M2 B– Essay Assignment
Length: 4-5 pages plus a works cited page
Source Requirement: At least 2 sources from Chapter 7 of A Writer’s Guide to Mindful Reading. You may use up to 4 sources but no more.
Note: Do not use outside sources
The authors of the selections in Chapter 7 of A Writer’s Guide to Mindful Reading are concerned with the contemporary place of technology, as well as the future role of technology. Yet, many authors consistently look to the past, to history, as well.
In order to inquire into the role that history plays in this larger discussion about technology, write an essay that explores how at least two of the authors address history.
Develop an academic argument that addresses why history is so important to the discussion about current and future technologies (see Chapter 4 for help with developing an academic argument).
It is likely that you will need to reread the selections by applying a reading strategy that you think will be most effective for completing this particular assignment.
This essay will be graded out of 100 points.
The following will be assessed:
• Application of the writing strategies and techniques, as well as a demonstration of an understanding of the ideas in the assigned course materials (e.g., avoiding binary thinking, integrating the So What?
question; integrating the naysayer to complicate your ideas; staying away from both the debate model of writing and the five-paragraph essay model; providing support for your main point; focusing and organizing your paragraphs; keeping your reader in mind)
• A clearly articulated and focused argument that can be explored and developed through engagement with the texts/sources
• Close engagement with and analysis of textual evidence/sources that showcases your active reading abilities
• A complicated exploration that places sources in conversation with one another in order to help propel the paper forward
• The development of ideas rather than the repetition of the same idea throughout or a list of several, unexplored ideas
