Integrated Writing TPO 67

The reading and the lecture talk about whether Brendan and his crew were the first Europeans to reach North America. The author of the article feels that Brendan and his crew are spearheading the landing. However, the lecturer disputes the claim made in the article. His position is that the evidence is not strong enough to prove the argument.

According to the reading, places mentioned in written stories about Brendan show the same characteristics as some islands across the route from Ireland to North America. The particular argument is challenged by the lecturer. He claims that some features discovered on those islands were discovered elsewhere. For instance, sheep were found raised otherwise and the object regarded as a volcano turned out to be just a burning hill set on fire by the locals.

Secondly, the researcher constructed a boat with techniques applied on Brendan's voyage and successfully sailed from Ireland to North America. However, the lecturer disputes this by saying that the boat constructed now was not the exact copy although using the identical design method. The boat afterward was larger and could generate more power than before. Therefore, it undoubtedly could reach North America.

Last but not least, old markings related to Brendan's voyage have been discovered in North America. It goes on to say that those markings are said to be the Irish alphabet. In contrast, the writer contends that most markings were from the aboriginals. To be more specific, the Irish alphabet did not contain images as Americans did.