Storytelling in Earth sciences: The eight basic plots

摘要: Abstract Reporting results and promoting ideas in science general, Earth particular, is treated here as storytelling. Just literature drama, storytelling characterized by a small number of basic plots. Though the list not exhaustive, acknowledging that multiple or hybrid plots subplots are possible single piece, eight standard identified, examples provided: cause-and-effect, genesis, emergence, destruction, metamorphosis, convergence, divergence, oscillation. The stories those literary traditions, nor persuasion moral philosophy, deserve separate consideration. do conform more generally, implying scientists may have fundamentally different motivations than other storytellers, Science derive from characteristics behaviors systems. In some cases preference affinity to interpretations conclusions same evidence. situations exploration additional could help resolve scientific controversies. Thus explicit acknowledgement can yield direct benefits. Consideration devices also assist interpretation published work, improve their own