102eatonenglish: March 5, 2015

Class Work

Let's review - Technology/Medicine Friend or Foe (A handout was provided earlier.) Let's look at the guidelines together. You will be writing the draft and posting in CANVAS by Tuesday. We will peer edit on Tuesday. Bring a paper copy to class.

Technology/Medicine – Friend or Foe?

For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition of the merits or dangers of technology or controversial medical advances. 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, etc. Or you may discuss a specific medical advance such as stem cell research or cloning.

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!
II. The body of the paper will do several things –
a. Convince the readers 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
1) At least two experts.
2) A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine
article or news cast.
3) An interview with at least one user if you select the technology option or with an interested party if you select the medical advances option.
4) A personal anecdote if you select the technology option or have personal experience with the medical option.5) Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. We read “The Veldt” and “There Will Come Soft Rains.”6) 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 selected or to support or fight against the medical advance you selected. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:
a. Convenience
b. Cost
c. Safety
d. Environmental impact

e. Societal impact – negative and positive

f. Religious thoughts

e. Ethical concerns

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Moving on . . .

1. You have 10 minutes to go out of the room, find a wall or barrier, take a picture of it or make a sketch. In addition, find a rock. Bring the picture/sketch and rock back to class. See you soon!

Writing about a rock . . . (You may use paper or you may type on a Word document.

Size
Shape
Distinguishing features
Color
Weight
Sound
Smell
Uses??? Be creative here.

Keep your reactions for the future.

Moving on . . . .

Table Work: Create a mind-map using Walls/Barriers as the center element. Branch out from there. One map per table, please. All names must appear on the map. The person with the birthday closest to today is the "illustrator" of the map.

The person with the birthday farthest from today is the "leader/questioner" who keeps asking, "What else do we know about walls?" and other questions.
Moving on . . . .
3.
. Take out your wall/barrier photos or sketches. Share and discuss.

Why did you select that wall or barrier?
What do you like about it?
What is the purpose of the wall/barrier?
Talk about the shape and size of the wall or barrier.
Is that wall or barrier effective?
If you could change one thing about that wall or barrier, what would that be? Explain.

Homework: Find a famous or not so famous wall or barrier. Post a picture of it on CANVAS and answer the following questions: (Due Tuesday, March 10, 2013)