Assignment Sheet English 1302 Essay #4

Assignment Sheet

English 1302

Essay #4

Focus: Implications and Consequences

 

Our fourth essay assignment will build on our analysis of PBS documentary, “Digital Nation”, the issues, and concepts within the documentary, with a focus on implications and consequences. Using our knowledge of the concept of media literacy, we will build on the skill of argumentation, yet focus on the societal impacts, effects, or potential outcome(s) of a newsworthy event of issue. We have studied the work of Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, who argue that most adults, when asked to analyze, are not aware of the skills required to take thoughts and ideas apart.  Further, sound critical thinking and analysis requires the ability to “see around corners” by thinking fully through the implications and consequences of thoughts and actions, as well as ideas.

 

Implications and consequences are terms that refer to, respectively, the what might happen and the what does happenas a result of thoughts and actions.  All thoughts have implications, all actions have consequences.  Consequences, though often associated with the negative, are not always negative.  If one studies for an “A” on a test and as a result receives an “A”, then one reaps the benefit of hard work though a positive consequence.  Issues, as well as names and nomenclatures like climate science, climate change, global warming, health care, and unemployment all impact society in significant ways.  Other issues impacting American society, such as the concepts of income inequality, anti-intellectualism, warrant criticism and analysis.  Additionally, questions to consider are who controls? Who benefits? Who decides?

(Starratt 2001) Your goal for this essay is to consider the implications and consequences of an idea, concept, movement, or newsworthy issue, and to argue the possible effects of the issue you choose.  Your thesis therefore will not only define the issue or concept, but outline its possible societal effects.  As with each essay that we write, your discussion should contain a clear thesis reflecting the outcome(s) you plan to argue.

 

As the writer, it will be important for you to remember that you are presenting ideas from your point of view (without using “I”). Your views may be seen differently from other perspectives, or other interpretations, interpretations you will research and include in your essay.  Thus, it will be important to justify your claims based on your analysis of the issue.

 

The additional challenge of this assignment is not to come across to your audience as dogmatic in your perspective.  In other words, you want to be certain that the tone you assume is not arrogant or abrasive.

 

Formula for Organization:

For this assignment, we are conducting research around issues.  To generate substantive results, you will want to pull from a variety of scholarly sources (books, magazines, journal articles, newspaper articles).  Be sure to define the issue clearly, and present your arguments for implications and consequences, based on your research.

This paper should be 3-5 pages in length; it should be typed, using Times New Roman font no larger than 12 point.  Papers should be double-spaced.  Please remember to indent each paragraph.  Papers should additionally include citation and documentation of 3-5 (minimum 3) sources, including the text you select from which to base your analysis.  These may come from books, scholarly articles, and carefully selected Internet sources.  Be sure to critique sources for reliability and credibility.