EOF Class #4, July 5, 2012, Assignments

MODULE:

Then  you will take a quiz on notes/reading : )

Begin working on other assignments with whatever time remains.
Assignments: 


WRITE: For this weekend, you will write Formal Essay #2: The Position Paper. Below are three articles involving social media/technology and teens: one from The Guardian and two from The New York Times. Both of the latter are by journalist and author Peggy Orenstein, who makes two separate, but thematically similar arguments about two of our beloved, time-consuming, media-age past-times: Facebook and Twitter. 

Read all three articles, linked below. Then, brainstorm the points and attempt to SYNTHESIZE them. In other words, establish a common ground. Try recording the over-arching points about media and your generation. I see this as a crucial 1st step for writing the paper because you must be able to totally understand these articles in order to write the paper.

The Guardian article

New York Times article 1

New York Times Magazine article 2

In essence, the question that seems to arise most prominently from my reading of these articles is the following: do we create social media, or does social media create us?

Essay #2: Apply your own experiences with these media to either support or oppose the notion that your generation is more "controlled by technology" than "controllers of technology." Choosing a side on this issue will be your thesis. This paper should be at least three pages, please consider the following tips and organizational pattern:

My Expectations: You will... 
(1) choose a side. No fence sitting please. It makes paper-writing easier (and better) 
(2) have a thesis statement that implies or states the essay’s plan of
development.
(3) construct support paragraphs that develop the thesis with concrete,
relevant, and cohesive support, using DIRECT REFERENCE TO AT LEAST ONE IF NOT ALL THREE ARTICLES, as well as your personal insights, experiences, etc. You may find another source(s) to use for this paper, just keep in mind that though we have not specifically discussed it yet, I will expect that the sources are CREDIBLE and CITED.
(4) Please also use transitional words, phrases, and clear, concise sentences. REMEMBER...PERIODS ARE YOUR FRIENDS!
(5) Use good diction and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in 80% of the sentences.

Possible Plan of Development: 


1. Like the articles do, consider beginning your position with an interesting, specific detail from your own social media life. The example should be strong enough to carry the essence of your entire paper and lead-in to your thesis.

2. Explain how this example evinces the answer to the question: does your generation "control" or get "controlled?"

3. Go global. Bring in the 3rd parties...the articles....your own research...apply these lessons and "expert advice" to support your position.