Week #7 - September 30- October 7, 2019

Welcome to Week #7

The major activity for this week will be to write the draft of your essay. The draft wil be posted in segments so that you will pay close attention to each part of a well written essay.  I have posted the entire assignment again. Please read it again so that you have the big picture clear in your mind before you begin to write. 

Technology – Friend or Foe?

For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.

I.                    Introduction –

a.       Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, video games, etc.

b.      Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.

c.       In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear! (Some of you may be taking a creative approach. See me if this is the case.)

II.                  The body of the paper will do several things –

a.       Convince the reader that they either need or do not need the technology.

b.      Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?

c.       Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from at least four of the following:

·         At least three experts/sources. You may use the articles studied in class and articles that specifically relate to your chosen technology.

·         A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.

·         An interview with at least one user.

·         A personal anecdote.

·         Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. “There Will Come Soft Rains”  was assigned. You may use other SciFi literature or movies.

·         A work of art

·         Strong statistics from an expert source.

The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.

III.                Conclusion –

Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:

a.       Convenience

b.      Cost

c.       Safety

d.      Environmental impact

e.      Impact on society

f.        Ethical concerns

Assignment #1 - The introduction

  Introduction –

a.       Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, video games, etc.

b.      Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.

c.       In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear!  By the time the reader finishes reading your introduction, the reader will know what point you are trying to prove and will be able to tell if you are writing to convince that the technology is friend or foe.

Tips about writing Introductions: 

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/introductions/

https://writing.msu.edu/how-to-write-a-good-introduction/

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-an-introduction/  You do not need to join grammarly to read this information.

http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/intros.htm  (Samples)

https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/introductions-conclusions (Short instructions and sample)

Note: Some writers do better writing or fine tuning the introduction after writing some or all of the rest of the essay. You do not need to post this first. Make sure that your introduction is the best it can be at leading your reader into the rest of the essay.

Points: 25

Assignment #2 - The Body of the Essay

Note: section will be the longest part of your essay. You must include in-text citations in MLA style.

How to create in-text citations: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html

Instructions: 

 The body of the paper will do several things –

a.       Convince the reader that they either need or do not need the technology.

b.      Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?

c.       Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from at least four of the following:

·         At least three experts/sources. You may use the articles studied in class and articles that specifically relate to your chosen technology.

·         A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.

·         An interview with at least one user.

·         A personal anecdote.

·         Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. “There Will Come Soft Rains”  was assigned. You may use other SciFi literature or movies.

·         A work of art

·         Strong statistics from an expert source.

The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.

Tips: https://unilearning.uow.edu.au/essay/4biii.html

http://owll.massey.ac.nz/assignment-types/essay-body-paragraphs.php

You might have looked at this sample essay before, but please take another look. This essay is in MLA format. In-text citations are explained. Read the notes on the sides.  Since you need to use in-text citations in your paper, this essay is a good guide.  

http://depts.washington.edu/owrc/Handouts/Hacker-Sample%20MLA%20Formatted%20Paper.pdf

Post the body of your essay in CANVAS. It is worth 50 points. You must include in-text citations. When you quote others, you need to provide credit.

Assignment #3 will show you the difference among paraphrase, direct quotation, and summary. You need in-text citations when you use any of the three.  It is fine to borrow information. In fact, it is necessary to prove your point about your technology being a friend or a foe. Just remember to give credit to your sources. 

You might want to do Assignment #3 before writing the body of your essay.

Assignment #3 : Paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing

Take a look at the ways to correctly use paraphrases, quotations and summaries in an essay. 

https://uscmed.sc.libguides.com/c.php?g=484371&p=3313015

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html

Do a bit of looking. In your own words, define the following:

1. Paraphrase

2. Quotation

3. Summary

Here is a good place to look. Feel free to search for additional sources that explain the three.

https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/mla/in-text

Locate a news or magazine article. Copy/paste two paragraphs. Provide a Works Cited entry. This is separate from an in-text citation. An in-text citation appears withing the document. The Works Cited entries appear after the document. 

4. Paraphrase a line or two and give an in-text citation.

5. Summarize one paragraph and give an in-text citation.

6. Directly quote a line or phrase and give an in-text citation.

Post the responses to 1-6 in Canvas. Include the two paragraphs you are using for 4, 5, and 6. 

(30 points)

Assignment #4 The Conclusion

You need to end your essay in a memorable fashion. Read these tips before writing your own conclusion. 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7aeO9fBzE

https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions

http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conclude.html

Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. 

Consider:

a.       Convenience

b.      Cost

c.       Safety

d.      Environmental impact

e.      Impact on society

f.        Ethical concerns

Remember, by the end of the essay, the reader should clearly know if the technology you selected is friend or foe! 

Points: 25

Week #5 September 16-22, 2019

Week #5
You are now an expert on persuasive techniques in advertising and speaking. The same techniques are used when writing to convince others of your point of view or to convince others to do or change or support something. 

We live in a world of technology. For some, the inventions are wonderful. Others warn that humanity is being lost because of machines. This week, you are going to explore technology and decide if it is our friend or our foe. That will be the focus of our next big writing activity that will be developed in Week #6.

Week #5 Assignment #1 - Read and respond to articles A and B. See below
A.  "The Whole World Is Watching" by Thomas L. Friedman http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/opinion/27friedman.html?_r=0
  Answer the following questions.
1. Friedman claims that we are all "more transparent" now in this "transparent world." What aspects of transparency are positive? What aspects are negative? 
2. Friedman mentions a book by Dov Seidman. In the book, Seidman talks about a digital fingerprint. 

To what extent are our digital fingerprints impacting work and socializing? Should future employers be able to use your Facebook, Twitter, or other posts when deciding to offer a position to a new employee or  fire a current employee? Explain.
 
(20 points)
 B.  “I Can’t Think” by  Sharon Begley’s from February 27, 2011, in Newsweek. http://www.sharonlbegley.com/the-science-of-making-decisions )
As you read the article, look for the and define these  terms. They are in order. 

1.        Information Overload

2.        Info-paralysis

3.        Information fatigue

4.        Addicted to incoming texts and tweets

5.        Decision science

6.        Torrent of data

7.        Total failure to decide

8.        Many diminishing returns

9.        False god if immediacy

10.     “Recency” Trumps Quality

11.     The neglected unconscious

12.     Info-glut

13.     Experience based decision making. . .

14.     Sufficers  vs. maximizers

 
Write two or three paragraphs where you agree or disagree with Beagly. 

Consider these questions.What do you think, or can you?. Is our culture Twitterized? Are our brains frozen? Do we have trouble making decisions? Support what you think with examples from life and from this article.


(40 points)

Week #5 - Assignment #2  - Literature
"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury - as you read the 1950s story, keep track of the" futuristic inventions" that are just the norm today. 

For example, In the living room the voice-clock sang, Tick-tock, seven o'clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o'clock! Do we have clocks that talk?  Later in the story you will read, The gentle sprinkler rain filled the garden with falling light.  Do we have anything that automatically waters the lawn or garden?
As you read, you will find many "inventions" that are similar to the gadgets in our current homes. Make a list that shows the "technology" in the story and our real technology today.

Sample: Story/the clock talks & today, Alexa will tell the time and date

(10 points for the list)

https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/7_There%20Will%20Come%20Soft%20Rains%20by%20Ray%20Bradbury.pdf (Written Story)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzhlU8rXgHc Story read by Leonard Nimoy

After reading and listing, make a list of all of the technology you use in a 24 hour period.(10 points for this list.) Your list might include items as simple as a hair dryer or as complicated as the electronic wonders on your phone or in your car.  After creating the list of technology used in 24 hours, react to this prompt in a Quick Write of 15 minutes.

Prompt: For 24 hours, electricity no longer works in any form - no current comes into your home, there are no working batteries, and generators are frozen. Describe how life would be different. Would it be better or would it cause chaos? (Story)

(Points for Quick Write paragraphs = 25)

Total points in Assignment #2 = 45) 

Week #5 - Assignment #3 - Health and Technology
What about your health? Is technology helpful or invasive? Read one person's opinion.
"When the Patient Is a Googler" by Scott Haighttp://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1681838,00.html

Answer All Questions:
1. What reasons does Haig give to explain why he does not want googlers as patients? (10 points)

2. In a paragraph or two, agree or disagree with Haig. Should patients research their symptoms on the Internet before seeking medical advice? What are the dangers? What are the advantages? (10 points)

3. Make a list of all of the health related technology you can think of or that you use. For example, do you wear a "FitBit" or other health-tracking device? Do you or does someone you know regularly check blood pressure at home? Do you own a treadmill or other fitness equipment? Do you or does someone you know have a gym membership? (10 points)

4. Does technology make us healthier? Explain in a one page response essay. (30 points)

Total: 60 points

Week #5- Assignment #4 - Discussion Board

First, read "YouTube This!" by Joe Queenan http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/08/opinion/op-queenan8

Do you agree or disagree with Queenan? Share your thoughts about YouTube and its many uses. Would the world be better off without YouTube, or is YouTube shaping society in positive ways?

Your first post should be made by midnight on Thursday, September 19. (Earlier is better!) Post reactions to the posts of at least three others. Due by 6:00 am on Monday, September 23, 2019

(50 points  total = 10 for each of the three responses and 20 for your original post.)

Week #4 September 9-15

Last week, you wrote a draft copy of your body art narrative. You will need to self edit. In addition, I will go over your drafts and leave comments by the end of the day on Wednesday. Plan on writing your final copy after Wednesday.

Week #4  Assignment #1: Self Editing

• In list form, tell me what you did well on the draft. ( 10 points)
• Then, tell me what you still need to do. ( 10 points)

Here are some tips for self editing:

1.  Look back at the requirements for the assignment. Did you complete everything?
Guidelines:

·                     Identify the characters

·                     Explain the before and after of the event

·                     Quote people- what was said?

·                     Create the setting. Where did the event occur?

·                     Explain the reactions of those who saw the result.

·                     Be a good story teller!

·                     Write in past tense. This has already happened. http://www.grammar.cl/english/past-tense.htm

·                     Write in first person. You are the star of the story.

·                     Write in third person if you are telling of an event that happened to someone else.

·                     Helpful information: http://www.mesacc.edu/~paoih30491/PointofView.html

·                     Be descriptive. https://litreactor.com/columns/writing-powerful-descriptions

·                     Use direct quotations  https://thinkwritten.com/punctuating-dialogue/

2. To check for grammar, usage, and mechanics issues, read the essay one line at a time from the last line of the narrative to the first line. That way you are looking at each sentence as a stand-alone structure. 

Create another list and tell me what, if any, changes you need to make. For example, maybe you discovered that you forgot to start a new paragraph every time you changed speakers. Or, you might have found that you needed to revise a few sentences or words to clarify your message.  (10 points)

Total: 30 points

Week #4   Assignment #2

Revise your narrative and post in CANVAS. (100 points)

Week #4 Assignment #3

Persuasive Techniques
Advertisers want to get you to spend your money of their product or service. Politicians want you to give your vote to them. Writers and speakers want you to believe their words and agree with them and possibly support them with time, energy, and money.  No matter what one is selling, the speaker or writer uses several well known and well used techniques. 

·         Review the following: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1166/PersuasiveTechniques.pdf 

·                     Do watch the 13 slide PowerPoint at the top of this site. The show provides excellent advice: http://www.slideshare.net/16ardmanc/persuasive-techniques-23100937

·                      If you are into games, try this  site: https://quizlet.com/17906359/persuasive-techniques-flash-cards/

After reviewing the information about persuasive techniques, you are now ready to watch and review some ads. Companies pay "big money" to show ads at the Super Bowl You will see the most expensive advertising on television. 

Your assignment is to select any three ads from any year. Sometimes those voted the worst are actually quite entertaining! Feel free to select other ads if you see something newer on television.

Here is a link to Super Bowl ads from 2017. Feel free to look at ads from any other year, : http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2017-super-bowl-commercials-watch-the-latest-leaked-ads-best-and-worst-of-all-time/

Assignment:

Do the following for each of the three ads: 

1) Identify the product 
2) In a sentence or two, describe the ad.
3) Identify the persuasive techniques used.
4) Identify the target audience. A target audience can be identified by, among other items, age, health, and wealth. Also, is the ad geared to people who already use the product or service, or is it aimed at new customers? 
5) Explain if you think the ad was effective and tell why or why not. The bottom line is: Will this ad make people spend their money?

Post in Canvas. (30 points)

Week #4 - Assignment #4 - Readings
.
Read and in one paragraph summarize this article:
http://tammylynde.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/5/1/10515959/these_words_i_can_sell_you_anything.pdf


This essay explains the use of "weasel words" in advertising.  In your summary, be sure to identify the weasel words you see most often. (20 points)

"The World of Doublespeak" by William Lutz

 http://www.cusd80.com/cms/lib6/AZ01001175/Centricity/Domain/318/The%20World%20of%20Doublespeak-William%20Lutz.pdf Answer the following questions:

·                     Questions on meaning: 1, 2, 3, 4

·                     Questions on writing strategy: 1 & 2

·                     Questions on language 1 & 3

·                     Read "William Lutz on Writing" Answer question #1 OR #2.

(30 points)


Total for this assignment: 50 points.

Week #4 Assignment #5 - Discussion board

Talk to each other about the wonderful world of advertising. What ads are your favorites? What ads do you dislike? (In our house, the three year old calls them all "bad-mercials,) Is there anything you like about ads? Have you ever purchased anything based on an ad? Explain if the product lived up to the ad promises. What was your experience? 

Post your original by midnight on Wednesday. Post two responses by 6:00 am on Monday, September 16.) 

(40 points - 20 for the original post and 10 for each of the two responses to others.)