To write a 2,200�2,500 word argument essay in which you identify one facet of modern technology that�s debatable or controversial because people may or may not rely on it too much
Paper details:
Objectives
� Use the writing process to write an argumentative essay
� Write an effective thesis statement
� Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate
detail, supporting evidence, and transitions
� Develop critical reading skills
� Use responsible research methods to locate appropriate
secondary sources
� Use Modern Language Association (MLS) citation and
documentation style to reference secondary source material
correctly and appropriately
� Quote, paraphrase, and summarize secondary source
material correctly and appropriately
� Use the conventions of standard written American
English to produce a correct, well-written essay.
Introduction
The widespread accessibility of modern technology has given
us many new possibilities. We�re now able to obtain information
more quickly and easily than ever before. We can keep in
touch family and friends online and make friends with people
we may never meet. We�re able to program destinations into
navigation systems and follow spoken directions without ever
consulting a map. However, many believe that this constant
access to different kinds of technology makes us more distracted,
less able to communicate meaningfully with each
other, and generally less capable.
Topic: To write a 2,200�2,500 word argument essay in which
you identify one facet of modern technology that�s debatable
or controversial because people may or may not rely on it too much
Purpose: To persuade your audience that this particular
facet of modern technology either should or shouldn�t be limited
due to people�s reliance on it
Methods: To use at least six secondary sources to support
your argument including
1. A minimum of three articles from Expanded Academic
ASAP
2. A minimum of three secondary sources that you have
evaluated according to the guidelines in your textbook
(569�573).
Audience: Junior and senior-level distance education students
enrolled at Penn Foster College
The Writing Process
Prewriting
1. Since you�re working with a very broad subject, technology,
you need to narrow it down to a manageable level.
a. Review Chapter 5, �Prewriting,� in your textbook,
specifically Choosing and Narrowing a topic (98�
107).
b. Reread Chapter 21 in your textbook, �Writing
Arguments,� to help you choose a sufficiently narrow
topic for your argument essay (526�529)
i. Your argument should make a claim.
ii.Your argument may also call for action.
2. Use one of the techniques from Chapter 5 (freewriting,
brainstorming, clustering, and so on) to develop your ideas
for a topic.
a. Remember, technology is too broad to write about in a
short essay, so you need to focus on a specific facet of
technology.
3. When you have a list of possible topics for your essay,
choose one or two to explore in detail with more freewriting
or brainstorming (107�117).
170 Graded Project
a. Write as much as possible based on what you know,
think, believe to be the case, or have heard about
your topic.
b. What do you think should be done to address the
issues you�ve raised?
4. Draft a �tentative claim� (545) that represents your point
of view on the topic. Because an argument essay also
acknowledges the opposing point of view (533�34), draft
a claim that represents the alternative point of view and
brainstorm reasons and evidence you know, think,
believe to be the case, or have heard about this side of
the issue.
Research
1. Your research is integral to your argument essay; however,
it plays only a supporting role. At this point, only
after you have gathered content in the prewriting
process, should you begin the research process, because
a. Your use of secondary sources should be limited.
b. Secondary sources provide evidence to support your
claims.
c. You shouldn�t allow secondary sources to take over
your argument.
2. Use your prewriting to guide your research. Look for evidence
that will help to confirm what you know, clarify
your point of view, or correct your mistaken beliefs.
3. Go to the library. Your Penn Foster digital library provides
resources that will help you to meet the research requirements
for your essay, but keep in mind that research in a
library, even a digital one, is not like searching online. To
learn more, visit the Penn Foster Library site.
4. Keep careful notes on your sources and a working
bibliography in order to avoid plagiarism.
Graded Project 171
Organizing
1. Use the graphic organizer on page 540 to organize your
argument before you begin drafting.
a. Identify each reason clearly and provide related supporting
evidence so that you can see your argument
in outline form.
b. The outline will help you to identify the parts of your
argument that don�t fit your thesis statement, where
you need more evidence, and where you can reorganize
points to make the overall essay more
persuasive.
Drafting
1. When you�ve completed your graphic organizer or outline,
follow your plan to draft your essay.
a. Use topic sentences to state your reasons, develop
the body of each paragraph logically using the evidence
you found in your research
2. Review Chapter 24 on incorporating research into your
essay. Be sure to
a. introduce borrowed content
b. properly punctuate quotations
c. provide in-text, or parenthetical, citations for all
secondary sources in MLA format
d. use MLA format for your list of works cited
3. Use transitions to help guide you readers to your next
point and to move smoothly throughout the argument
Revising
1. Review the Flowchart for Revising an Argument Essay
(550�551) in your textbook.
2. Use the revision strategies to revise any parts of the
essay where you answered �no.�
172 Graded Project
3. Be sure that you�ve edited and proofread (549) your
entire essay.
Assignment Checklist
1. Argument essay, including list of works cited
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