In The Great Influence, John M. Barry describes scientific research as a field that requires courage and creativity to succeed. Scientists have to invent completely new methods that no one in the world has ever tried before. There are many obstacles initially, but as more information is gathered, the details become clearer. Barry uses a variety of rhetorical strategies throughout the passage to convey this message. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the passage, Barry discusses the characteristics a scientist must have. Barry contrasts certainty and uncertainty, saying that certainty gives “something to learn from,” while uncertainty makes one “uncertain, if not fearful.” He's not talking about the certainty that comes from a successful experiment; he really means that scientists need to be sure of themselves. The contrast between certainty and uncertainty is used to show the difference between an unsuccessful scientist and a successful one. He lists the qualities of “passion, patience, creativity, self-reliance, and courage,” all of which are important for a successful scientist. Using enumeration, Barry demonstrates that scientific researchers are much braver than they may seem. Their courage allows them to “embrace uncertainty” and eliminate their self-doubts. Barry continues the passage by showing the difficulties of the scientific procedure. He uses the metaphor of venturing into a wilderness where scientists know “almost nothing, where the very techniques necessary . . . putting order in it does not exist.” His metaphor shows that although scientists know what they want to accomplish, they don't always have the tools to do it. This example reinforces the idea that research is much more difficult than scientists give it credit for. Barry resorts to contrast again, stating that a single step can lead scientists into "a world that seems completely different" or it can lead them off a cliff. The contrast shows that although courage is the foundation of scientific research, new experiments can easily end in disaster or disappointment. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Barry closes the passage by talking about the results a researcher will achieve through his or her effort and dedication. A scientist will undertake a difficult journey to make a discovery. Then, once their work is finished, their colleagues will “pave paths on the marked path” that are “orderly and straight.” This metaphor shows the dilemma researchers face. It would be easy to let others do the hard work and take the neat, straight path. After all, Barry points out that “not all scientific researchers can handle uncertainty with ease.” However, this fact makes the current researchers look even more impressive. They decided to do what few others have the courage or intelligence to do on their own. And thanks to scientists, new discoveries can be made that make the scientific process easier for everyone else.