In response to the chapter readings and using them as in-text references, write an essay choosing from one of the following prompts about the social and language effects of social networking, texting/tweeting, and online relationships. 

You must use TWO readings from the chapter in the text as supporting evidence using summary, paraphrasing, and quotes cited correctly in-text and on an MLA formatted Works Cited List. Late essays are NOT accepted for any reason. NO exceptions. 

NOTE: This is an argument position paper, so when writing your thesis, ask yourself what the opposing side might be. If there is no opposing side, then the thesis is not debatable. For example, merely saying there are good things and bad things/pros and cons about technology or social media or texting is NOT an argument; that's an evaluation. This is a position paper; you MUST take a position, and then acknowledge the opposing view with the language of concession and refutation. 

Choose one of the following prompts to respond to:

1. What might the erosion of the real and virtual boundaries that social networking promotes eventually do to the way we communicate with each other? Will the way people define themselves now be different in 20 years as a result of this blending of online and offline relationships? Or will it NOT?Take a position.

2. Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said that "civilization is the ever-widening circle of those whom we do not kill." Apply this statement to Internet relationships. Will the Internet revolutionize communication to the extent that it can prevent wars and human disagreement? Or will it NOT? Take a position.

3. Are tweeting, texting, and other forms of abbreviated communication changing how we speak? Is there a difference between how you tweet or text and how you communicate in person, with live speech? Take a position making the argument about the impact, if any, of tweeting and texting on the spoken word. Either it DOES have an impact or it DOES NOT have an impact. Be prepared to acknowledge the opposing view and support your thesis with examples and evidence.

You should write between 5-6 pages for this essay. Late essays are NOT accepted.

Depending on the prompt you choose, the essay may be cause and effect, evaluation, or compare/contrast. Bear in mind that the structure of your essay may differ somewhat depending on the purpose of your writing, but overall in any case, the essay should have the following basic components:

• A title that informs the reader and provides a hint of what to expect in the paper and the thesis
• An introduction that engages the reader, introduces the articles and authors smoothly, and provides any necessary background contextualization leading up to the thesis.
• Thesis statement that is the SINGLE CONTROLLING IDEA of the paper without announcing ("In this essay I will...")
• Body paragraphs with clear topic sentences, supporting evidence, development of ideas in logical order, and effective transitions
• Acknowledgement of an opposing point of view using the language of concession

        and refutation

• Effective use of the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos.  
• A conclusion that wraps up the ideas for the reader, revisiting the thesis without repeating it and not introducing new ideas.
• At least two articles/authors from Chapter 8 are required as supporting evidence: short quotes, paraphrasing and summary. You may also use the articles listed below if cited correctly.
• Be sure to correctly cite all paraphrasing/summary/quoting both in the body of the paper (in-text), and a correctly formatted MLA Works Cited List. (If additional sources are used, no more than THREE outside sources may be used, making a total of no more than FIVE sources altogether).

Download and refer to: Language and Technology Writer's Checklist.

Here is a link to a page about MLA formatting and citation.

Here are the peer review guidelines for this essay. Print these out and bring to class with your three drafts on peer review days.

Language and Technology Essay articles: 

1. "In the Beginning Was the Word" - Christine Rosen
2. "Much Ado About Blogging" - Scott Rosenberg 
3. "Texting" -David Crystal - PDF file: download and open.
4. "r u online? The Evolved Lexicon  of Wired Teens" - Kris Axtman p. 247 
5. "I Tweet, Therefore I Am" - Peggy Orenstein
6. "Note to Selfie" - John Dickerson  

Other sources:

Ted talks:

Sherry Turkle: "Together Alone" 

• PDF : "The Flight From Conversation"
• Discussion Questions 
• Click here to see how to CITE a TED talk 

John McWhorter - Texting is Killing Language: JK!  13:48

7 Ted Talks about technology

Helen Fisher: Technology Hasn't Changed Love - Here's Why - 19:06

Selfies study: Link to CBS News: UC Irvine study shows selfies make you happy

NPR - Selfies: Me, Me, Me: The Rise Of Narcissism In The Age Of The Selfie

NPR: To Remember a Moment, Try Taking Fewer Photos 

New York Times: "How to Deal with Digital Distractions"   

From The Conversation: "Why does using a period in a text message make you sound insincere or angry?"

Funny video: Life was Better Without Phones? 

Formatting Your Essays in MLA Style:

The formatting should be a 12 point legible font - Arial preferred. 

Indent five spaces for each new paragraph, but do not put extra spaces between paragraphs. 

Put the writing prompt you chose AND your THESIS at the TOP of the paper.

Double-space in the upper left corner of only the first page.

Your Name  

English 1A   

Prof. Ziff

Date  

Language and Technology Essay

Centered Informative TITLE 

 Capitalized Correctly Same Size Font and

neither Bold nor Underlined.

Grading Scale:

90 - 100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

60 - 69 = D

Lower than 60 = F