps make the book more interesting to read.
DeleteRoach’s approach in writing “Stiff” is to provide us with a specific way that a cadaver is used and then she goes into detail . For example she went to a bioengineering building at Wayne State University to observe the testing of dummies and cadavers alike to see how much force they can take in a car crash. This is one of the many different examples Roach uses in her book. Roach studied the history of medicine throughout the world to learn about cadavers. The writer reveals that to learn a topic you need to know the history. She conceals nothing, giving us great detail in each and every chapter. While describing the scene in chapter 1 she spares no details, “The heads have been put in roasting pans - which are of the disposable aluminum variety - for the same reason chickens are put in roasting pans to catch the drippings.” The writing is not dramatic but informative. The author uses time in an interesting way, she goes from present day to ancient Egypt to the 18th century all in one page.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Roach does write in a way that makes herself unique from other writers by including first hand information about cadavers while also involving a little bit of history to give us a better understanding about cadavers.
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ReplyDeleteMary Roach tells the story in various ways, she talks about the history of Cadaveric research, and she also talks about her experiences with the topic. When the writer talks about the history of the research, she is very vivid, detailing what happens, and providing various examples. In her experiences though, she goes step by step through what she sees, and she explains it vividly, with a lot of clarity. She conceals the emotions of dealing with this, and she does not show her emotions often throughout the book. i do not believe that the writing is too dramatic, it is more vividly described and to the point. Roach switches time very fast, one second she is detailing her experience, while the next she is talking about history that has happened hundreds of years ago.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach does tell the story in various ways. The history of Cadaveric research was interesting to say the least. Many years, people have experimented and some were successful and some unsuccessful. Mary does have vivid wording and describes with clarity. Though her emotions never seem to get in the way of the real picture.
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ReplyDeleteMary Roach tells the story by describing her first hand experience (okay maybe not her first experience) then goes into the history events and then asks questions from students, historians, anatomists and people she has met. She reveals the truth about the cadavers, its unruly past and many of the uses today. In my opinion, she did not conceal anything whether it be her opinions, the back story, or her experiences. Mary didn't really make time her first priority, she puts information where it is needed and makes it interesting and humorous to read.
ReplyDeleteThe author tell the story in three different steps by first telling us her experiences, secondly she gets in depth about what she is currently doing, and the final step she goes into the history of the human cadaver. The writer is revealing the honest truth about the human cadavers and about the various uses in research (or science). She is trying to conceal the identities of the human cadavers. The writing isn't really dramatic but more informational but also has humor. The writer switches most of the time from the information to the current situation to the background history of the cadaver.
ReplyDeleteThe author of the book tells the story by telling us bits of history along with a story to go with it. The writer reveals the honest truth about cadavers and how they are used in science. The writer honestly does not conceal anything, but rather tells everything to make it more informative. The writinng in the book is dramatic as inn play like, with alot of humor. And the timing in the book is not important. Mary puts innformation where it is needed but does so in a proper way.
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree that the author doesn't hold back with the truth. I remember all the imagery used to portray the decomposition of the human body after death.
DeleteGood point about the information Roach throws in. All the information that she throws in seems to be relevant to the topic. Its interesting how see has the ability not to go off topic too much.
DeleteHardly was I ever left with more questions about an occurrence after having read about it in Stiff. Mary Roach did an exceptional job revealing all that was needed to picture the many events she did or did not even attend; that's just how vividly she described them.
DeleteRoach wrote the novel by adding personal experiences of her own and giving a brief history about human cadavers. The writer reveals to the readers the the truth about cadaver testing and how it has helped science evolve. I felt as if the author was really straight forward.For that reason, I say she did not conceal anything. The writer has a unique way to switch time by telling information about what currently is going on with cadaver testing and how it's has evolved from back in the day.
ReplyDeleteRoach wrote this novel by describing what is going on, then talking about the history of what she learned. She seemed to go back and forth alot, but it was interesting. Her writing isn't dramatic, but it is very detailed and vivid. I don't think she concealed anything, i think she actually put every little detail out there. She revealed everything she saw, with detail. I believe Roach used time okay, even though she switched back and forth quite quickly. From her experience, to history.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, Roach wasn't exactly worried too much about the time sequence of the events she was describing and would jump from era to era. Also, just as you, said she was incredibly cautious about giving as much detail as possible to keep the reader fully informed.
DeleteMary Roach divides the chapters in to parts. She describes whats she's doing, she then gets very detailed, sometimes on what's being done to the cadaver, sometimes about her conversations, later in the chapter she adds history on the topic. The author reveals the different ways of experimenting on cadavers and how it helps the living. The author wanted the readers to understand how important cadavers are by revealing every last fact about them, leaving her nothing to conceal. I do not believe the writing is dramatic but it is very vivid making you feel as if you were with Roach experiencing everything she is writing about. The writer as I said before includes history, therefore she would be talking about what she is currently doing and later to switch the history of the topic .
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that Mary Roach divides her chapters in parts, because it may not be completely obvious at first, she has a pattern for describing the subject in the chapters. Also, it's definitely true that although her writing isn't dramatic, it does not lack in vivid descriptions and details.
DeleteThe writer tells the story by describing her experience at a certain place that makes use of cadavers as well as informing the reader of historical events involving the evolution of anatomy over time. The writer reveals a plethora of details about her encounters. I'm not too sure what she conceals, but if anything, I would think it would be the unnecessary details. The writing is much more humorous than it is dramatic. The writer uses events of the past that are significant to an experience of hers while researching cadavers and their many uses.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach tells this ‘story’ by telling us the reader of her personal experience with the subject she is on. She always uses dialog and a lot of imagery with what she sees. She then proceeds to tell us more of a scientific explanation to what is happening. She writes very unbiased in most cases but sometimes she very subtly inputs her opinion in a way that you barely notice it. I believe that this story is mostly factual and dry opposed to being dramatic. I really don’t think of it more than that. I don’t think that Mary Roach really focuses on time. In each chapter thing are chronological but other than that each chapter is like its own little episode. She sometimes reflects back to another chapter but I don’t think they really represent any sort of time line. She writes very freely and how she wants.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the author of this "story" was very vivid when she would write about the present and would relate the present to the past. I also believe that Mary Roach was not dramatic so much as she was descriptive; she is a vivid writer and gives her opinion some times on the topic. I believe that Mary Roach does not really conceal anything to the reader due to her vivid descriptions and opinions. Also in my opinion she makes the book very chronological as if it were a television series/
ReplyDeleteMary Roach writes the story in two ways. The first includes how she is experiencing what cadavers can do. Then second includes on why it’s done, she adds in a lot of factual information and the reasons on why its happening. She reveals the story in a sense of way where it just makes it you question and wanting to read more until you can figure out exactly why it’s being done the way it is. In my opinion the writing seems to be dramatic in some parts because after all, you’re dealing with a dead person, but its no where near like a play in my opinion. The author doesn’t treat time that important, she moreover likes to add in detail and strong supporting facts.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. She does indeed write the book in two parts in how she adds in information and personal experience. Her writing style is indeed in such a way that it makes you want to read more as she adds a dramatic yet humorous tone when talking about cadavers in various topics.
DeleteThe author, Mary Roach writes in an organized yet captivating manner that keeps the readers interested. Each chapter address a different way of using a cadaver, for instance the chapter, 'A Head is a Terrible Thing to Waste' specifies cadavers' long usage by surgical practitioners or the chapter, 'Beyond the Black Box' which demonstrates how injury analysis on cadavers have helped solve mysterious crashes. At the beginning of each chapter Roach addresses the main point whether it be by her own firsthand experience, in which readers are let in on her thoughts and feelings, or by another account in which she gives much detail and background information. However, she doesn't revel the complete story yet. Only after the main point is addressed does she goes on to explain the history of the procedure done to the cadaver, how it has changed over time, why it was done, and its uses or accomplishments, along with interesting anecdotes. The writing is not dramatic, actually it is blunt but vivid, impressing the reader considering the weird and delicate cadaver concepts in the book. The author leaps from modern times to ancient times, and many other periods in between. She treats time pretty lightly because her main purpose is to get across the information she has, and this information just so happens to be everywhere across time.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach is a very captivating writer with all the details she puts in the book. With the history of the cadavers, it intrigues the reader even more because it isn't like she is just typing facts, she is actually incorporating it into the book in a very great way.
DeleteThe author tells the story by describing her experiences. She then proceeds to go on with the history events. Mary Roach reveals the many uses of cadavers. In my opinion, throughout the book she conceals the emotions on how people deal with this. Other than that, she revealed pretty much everything so that the readers could understand. The writing isn't necessarily dramatic. It's quite vivid, which caught my attention. The writer takes her time going through details about cadavers, the history, and science experimentation.
ReplyDeleteI don't think she entirely concealed the emotion on how people deal with cadavers. She leaves a few comments now and then on how people would react if they didn't allow themselves to become desensitized from death (such as the medical students who use cadavers to practice surgical techniques), or how families would react if they knew what type of experiments their deceased loved ones would take part in.
DeleteThe way the author (Mary Roach) writes the book is by her first hand experience. She always explains in detail what her experience was like as well as her thoughts and opinions. She also tends to write about different facts about the particular topics with footnotes and gives a short history lesson on the topic. The book doesn't seem to be in chronological order, and most of the experiences she was talking about were in the 2000's. Her writing can be a little dramatic, but in a comical way that usually conveys how she is feeling.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have explained it better myself. Roach definitely does speak in a first person point of view, adding to the amount of detail that she can see (or even smell) and enhancing the reading experience. The humor that you mentioned is included as well.
DeleteThe writer tells the story in a first person point of view. She gives us extraordinary details on her experience with cadavers. The writer reveals the various uses of cadavers, and where they are used. It seems as if Marcy Roach hasn't concealed anything from the reader, she gives extraordinary details on her experience, and makes it seem like we haven't missed anything on the process involving cadavers. The writing is not as dramatic as a play. But it is surprising, shocking, and rather funny. Roach treats time by bringing the story to different periods of time in history to give supporting details that cause the reader to be more knowledgeable of the information she wants us to absorb.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach writes the book by either starting a each chapter with a historical event or her first hand experience. This varied type of writing is important because sometimes she needs to grab the readers attention by giving her first hand experience while other times she needs to set the story up with some background information. The writer reveals in this story everything the reader can possibly imagine on the use and or abuse of cadavers. Mary Roach conceals most of her private live we know she doesn't teach anatomy but she has vast knowledge of science but I don't think she has had any medical training. I don't think that the story is dramatic I think it is topical and sequential, but it holds you attention. I think the writer shows how times have changed and how science and medicine are different than they used to be.
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ReplyDeleteWhen writing “Stiff”, Mary Roach uses a combination of presenting her experience that correlates to the topic of the chapter, and then backs it up with historical, learned and researched knowledge. But, it’s interesting how she tops off her book with her use of vivid imagery, and the use of incorporating her opinions, and thoughts. This way the reader can connect more with the text.
ReplyDeleteAgree wholeheartedly. She structures her writing in such a way that makes it feel like you are actually there, in front of a lifeless body occasionally doing things like testing out military equipment and car crashes. How exciting!
DeleteI completely agree, with you Celine, I feel Roach's writing style is what really got me to connect with the book. and like John said, Roach's has this unique way of making the reader feel as if they were right there. Which makes the book even more interesting.
DeleteRoach tells the story through a first-person perspective while she attends different experiments and procedures done to cadavers, concealing almost nothing that happens throughout the procedure. This gives Mary an opportunity to describe, in details, what happens at these "meetings", allowing the reader to feel as though he/she is really there with Roach. The author deals with time by having it fall in chronological order from when she left her house to when she came back from the cadaver meetup. The writing is not too dramatic, but it definitely is descriptive.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree, the author really makes you feel as if you were there with her and gives very well descriptions on what she is currently doing.
DeleteI agree with you because she always has conversations in the chapters like when she is talking to the plastification guy in the end. I didn't really notice that the time was chronological. Now that I think about it, it really was. Finally I definitely agree on descriptive!
DeleteI heavily concur with your sentiment; Mary Roach exceedingly illustrates those "meetings" in such a way that the reader feels as though they have gone along with her.
DeleteThe author, Mary Roach starts off by sharing her current experience and what she’s going through in the introduction. In my opinion, I think the writer tells the “story” in a very organized matter. She often goes slightly off topic at times going on with her personal thoughts and such, but overall gets her point across by the end of each chapter. Each of the twelve chapters in “Stiff” carries its own setting and story. While telling the stories she is extremely descriptive and thorough. She often includes history related to the research being done and reveals important information to help describe her experiences. She also provides readers with additional details and feedback marked at the bottom of some pages. I do not think any of the information is being concealed other than possibly a few intimate details that may be too gory for some, but that is rarely the case. I don’t find the text too dramatic besides some of her detailed discoveries mostly because of the many dry facts she put out. Lastly, the writer sure does not pay much attention to time. She seems to write freely and fluently without hesitations nor any care what so ever towards time. She also manages to keep the reader interested, entertained, and engaged in the topic.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Estrella, Mary Roach uses her current experiences with the cadavers,in all twelve chapters of the book. Then, she gives the history related to the research. Throughout the whole book she has been very descriptive; she makes you feel as if your right there, next to the human cadavers.
DeleteThe author tells the story in a very interesting way. Roach tells the story in a way I’ve never read a book before. When she goes on her journeys to discover different cadavers, scientists and their contributions to society, a lot of detail is given to help you imagine the scenes, giving you the sense of almost being right there with her. Throughout the book, the author reveals interesting historic information and stories that have to do with each of the discoveries. The author also added a more disturbing yet fascinating side to the book giving it a more interesting touch. The author does this by giving vibrant details and descriptions. At some points, the writing does get a bit dramatic but I believe it is also the more entertaining part. The author tells the story in a methodical but interesting way. The writer often feels as she lost track of time as she goes on telling her stories. All in all, the message of the book was understood. She got her point across. She was also able to maintain the book interesting and entertaining too.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach explains the story of this book in a way that changes my entire perspective about cadavers. By her going on various journeys reveals many things about cadavers that I didn't even know myself. She uses a lot of historic information to explain how cadavers improved science as we know it. Throughout the book the writing does get a little dramatic, but she makes it more interesting by using imagery to explain the details of her surroundings to give the reader a piece of what she sees. Even though she may have lost track of time through the book, she still gets her point across.
ReplyDeleteThe author writes about her interviewing professionals about how cadavers help their field of science and then continues to add historical aspects on the subject. Her style may get a little "over dramatic" but she still tells the story in a concise organized manner. Her imagery is somewhat gross to think upon, but what do you expect when talking about cadavers? She tries to give you all the details -even the ones you might not even want to know- and shares her own personal opinions. Nonetheless i believe her style of speaking is totally proper for this subject.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach starts the text either explaining her experiences being in the lab with the human cadavers or the history of the cadavers. She uses our daily routines and relates them to how we wouldn't be able to do them without the help of the human cadavers. Mary Roach has changed my whole perspective of human cadavers. She reveals the reasons behind human cadavers research experiments and also the history of human cadavers. Throughout the book she seems to get a little dramatic but it helps readers imagine what happens in those labs and hospitals. Mary Roach does not conceal anything to me. I believe she is vivid and informative about the cadavers. When she is writing, she seems to lose track of time in her book, but it helps her get her point across even more.
ReplyDeleteThe writer tells the story by explaining what the cadaver is used for by providing very vivid details and facts about the human body. The author tells the story from her perspective, of how she sees what is going on around her and then she will also speak of the history of medicine and the treatments that were performed before cadavers were available. In my opinion the writing is not dramatic at all, it's more informational and casual. The author reveals plenty of information with her facts and stories. The author writes in chronological order, yet her writing seems like it flows like she doesn't rush it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary Roach does tend to lean more to an informative and casual tone rather than that of a dramatic one, and at times it is whimsical and even acerbic. I too admire the way her writing flows without inserting those over-used transition words we are burdened with for our FCAT essays.
DeleteMary Roach's narrative style, while certainly not unique or brand new, was a great way for her to approach the subject of human cadavers and the research used with them, as well as their history. She tells the "story" in parts; dividing the chapters into different aspects of human cadavers being used in science and she elaborates on each chapter's subject by using humor, anecdotes, history, and research. The writer reveals her own opinions and feelings on the subjects presented throughout the novel and gives a great lesson on what the human cadaver goes through and how it is used to benefit society. In my opinion, she does not conceal much and is very open and honest in her writing. If anything, she may have left out details that may have been too "boring" to the text (such as going into details of how a surgeon may prepare for a cadaver face lift, or how someone sets up a cadaver to test bullets). The writing does not feel like a play, but it does feel like a television show. It's not dramatic, but it's most certainly mean't to be humorous and I found myself often laughing at what she had written. The writer doesn't rush her words and takes her time writing out the information and says everything that needs to be said, within each chapter.
ReplyDeleteUsually when Mary Roach starts the chapters, she mentions where she is and what she is doing in the first person. Later on in the chapter she adds stories and research that relates to the chapter topic in the third person. She reveals all the information she knows about cadavers. Mary Roach didn’t conceal anything. She included her own personal thoughts even if they were disturbing, like when she was looking at the hacienda. Her writing wasn’t dramatic. The book was very informative and educational, with personal and historical touches. Mary was kind of all over the place with time zones. She would shift from the present to the past and back to the present many times in the same chapter.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed her way of writing, she seemed to balance it out. She would use the scientific research from centuries back to compare how the scientific field has improved with the use of cadavers. I also enjoyed how she shared her personal thoughts on the matter, it made her seem more "human" in a way.
DeleteThe author tells the story by first introducing the topic she wants to talk about in that chapter. Then she goes back in time and tells you what other scientists did or what techniques they used. Finally she goes back to what she was saying and tells you what is happened to her at that time. The writer definitely reveals that she put a lot of time an effort into this story. She also reveals at the end that her husband is squeamish near dead bodies. The writing in more informative than play like. The author loves to play around with time because, like I mentioned, she likes to go back and let you know how scientists back in the day would do a certain thing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the author uses a nice tactic when narrating the story. She uses scientific research from the earlier centuries to compare how far the road has come with the use of cadavers. I was quite shocked when she revealed that she would let her husband decide what to do with her cadaver, but I also gained some respect towards her for that.
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ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, I saw as she learned about the cadavers so I gradually began wondering what she would like to do with her cadaver once she passes, and when she revealed that she would let her husband choose her cadaver's fate, I felt a certain respect towards her. What I also liked was how she expressed her opinion towards the situation. It gives the novel a more captivating feel to it. The way Roach treats time was also intriguing in the way that she would compare how scientific research has improved over time with the use of cadavers.
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ReplyDeleteMary Roach writes this story in two parts (the present and the past). In the present she writes with vivid details that make you feel like your their with her and when she writes about the past its like if you were in a time machine that took you to that exact location because of her vivid details. I don't think that the author conceals anything because of the way she writes the book. Its dramatic in its on way like when she talks about the patients that went into surgery without anesthesia. In my opinion she treats time like if she had a endless amount of time because when she sets her mind to do something she goes all out and literary forgets about time.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone else does i also agree with the way that she writes these book she writes the present and the past you sorda don't notice when your ready because of the way she introduces it to you. Like surgery back then poor people had no money to pay for surgery so they just had to be operated by a student.
ReplyDeleteMary Roach wrote in her present time, at a cadaver lab, at a restaurant, or on the other side of the world. She would observe what is going on in her situation and then give feedback or write about some history that relates to the topic. She went back and forth between her situation and the history. She revealed the history and reality of human cadavers. This kept us on our toes even though it was not dramatic but rather interesting and vividly described.
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The writer ‘Mary Roach’ seems to give stories to support what is going along as the book continues. Also almost in progression and the willingness of wanting to know more and more about the Human body and what is in it. But she seems to reveal towards the end what everything really meant like what value she had in the book like her wanting to know how her body worked and what is inside of it. The secret that behind of this book that is shown in the text is what is the Human body, what is in it, what can it do, what makes such and such happen. But I would place this book as being almost like a play because it can be acted out, and when it is possible to be acted out it usually means that it supports a fact but with many different ways of explaining what it wants. With everything being all in one book, time is no limitation, it’s full of examples and stories of religious research and gory endings and even life lessons with no real story that can be told in few words.
ReplyDeleteMary tells the story about cadavers very well she , for example, lets us know how they use dead people to make us wear seat belts even though its for our own safety. She is very vivid and she doesn't make cadavers seem so "DEADLY" and lets us know they have a purpose even though they are dead. Mary doesn't really think about time in this story although she is very considerate of the time she takes up of the people she is interviewing. She makes sure she puts her input in mostly everything she informs us about.
ReplyDeleteMary writes the story in no specific order, but she does introduce herself in the beginning. Then, she starts explaining each and every story. It's not mentioned whether she wrote it in chronological order in which she discovered each story, nor are the stories in order of date. They are just in the order from beginning to end. She adds information on how she came across the information as well, also pin pointing anything that may confusing. The book reminds me of a kind of textbook that the author is also your personal friend who knows what questions you'll ask at the end. It's like a story, authors note, and biography at the same time- which is astounding in my opinion. This is the first book that I read in such a manner. By getting personal with you, the reader, Mary reveals to you in on some of her personal life problems. She does mention the sad reason of why she wrote this book, and the hardships it took to make it as well. Of course she keeps anything non-related to the book out of the picture, but that alone allows us to know many personal thing about Roach. All we necessarily need to know, at least. However, she doesn't conceal anything we need to know. She lets us into her life at a comfortable distance, as a completely random stranger we don't need to know what she does 24/7. All the information on the cadavers are there (Perhaps the names of some of the dead? probably there was a kind of copyright problem with something like that, considering you'd need the permission of the family to have a name be released- so considering this book is countlessly filled with several different bodies, it would be too much of a chore for the author.).
ReplyDeleteYou could say that Mary added Drama to the story. Of course, not Epic style Drama but she did put effort into making the book as humorous as she could manage. (That's some kind of drama, right?) However, Like every Drama, there is a time setting. Mary has this book set out like an old man telling campfire stories. She sits you down and explains the past, how she got knowledge about the past in the past, and how the past might affect the future. There is a specific time setting in which the story takes place, but the stories all take place at random times in the past. And conveniently, by keeping the setting in the present, all the past stories are neatly organized to make sense.
The author tells the story with a big sense of wit, humor, and she does not sugarcoat anything. Throughout the book she reveals her experiences with observing human cadavers and also touches upon some background information on anatomy and parts of the body. For example, she reveals her shocked opinions and information on how they use human tissue for operations like facelifts and penis enlargement. She even describes how grotesque the heads looked in a lab when they where put on chicken baking trays. All of this seems dramatic but it is true and that is part of what makes the story so interesting. On the other hand, she does conceal certain names of some anatomy students that she encountered in the lab and other really personal information. As far as time, the author describes her experiences as they came along but mentioned some history that tied into these events.
ReplyDeleteLots-a things are revealed in this book, extending from historical evidence to recent findings regarding cadavers. Mary Roach really dug out what would have otherwise been lost over the centuries. However, she does conceal personal information from students whom she contacted. Her writing can be dramatic at times, but she always provides occasional comic relief to ease the mood. As for time and the telling of the story, often and often, she eloquently recounts historical events as if she had been there, watching and taking note of what occurred. She also writes in the present tense repeatedly, as if the book were some kind of personal blog that she’d update every day.
ReplyDeleteThe writer tells the story by using vivid images that make you feel as if your actually there in there witnessing. The writer reveals everything she's learned on cadavers as well as her opinions towards cadavers. The writer does not conceal anything. The writing feels more informative than dramatic, trying to inform the readers about cadavers. The writer goes back and forth between the present and the past in an organized manner, using her experiences as well as history that relate to these events.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, the author writes in two different ways. The first portion is what is happening and the second portion is the history of the topic being covered in the chapter. When she writes about what is happening, she gives an adequate description of what she sees and whom she is talking to. When she is discussing the history of the topic, she uses very vivid details to help the reader better comprehend. She is constantly swapping between these two was of writing.
ReplyDeleteThe author has a very particular writing style which I believe is very relatable as well as informative. The author Mary Roach is very descriptive. She practically assumes that you do not know about this topic and explains it very simple and effectively. She includes her own comments and opinions and adds a humorous touch to the facts while also making them dramatic as well as never forgetting the serious side to the topic. She reveals many important facts and various details about her meet-ups with the people who worked in anatomy. She also mentioned information about her experiences at the places where scientists and students work with the cadavers. She conceals personal information about most of the people she encountered. She writes in no specific time.
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