Question

Think of it this way, your ancestors navigated by the stars, and today most people won’t walk outside without a GPS. That’s a crazy loss of direction or skill at some level for sure. And while Indigenous peoples and many rural peoples can still see the stars, most of the world’s population cannot. That’s particularly an urban thing, where there’s all this light. From my farm, through the open skies, at night I can see the glow of Detroit Lakes, and that’s 25 miles away.

—“A Case for Waawaatesi,”
Winona LaDuke

Which statement best describes the point LaDuke is making in the passage?



How does the writer appeal to the reader’s logic?



How does the writer establish credibility?

Answer 1

The point that LaDuke is making in the passage is that modern society has lost its ability to navigate and find direction without relying on technology like GPS. She also highlights how urban areas with excessive light pollution prevent people from being able to see the stars.

The writer appeals to the reader's logic by presenting a logical comparison between how ancestors used the stars for navigation and how most people today heavily rely on GPS. They also use the example of being able to see the glow of a city 25 miles away from their farm to illustrate the impact of light pollution on the ability to see the stars.

The writer establishes credibility through their personal experience and observation. They mention living on a farm and being able to see the glow of a city at night, which suggests that they have firsthand knowledge of the situation. Additionally, by mentioning Indigenous peoples and rural communities still being able to see the stars, the writer suggests that they have knowledge of different cultures and their relationship with the night sky.