Assignment:
Purpose: To inform my classmates about a new hypothesis that explains why babies are born when they are.
I. Introduction
A. Teaser: We've all heard it. Or if we haven't heard it, we've heard about it: likely from our parents. Or if we haven't heard about it, then we've heard the screams on television shows like Grey's Anatomy. I'm talking about the screams of a woman giving birth. We all know that giving birth is painful, but what scientists have been trying to figure out is why.
B. Thesis: A new theory about child birth is challenging previous notions of why childbirth is so painful.
C. Preview Statement: Today, I'm going to explain: first, what makes childbirth so painful, second, how the energetics-of-gestation-and growth hypothesis challenges traditional notions of childbirth, and, finally, the implications of this theory for how we think about childbirth.
Transition: We begin with by looking at how a child is formed.
II. Body
A. Main Point 1: Childbirth is painful primarily due to brain size.
1. Compare humans to other primates
2. Talk about length of gestation
3. Talk about the birth canal
Transition: Now that why know where the pain of childbirth comes from, we can explain the new theory that seeks to explain how that pain comes about.
B. Main Point 2: The energetics-of-gestation-and-growth hypothesis challenges current thought about childbirth.
1. Explain the obstetrical hypothesis (previous theory)
2. Explain the energetics-of-gestation-and-growth hypothesis
3. Discuss why scientists are being drawn to the second
Transition: The energetics hypothesis challenges the obstetrical, but before we give this theory life, we should examine its potential and drawbacks.
C. Main Point 3: The energetics-of-gestation-and-growth hypothesis has many implications.
1. Talk about the promise of the theory.
2. Talk about the challenges of the theory.
III. Conclusion:
A. Restate Main Points: So, today we've examined the pain of childbirth, how a new theory has sought to shed light on how that pain occurs, and the promise and pitfalls of the theory.
B. Restate Thesis: The energetics-of-gestation-and-growth hypothesis challenges previous notions of why childbirth is so painful.
C. Clincher: Regardless of which theory is correct, have sympathy for your mama. Your big brain has cost her much pain.