technology usage in our modern world

Criteria for Essay #1
Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to enter into the conversation, via an academic essay, about the integration of artificial intelligence and other technology into our lives and society. Remember, your opinion will not be graded. You may think that artificial intelligence and modern technology is a positive or a negative part of our modern world. However, you will need to explore your own opinion about this topic using the readings from the AI Chapter, chapter 12. Your essay will show a clear thesis regarding AI and/or technology usage in our modern world.
No matter your opinion, you will be supporting it with the articles from chapter 12 of Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum.
Skills: The assignment will support your skills that are critical in writing an academic essay. Using the source material (from our textbook only-no outside sources allowed). Refer to the Essay Grading Rubric for specific grading criteria.
Integrating writing skills from ENGL 1010
crafting an effective thesis (your opinion stated in one sentence, without first person pronouns)
integration of sources using MLA documentation
see MLA section of A Writer’s Reference for a refresher of MLA works cited entries)
MLA works cited page for sources used
correct use of signal phrases, direct quotations, and paraphrases to integrate source information
Using summary and critique from this module’s learning activities
correct internal citations in MLA format
Using critical thinking skills (critical thinking + critical reading[the texts over AI]=critical writing)
utilizing feedback from writing tutor visit over rough draft of essay
Editing and proofreading final draft
Knowledge: The assignment will help you to consider the future of technology and its impact on our personal and professional lives. In other words, you will gain more knowledge to help you form your own opinion about the intrusive nature of modern and future technology.
Task: Follow these steps to complete this essay.
1. Read the following articles from Chapter 12 of Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (E-Textbook)
Note: These articles are all of the sources needed for Essay #1
Introductory material on “Artificial Intelligence”
“2030-Ray Kurzweill’s Predictions or Bill Joy’s Fears” by Mathas
“Don’t Fear Artificial Intelligence” by Basulto
“Robots Will Take Your Job…” by Santens
Note: While the articles above are the required readings from the chapter, you may use any other article from chapter 12. As long as it comes from this chapter, you may use it. Feel free to explore the other ideas in the chapter to support your own ideas and opinions on the subject.
2. Decide how you feel about artificial intelligence and other modern technology that may or may not be intruding on our lives. Other technologies that play off the ideas in this chapter that may help you create your essay:
social media (algorithms that may/may not track our online activities)
“Big Tech” a few technology companies that control a lot of our online and offline lives
prevalence of online devices in our daily lives-work, school, and home
3. Craft your thesis using an answer to this rhetorical question:
Do you feel that artificial intelligence and/or other aspects of modern technology control too much of our lives?
feel free to “play” with this idea
remember, the answer is ultimately your own opinion
4. Choose at least two articles from Chapter 12 to use in support of your thesis
5. Use these two articles using correct MLA documentation in the essay and in your works cited page
four in-text citations and a works cited page are required
In-text citations: these come from your chosen articles. Use #1 and #2, p. 162 in A Writer’s Reference for examples
Works Cited Page: even though you will be using two articles from the textbook, you will need three works cited entries. See page 184-185, #30 in A Writer’s Reference for an example of what your works cited page should look like.
6. Stay away from using first person pronouns (I, my). Stay away from second person pronouns (you) too. Instead, you will want to express your essay without saying phrases like:
“In my opinion”
“I think”
“I feel”
“When thinking about this topic, I”
7. Edit/proofread. Remember, your writing tutor visit should give you some insight into areas of improvement and areas of strengths of your previous rough draft. Revision is important in the writing process.
7. Submit the essay in the Assignment Drobox. Due at 11:59PM of the due date.
Criteria for Success
A successful essay:
Meets basic requirements of the assignment
Has been written by the student submitting the essay, for this class, and for this semester,
Does not contain plagiarism of any kind
Academic dishonesty is an offense of the NSCC Student Code of Conduct, punishable by a failing grade or zero
Has a clear thesis, main ideas, and pattern of organization
Has been carefully edited and proofread to minimize grammatical and other editing errors
These can be remedied by editing and with Writing Tutor visits and peer reviewing
Follows MLA style and guidelines (spacing, indent, margins, etc. )
The essay will be graded with the Grading Rubric for Essays. Please familiarize yourself with this rubric before you submit your essay. Here is the condensed version of the rubric:
Grading Rubric for Essays
Elements Scored
Possible Points
Points Earned
Content
40
Organization
40
Editing
30
Documentation
40
Total Points
150

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