Digital Literacies
Source: Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings 10th ed., 2016. Ramage, Bean, and Johnson. New York: Pearson
Longman. ISBN: 9780134586519
4 Pages, double spaced, MLA, with a 5th page work cite. Parenthetical citation required.
Read the Digital Literacies section in the Writing Arguments, pages 520-535. NO outside research allowed!
Write a classic argument to a neutral or possibly skeptical audience addressing the issue question or claim from your exploration assignment or your reading of the sources. The issue question must be unique unto yourself. DO NOT borrow and issue question from the sources—I know their questions. I want your inquiring mind front and center!
Choose the two following sources to help you address the issue question:
• “Digital Demands: The Challenges of Constant Connectivity”
• “Diagnosing the Digital Revolution” Why It’s So Hard to Tell if It’s Really Changing Us”
• “Deconstructing Digital Natives
• “Help Teens Erase Their Web Indiscretions
• “An Internet ‘Eraser’ Law Would Hurt, Not Help, Oregon Teens”
• “The Age of the Selfie: Taking, Sharing Our Photos Shows Empowerment, Pride”
• “The Age of the Selfie: Endless Need to Share Tears Society’s Last Shred of Decency”
1) Introduction (one paragraph): Introduce the topic, focus the issue, and provide needed context and background.
There must be a claim with a because clause (see WA 60-62). Your claim must take a position.
2) Presentation of the writer’s position (multiple paragraphs): The presentation is usually the longest part of a classical argument.
3)
4) Summarize and or respond/refute and/or concede to opposing views. The alternate view must be sourced.
5) Show weakness in alternate/opposing views and wrap up argument.
6) Conclusion (one paragraph): Sum up the argument by creating a sense of closure and leaving the audience with a strong final impression.
In total, your essay should add up to 4-5 typed, double spaced,
MLA formatted pages. A Works Cited page is required and is not part of the 4-page minimum length.
Classic Argument Essay
Read the Digital Literacies section in the WA, pages 520-535. NO outside research allowed!
Write a classic argument to a neutral or possibly skeptical audience addressing the issue question or claim from your exploration assignment or your reading of the sources.
o The issue question must be unique unto yourself. DO NOT borrow and issue question from the
sources—I know their questions. I want your inquiring mind front and center!
Choose the two following sources to help you address the issue question:
• “Digital Demands: The Challenges of Constant Connectivity”
• “Diagnosing the Digital Revolution” Why It’s So Hard to Tell if It’s Really Changing Us”
• “Deconstructing Digital Natives
• “Help Teens Erase Their Web Indiscretions
• “An Internet ‘Eraser’ Law Would Hurt, Not Help, Oregon Teens”
• “The Age of the Selfie: Taking, Sharing Our Photos Shows Empowerment, Pride”
• “The Age of the Selfie: Endless Need to Share Tears Society’s Last Shred of Decency”
Choose ONE dataset in the attached PDF: Maeve Duggan’s “The Demographics of Social Media Users” to help you address the issue question.
Altogether you will have 3 and only 3 sources.
Using the chart “Organization Plan for an Argument with a Classic Structure” on page in the WA 53 text as a guide, organize your essay as follows:
1) Introduction (one paragraph): Introduce the topic, focus the issue, and provide needed context and background.
There must be a claim with a because clause (see WA 60-62). Your claim must take a position.
Sample claim: The world’s energy needs can (or cannot) be feasibly met with renewable sources
Sample reason: because by the year 4150 the Martian government regulation will be green.
Sample warrant that the audience must grant: Green government is good (remember the warrant does not appear in the paper, but the audience must understand and grant it nonetheless).
2) Presentation of the writer’s position (multiple paragraphs): The presentation is usually the longest part of a classical argument. Present your own position with grounds, warrants, and evidence that support the claim (see WA chapter 4 pages 67-76). Use the persuasive techniques of ethos, pathos, and logos. To support your points, include evidence such as examples, the visual, short quotations, or paraphrasing from the articles.
Parenthetical citation required.
3) Insert a line or bar graph (of your own creation), which tells the story of the data in the body of the argument.
Make sure to reference WA pages 200-206 for help with this section.
4) Summarize and or respond/refute and/or concede to opposing views. The alternate view must be sourced.
5) Show weakness in alternate/opposing views and wrap up argument.
6) Conclusion (one paragraph): Sum up the argument by creating a sense of closure and leaving the audience with a strong final impression.
In total, your essay should add up to 4-5 typed, double spaced, MLA formatted pages. A Works Cited page is required and is not part of the 4-page minimum length.
Step 1: Re-read the Classic Argument assignment sheet.
Step 2: Read the sources.
Step 3: Begin the drafting process
Step 4: Post 2-page rough draft to BB on-line Bull Pen/Discussion Peer Review session by (one page + visual). Due date TBA.
Step 5: BB on-line Bull Pen/Discussion Peer Review session must be completed. Due date TBA.
Step 6: Face to face (in-class) Content Peer Review/Introduction Workshop. Due date TBA.
(2-page, typed, printed draft required for instructor initials).
Step 7: Face to Face Peer Review. (2 copies of the 3-full page [absolute minimum-no exceptions no giant spaces] typed draft, with internal citations, visual, and with accompanying Works Cited pages are required) will take place. Due date TBA.
Step 8: Final paper is due online. Due date TBA.
• Make sure to scan all components of the essay into a separate document:
o Complete peer reviewed, instructor initialed [complete]copies—all of them—all the pages
o Tutor drafts and slips (Extra Credit)
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Tips:
• Highlight and annotate the WA as you read and re-read the sources, making notes as you prepare to draft the Classic Argument.
• Look up words and concepts you don’t understand.
• Start right away and do not be shy about asking for clarification or help.
• Make sure the visual, is of your own creation—no copy paste from source!
• Make sure the visual, in its entirety, does not consume more than ¼ page.
• Book tutor appointments early. Remember 2 points extra credit for presenting tutor slips with drafts (these are new drafts not previously reviewed by peer or instructor) with essay (up to 4 points).
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