Week #6 - September 23-30

Week #6 - Assignment #1 The Writing Assignment.
Last week you explored technology and our life-style today.  This week you will be conducting research to prepare for the writing of the "Technology: Friend or Foe essay.

The instructions follow. Read them. Then, tell me what technological wonder you will be using as the focus of your research this week. This gizmo or gadget will be the focus of your essay next week. 

(10 points . . . Identify the technology that will be the focus of your research and writing. Tell why it is of interest to you.)

This is the full assignment so that you can see where you are headed. 

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

Week #6 - Assignment #2 

 Identify the technology you will be using as the focus of your study and to conduct research to get ready to write.

A. Consult two sources and find out the history of the item. Summarize the information. Post your summary and the sources consulted. Do not simply copy/paste from a site. Use your own words. (25 points)

Week #6 - Assignment #3
Looking at Art

B. Locate a work of art that features your item. Answer these questions: 

· What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?

· How does this work relate to your topic? Discuss.

· What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?

· Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.

· Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?

· How do the lines and angles impact your eye as you study the work?

· Who is the artist? When was the work created? Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? What was going on in the world when the work was created? Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.

· How does the work relate to us in 21st century America? 

Include the URL or the actual art with your responses to the question.

(40 points)

Week #6 - Assignment #4 - Interview

C. Interview someone who owns and/or uses the item. Create five questions and record the responses. (You conducted an interview on body art a couple of weeks ago. Use the same techniques.) 

Be sure to get permission from the person to use the name in your essay next week. If the person does not want to be identified, that is OK. Do note the date of the interview and the method of the interview. (in-person, phone, text, e-mail, etc.)

25 points

Week #6 - Assignment #5 - More research

Locate the following information. Be sure to keep track of your sources.

A.   A current news source such as a newspaper, Internet news, magazine article, or news cast. Briefly summarize the article. Give the source.

B.   Strong statistics from an expert source. You might look for  ow many users there are or how many of the item were sold in a given year. 

C. Two articles that cover one or more of the following:

•     Convenience

b.      Cost

c.       Safety

d.      Environmental impact

e.      Impact on society

f.        Ethical concerns

For A through C - keep track of your sources. I suggest starting an EasyBib project. Post your sources here.

50 Points

Once you have this information, you will be ready to write during Week #7.  Remember that ALL of your research focuses on the technology you selected. It might be something as simple as a lightbubl or as complex a GPS. The choice is yours.