The Clearest Graphs You Will Ever See Refuting the Idea That Women Are Bad at Math
Terri Oda
In this 26-slide show, Terri Oda, who earned her PhD in computer science, uses graphs and commentary to refute the assumption that women are bad at math. She opens with a question and answer: “How does biology explain the low numbers of women in computer science? Hint: It doesn’t.” What follows is her witty analysis of common stereotypes about gender and math ability, accompanied by ability charts to demonstrate her point visually. Before you click through the slides, consider what you think you know about gender and math ability. Then, consider how effectively Oda persuades you with questions and graphs.
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Courtesy Terri Oda
from Terri Oda
Reading as a Writer: Analyzing Rhetorical Choices
After exploring Clearest Graphs, consider the question below. Then “submit” your response.
1. Analyze and discuss Oda’s strategy of including very small amounts of information on each slide. What can you say about the experience of clicking through this show? For example, how does she break up information between slides, ask and answer questions, and present the same data in different ways? What can you say about her tone? (Consider slide 14, for example.) What conclusions can you draw about effective presentation of material on slides, for your own future use?
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Writing as a Reader: Entering the Conversation of Ideas
After exploring Clearest Graphs, consider the question below. Then “submit” your response.
1. Oda’s slide show is a visual representation of many aspects of Jesse J. Prinz’s essay, “Gender and Geometry.” Write informally, or develop a more formal essay, on the ways Oda’s brief, lively, visual argument is in conversation with Prinz’s more detailed analysis of historical and contemporary assumptions about gender and academic ability. How might Prinz’s text help explain why there are so few women in computer science, if biology is not the answer?
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