English 1A Spring 2013
Rough Draft Due: Mon. June 10
Final Draft Due: Wed. June 12
Isabel Sperry
Foothill College
Length: 1500-2000 words
Essay #3: Research Argument on Human and Machine Interaction
“If we could agree, as a species, what we wanted, where we were headed, and why, then we would make our future
much less dangerous—then we might understand what we can and should relinquish.” –Bill Joy “Why the Future
Doesn’t Need Us.”
Drawing on the assigned readings from the Course Reader "Section Four: Human and Machine
Interaction" (65-94) as well as additional research, write an argument based on one of the topics
listed below. As usual, you must use MLA style, double space both the rough and the final draft,
have the rough peer reviewed by two people, type the final draft, and turn in the final draft
including a Works Cited page that is formatted correctly with the rough stapled behind it (or all
put in a folder in that same order). Include all the readings in the unit in your Works Cited
sheet and any other readings you do for the assignment. If you skim a reading, you can
exclude it but anything you read could presumably affect your thinking and it is more impressive
to have read a lot before writing a paper than a little.
Goals:
1. To practice persuading your opponents by presenting their arguments and responding to them
in such a way that you convince your readers that your view is reasonable.
2. To fine tune your essay writing skills, further developing the ability to state a clear thesis and
support it with evidence, explanation and reasoning.
3. To perfect your ability to choose, integrate, and explain quotes in your writing.
4. To synthesize texts and your own experience to draw reasonable inferences and understand
how the ideas in these sources relate to and reflect on one another.
5. To practice critical thinking, for example by testing out your views by plugging in plausible
specific scenarios, and communicating the effect these tests have on your view of the topic.
TOPICS:
1. Claudia Wallis and Clifford Stoll illustrate some of the possible hazards associated with using
computers and cell phones for text messaging, but also list some benefits. Write an essay in
which you actively use these two essays as well as two more that you find at the library (in
the library database, for example) to argue about the merits and hazards of using this technology.
You must take a stance on the issue in some way as Clifford Stoll does when he argues that the
Internet actually isolates us more than it connects us, present the arguments of those who feel
differently from the way that you do, explain why you don’t accept their views, and try to
convince your readers that your view is reasonable. I suggest that you use examples from your
own life as well as from these readings and your research to make your essay unique, persuasive
and interesting.
2. M.T. Anderson, Raymond Kurzweil, Bill Joy and Carl Sagan discuss or depict the benefits
and possible hazards associated with developing robots, artificial intelligence and machinehuman fusion in the future. Kurzweil and Sagan are much more optimistic than Bill Joy, or M.T.
Anderson, who focus more on concerns about where this might lead us, so in a way, Sagan and
Kurzweil are arguing with Joy and Anderson. Write an essay in which you use at least two of
these readings and also find two more from the library (online library database okay) to argue
about the merits and hazards of further developing such technology. Explain to your readers
what limits, if any, we should place on our use of such technology or why there should be no
limits. You must take a stance on the issue as all three of the essayists do, present the arguments
and potential arguments of those who would oppose your view so that you can counter-argue
these or explain why these aren’t compelling enough to dissuade you from your view.
3. See me if you have another idea that involves using at least two of the readings from this unit,
plus at least two other library sources to write an argument.
GUIDELINES:
1.
Choose your topic and do some library research, finding credible sources that help to
inform you and develop your views of the issues raised in the readings. It’s important that you
find writers who don’t agree with you as well as those who do so that you can present the views
of those who do not agree with you and counter-argue throughout your essay.
2.
When taking notes, make sure to write down the page number of information or
quotes you plan to use in your paper, since you will need to use MLA Style to cite author and
page number and include a Works Cited page at the end of the essay. See CTRW 276-294 and
300-313 and/or The Owl at Purdue: 2009 MLA Guide.
3.
Refer to the author’s statements or arguments in the present tense: Joy states...;
Kurzweil argues...but refer to results of research in the past tense. Stanley Milgram found...
4.
Use words that are appropriate to the level of certainty claimed by the research or
the writers. Often such phrases as “these findings suggest…” are more accurate than “research
shows,” but this depends on the research to which you refer, so be careful to use your own
critical reading and judgment and to carefully monitor how the researchers themselves phrase
their findings. Recall my lecture in class on what to look out for when checking the reliability of
a study or series of studies. In addition, make sure that when you make claims about future
possibilities you use the appropriate language. Don’t say, “When humans and machines fuse,”
for example if we don’t know this will happen. Instead, “If humans and machines fuse” is more
accurate. Of course, the fact that I am typing this right now using a machine could be considered
a kind of machine human fusion, so it isn’t like it isn’t already happening, but just make clear
distinctions between possibilities and eventualities and define what you mean clearly by using
examples.
5.
For paragraphs, indent using the tab key at each new paragraph and do not use
extra spaces between paragraphs. For your Works Cited page, use either the ruler or choose
Format>Paragraph and under Special, choose “Hanging”. This dialog box is also where you can
stop Word from automatically putting extra spaces between paragraphs. Check the box next to
"Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style."
6.
Organize the body paragraphs and sections of your paper around points you want
to make rather than simply narrating events. Bring up arguments of those who feel
differently than you do and then counter-argue: “Stoll believes that human beings are becoming
more isolated rather than less isolated by the Internet, but...”. This is required in this essay, but
it’s also useful because without this kind of acknowledging of the views of those who feel
differently, you will be less effective at convincing them that your views are reasonable, because
the arguments they have in their heads will remain untouched. Make sure to be respectful of the
views of your opponents because if you are not respectful you risk alienating them.