How Is Technology Changing Us?

The rubric is attached.Introduction: • Opens with a few sentences that introduce the topic or issue to be discussed, providing context  for the argument and engaging the reader (the “Hook”.) In an original argument you can often  use textual sources (paraphrase and quotes from relevant articles in They Say/I Say) to help lay  out the context/background and the differing scholarly perspectives on the issue you will be  arguing. • One common method for establishing context is to begin your introduction stating your  opponent’s view, and then using a contrast transition (such as “however” or “In contrast”) to  segue into your own thesis/main claim. This method has the benefit of not only stating your  opponent’s view at the outset but also using it to establish context for your claim.  • See model introductions by Orwell (They Say/I Say Chapter 1) and Mantsios (Chapter 5) for examples on how to implement the above strategy for introducing/providing context for a topic.  • Proceeds from general to specific (Inverse Pyramid). • Concludes in a strong, focused thesis statement (Thesis = Claim + Reason) that makes a  supportable claim, identifies and proposes a solution to a problem, or takes a stance on a  debatable issue: (Sample argumentative thesis:) “Because the polygraph has not been proven  reliable even under controlled conditions, its use by private employers should be banned.” For Writing Assignment 3, your thesis should state your position on one of the topics/issues dealt  with in the essays from the chapters in the text in the third person and your reasoning for taking  this stance. Sample Thesis for Writing Assignment 3: The Government should not play an active  role in enacting laws to counter the obesity epidemic in society today, as such actions are unfair  and detract from personal culpability, failing to motivate citizens to take responsibility for their  own livelihood and health. A more feasible option would be for the Government to indirectly  support a health-conscious society through the promotion of a more substantial system of  nutritional education and a privatized, incentivized healthcare industry.  Body Paragraphs: • A topic sentence (a one sentence summary of the paragraph’s main points – alerts the reader to  what the remainder of the paragraph will be about) that points back to the thesis as well as  toward what is to come in the rest of the paragraph. In an argumentative essay, the topic  sentence is usually a secondary or sub-claim focusing on one particular aspect of your  thesis/argument. (May be implied)  • Well integrated quotations and specific examples that support your topic sentence (Evidence). o Sentences and examples in your body paragraph must support your topic sentence.  Sentences that do not support your topic sentence disrupt the unity and coherency of  your paragraph and should be removed or relocated. o Body Paragraphs must be well-developed and contain sufficient, relevant, concrete, and  specific examples and reasons to adequately support your topic sentence. o Quotes that are adequately framed and integrated (See Chapter 3 in They Say/ I Say for  information on how to appropriately frame quotes using the “quotation sandwich  method). o Uses Signal Phrases to effectively introduce quotes • Your interpretation of the examples (Reasoning or Metacommentary). o Gives your specific interpretation of your support so as to prevent misinterpretation by  the reader o Explicitly analyzes and explains the significance of your examples and how they support  your argument: illustrates the thinking process you used to connect the evidence to  your claims. (What is their significance to your claim/topic sentence? How do the  examples support your argument?) o Makes use of metacommentary to help guide the reader through your thought process  and aid in the interpretation of your argument.  o Avoid vague examples and “fuzzy,” imprecise, overgeneralized wording (For instance,  words such as “good,” “well done,” etc.) in favor of specific, direct reasoning and  explanation (i.e. Why is the support “good”? What makes the author’s statements and  examples “relevant”? How, specifically, do they back up your argument?).  o Your analysis/interpretation should be the longest, most in-depth aspect of your body  paragraphs as it highlights your critical thinking skills in linking your support to your  claims. • Makes effective use of transitions to show relationship between ideas; links ideas within and  between paragraphs and improves paragraph flow (i.e. coherency) (See They Say/I Say, Chapter  8, pages 111-112 for a list of common transition words), permitting ideas to build off one  another in a logical fashion.  • Successfully addresses and refutes at least one counterargument (naysayer) to your claim. • Makes logical connections between sentences and ideas.  • Demonstrates flow and coherency in language usage (Including proper grammar, formal word  usage (i.e. no slang words or contractions), smooth and adequate transitions between ideas,  etc.).  • Body paragraphs should be unified, coherent, and well developed. • Stays in the third person throughout – no First person “I” “I think” “I agree” etc. and no Second  person “you” “your” “you’re”  Conclusion: • Restates thesis and main points of essay (though without repeating the exact wording)  • Ties together all the main points of essay and relates them to the essay’s topic • Does not introduce any new points or examples not previously discussed in body of essay  • Relates your argument to a larger social context (So What? Who Cares?) and makes a link  outward, discussing its implications or significance to society as a whole  • Offers a recommendation for a course of action or a prediction for the future