COMP131: Computers in Modern Society.
Research Argumentative Essay Paper
You will choose a subject from the 3 Subjects listed below and write an Argumentative Essay Paper. This type of essay is
a critical piece of writing, aimed at presenting objective view of a subject matter. It is narrowed down to a single topic.
thesis led approach where you make your point regarding the topic. It provides two or more positions on a debatable topic
and compares the evidence for each position.
Using Logic and variety of types of evidence, it shows one position to be stronger that the other positions.
Pick one of the following Subjects:
Subject 1 Social Media Privacy
Sharing personal information on a social networking site like Facebook is a voluntary activity. However, many individuals
do not fully understand the complex sharing and privacy policies of these networks. This often causes unintentional
sharing with people outside their intended social circle. The social networks themselves have come under fire from
privacy groups, who say that these companies use complex settings and policies to get users to share more information
than intended. This information is in turn shared with advertisers. Do you think social networking companies are a threat
to privacy?
Do you use any social networking sites? If so, which ones and do you know their policy of sharing your posts and photos
to others without your express consent?
Do you believe that social networks violate your privacy when they share information with advertisers? Why or why
not?
How would you feel if an employer were using your Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking profiles to make
decisions about hiring, placement, promotion, and firing?
Subject 2 Encryption
Data encryption protects your bank accounts and private e-mails, but it also allows criminals to hide evidence from
police. Some government agencies want to limit the power of data encryption to make it easier to find and jail criminals.
Privacy advocates argue that limiting encryption gives criminals and dictators tools that will be used to steal data and
suppress freedoms. Security advocates respond that to protect citizens from criminals, the police must be able to search
encrypted devices when warranted. Should governments be given a skeleton key to bypass encryption? Should
unbreakable encryption be illegal?
What is your opinion on unbreakable encryption? Should it be illegal? Defend your position. If a phone was believed to
hold information about a planned terrorist attack, would you support building a backdoor to encryption that would
allow the government to search the phone? What if you knew that the backdoor technique would eventually be leaked
and available to everyone?
Subject 3 E-Waste Environmental Effects
E-waste, also called electronic waste, is a name for electronic products that have come towards the end of their “useful
life”. Today it is nearly impossible to run a business without using electronics, therefore the effects of electronic
waste are immense. It is essential to manage and dispose of your companies e-waste responsibly.
Electronic devices contain valuable elements and substances that are suitable for reclamation, including lead,
silver, copper, and gold. These valuable materials can be reused creating salvage value for your company and
lessening the need to refine more of these materials reducing energy consumption.
This e-waste contains toxic materials that threaten both humans and the environment of these developing countries.
The toxic materials from the electronic devices and released into bodies of water, groundwater, soil, and air,
affecting both land and sea animals. If you throw out your computer, they will wind up in landfills, causing
toxic metals to seep into the groundwater. When e-waste is warmed up, toxic chemicals are released into the air
damaging the atmosphere. In developing countries, e-scrap is often shredded, burned, and dismantled in unsafe
sites.
Do you feel that governments should create laws that govern the energy consumption of computers and
other electronic devices? Why or why not? Using a search engine, find the website of the Energy Star program.
Which government agencies are responsible for this program? What environmental benefits has this program
already given us?
Create a topic from the Subject and the use it to develop your Essay. The topic can be in the form of a question.
e.g. if Subject is “Effects of Artificial Intelligence on the economy” a possible Topic could be “Will artificial
intelligence be beneficial to the economy in the next 5 years?”
After you have your Topic, you can take your position and develop your essay. A Possible Title for your essay
could be “Artificial Intelligence the next Evolution”
You can also google the Subject to gather information from where you can decide on your Topic and main
evidence for your paper.
PAPER STRUCTURE
You paper must contain the following sections:
I.
Cover Page
a. It should include school name, essay title, your name, class and professor name.
II.
III.
Introduction
a. It is the most important part of the essay because it often determines if your reader will read your
whole paper or not.
b. Consist of one or two paragraphs.
c. Highlight your main ideas and your essay organization.
d. Give a clear statesman of your position on the topic at the end.
Body
a. This is a general term that refers to everything in between the introduction and the conclusion.
b. It consists of the paragraphs that support your position, the counter position, and the refutation of
the counter position.
c. Houses the charts, figures, and images used in your paper.
d. The organization of the body will be different depending on the subject, topic, purpose, and
audience of your paper.
IV.
Conclusion
a. This is the second most important part of your paper because it is your last chance to convince
your readers you are correct.
b. A conclusion summarizes your argument while restating your position.
V.
References
a. List your information sources
ESAY GUIDELINES
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The length of the paper should be a minimum of 993 words.
Include at least 2 References
You can use Google Docs, Microsoft Word or any Word Processor Program
Cover Page should include school name, essay title, your name, class and professor name.
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Start numbering pages with your first complete page of text (the one after the cover page)
Name your essay CatNetID_Essay.pdf
You MUST submit an electronic pdf copy Blackboard Section 3 Privacy, Ethics and Security > Assignment
Project 3 > Assignment 3 Essay Submit.
For some guidelines on how to put together this type of paper search on "How to write an Argumentative Essay".