Introduction



Foundations for College Writing: Essay #2: The Truth about TechnologyIntroductionWe have viewed videos and read texts related to the use of technology and its effects on our relationships, attention spans, life satisfaction, family involvement, and sense of well-being. We’ve discussed the identified opinions of experts such as Sherry Turkle in her TED talk “Connected, But Alone?” and New York Times journalist Matt Richtel in “The Lure of Data: Is it Addictive?” and the contrary opinion of Vaughan Bell, author of the essay “Don’t Touch That Dial!” We’ve put these materials in conversation with each other, and now you’re going to explore your own thoughts about technology in an essay. This assignment asks you to thoughtfully consider and explore your opinion about technology and its role in our lives, and to use the opinions presented in the materials we have discussed along with your own experiences of technology to share your ideas and become part of the conversation. ESSAY QUESTIONS Select one of the following questions and write an argumentative essay that clearly states your opinion (your thesis) and that uses a combination of evidence from appropriate source material (Turkle, Richtel, and/or Bell) and your own evidence to support your opinion. Sherry Turkle contends that technology, particularly texting and social media, has made us less connected in ways that matter most. She argues that technology has infiltrated our lives and has had damaging effects on our authentic connections with each other and the world. ?Vaughan Bell, on the other hand, thinks society is overreacting about the dangers of technology and that history proves his point. Bell shares how new technologies throughout the centuries (such as the printing press and radio) were also met with suspicion and fear by the media when first introduced. He suggests that, looking back, we can see how people used these advances for good, with great benefits and no ill-effects.Consider the material you have read about technology’s potential impact on our social relationships, and consider your own experiences. Is texting and social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) damaging our social relationships, is it having no real impact, or is it benefitting our social relationships in ways that aren't yet appreciated??What is your point of view? Use specific evidence from any of the readings and examples from your own life to support your argument. Writer Vaughan Bell asserts that people have overreacted to the “dangers” of all kinds of new technologies throughout history and that we are doing exactly the same thing today. Writer Matt Richtel, however, shows how real people are experiencing unwelcome effects of today’s “Always On” world. Richtel suggests that many users of today’s technology are unable to focus and fully engage in tasks and in many everyday aspects of life, despite the productivity and efficiency that smartphones, WiFi hotspots, and other devices may offer. Consider your experience with technology. Are you more in line with Bell, who feels that people are fundamentally unchanged by new technologies, or Richtel, who suggests through examples that technology sabotages attention for many users? Support your opinion by citing evidence from each text, and by exploring your own experience to enter into the conversation. Learning GoalsThis assignment is meant to generate specific learning outcomes. Your goals as college-level writers and learners are as follows:To see reading and composing processes as a way to think, to discover, and to explore ideas, and to combine ideas to create meaning from other writers’ texts as well as your own.To analyze and synthesize ideas across multiple texts so as to develop your own ideas.To synthesize ideas across multiple texts, exploring issues or questions, and to meaningfully enter into an existing conversation.To articulate an authentic, real purpose for this piece of writing.To effectively and ethically incorporate information into your writing from a variety of sources (including your own experiences).To have awareness of the complexity of ideas associated with issues or topics.To write about topics that have meaning, and engage responsibly with these topics.To recognize that you can justify your own point of view.Essay RequirementsEssay Title:Create a title for your essay that telegraphs the meaning of your essay Length:1000+ words; Times New Roman Font, Size 12; double spacedPresentation: MLA format (No cover sheet. Your name, course title, instructor’s name, essay assignment name, and date should be in the top left hand corner of the first page of the essay. Last name in header and page numbers are required on all pages.)Sources:Three required from class viewing and readingsWorks Cited page required (see citations on final page of this assignment sheet)Other important points:No matter your chosen focus (thesis) your essay should have unity and purpose.You need an introduction, which sets up the context for the conversation and states a clear thesis (your opinion) that you can support with evidence and by utilizing ethos, pathos, and logos. Your essay’s body paragraphs should support and develop the main idea/thesis.The body paragraphs of your essay should move smoothly from one paragraph to the next.Your body paragraphs offer details that support the discussion and anticipate what your reader might need to know.Your conclusion reflects on your position, shows the significance of your point of view, and reflects on the broader issues involved, leaving the reader with a strong final impression and “food for thought” concerning the topic. Helpful Guidance for Essay Structure:Introduction (One or two paragraphs)In your introduction, you must thoughtfully introduce the conversation about technology established by the class readings (use at least two). After you establish the context for your essay by explaining the “conversation” that surrounds the topic of technology, set up your main idea/thesis. Your main idea/thesis should be focused and clearly stated.Body ParagraphsBe sure your body paragraphs have topic sentences that focus on ideas that help support your thesis. Incorporate information from the readings and videos and your own experiences on the role of technology and its effects on us. Use source information such as quotes, statistics, or paraphrases to explore your topic or as evidence if you are making an assertion. CONCESSION ParagraphBe sure to acknowledge the other point of view in a paragraph near the end of your essay. This paragraph will state what the other side believes and why. The concession paragraph establishes that you are reasonable and that you understand the other point of view, but that you respectfully disagree. ConclusionConsider the ideas you’ve shared and thoughtfully create a conclusion that a reader would find satisfying. Reflect on the significance of the topic, the opinion that you have, or the overall effects or consequences of the other point of view. Use of SourcesIn your essay, make reference to three (3) of the materials we covered in class.Include a Works Cited page for the sources you use in the essay (see bibliography below).Remember that sources have several important purposes in your essay. They:--Establish a context for the essay.--Provide background for the essay--Provide you with evidence to develop your own main idea and supporting detailsSources are appropriately introduced and used in a way that feels natural and relevant:Your source material (quotes, paraphrases etc.) is thoughtfully chosen and blends into your writing. This means you might use quotes to stress or highlight a point but you’re careful to also translate the meaning of the quote for your reader as you apply it to your writing (i.e. agree, disagree, emphasize a point, etc. You don’t just give a quote without a clue as to its significance). You consciously use signal phrases (a.k.a. attribution/informal citation) to introduce the source material in your essay and conscientiously include the author’s name, text, and publication dates on the first mention of a source, and state only the author’s last name after the first mention. Citations for ReadingsBell, Vaughan. “Don’t Touch That Dial! A History of Media Technology Scares, from the Printing Press toFacebook.” , 15 Feb. 2010, health_and_science/science/2010/02/dont_touch_that_dial.html. Accessed 9 Oct. 2017.Richtel, Matt. “The Lure of Data: Is It Addictive?” New York Times, 6 Jul. 2003, 9 Oct. 2017.Turkle, Sherry. “Connected, but Alone.” Online video. TED. TED, Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Sep. 2015. Accessed 11 Sep. 2017. ................
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