CONTEXT: FUTURE WORLDS
Practice Context Response
Prompt:
"Artificial Intelligence may be the result of humanity's imaginative genius, but the more we have of it the less creativity men and women will be able to exercise."
Style:
Expository
What is Expository writing?
 Expository is to ‘expose’ the truth or all sides of the truth. You are aware of all major stakeholders and their various points of view

It is NOT to persuade and your audience can make up their own mind based on your informative findings

Mature and sophisticated language/ vocabulary is required especially if you are writing a feature article in a school science magazine.
Metalanguage from the studied texts is also a prerequisite. For example, if the context is ‘Future Worlds’ then you need to harness the language, which is sometimes fictitious, of the future.

You are paying close attention to the wider implications of the studied texts and accompanying articles or that you can interpret the issues/ complications arising from the text that exist in the world and news of today.
A suggested way to approach the response

Begin by defining Artificial Intelligence

The first half of the essay can ponder A.I. as the inspiration behind many science fiction movies such as Blade Runner, Terminator, etc. Explain what a
Replicant is and their various roles in the future world of Los Angeles 2019.
Whilst they have been designed to serve man they begin to exhibit feelings but have a lifespan of 4 years. Meanwhile, humans themselves seem to have forgotten what it means to be human, etc. Hope and a reminder of the essence of living life to its fullest seems to come from the most unlikely source, the Replicants, in particular Batty.

The second half of the essay can explore what constitutes A.I. now and how it can benefit our future civilization. List and explain 3-4 types of robots, such as
Elbot and Roxxxy, that mimic types of human behaviour (see handout resource booklets). During this part of the essay you need to consider whether or not forms of AI may one day assume the work humans do or even become self-aware and take over

Finish by revealing how problematic and controversial it is to create an artificial being that is equal to a human being in every way.

Criteria:

Aim for between 400-500 words

Make references to Gattaca, Minority Report, V For Vendetta, Blade
Runner, The Pedestrian and other relevant science fiction movies. You have plenty of notes to refer to on these various texts. You need to know each of them intimately, especially Gattaca.

Make use of the various handouts that you have been given in class

Make references to current affairs or any research that you have undertaken on the topic

Include your own general knowledge.
Feedback from Expository Unit 1 2011
 Focus on achieving the right blend of current event issues versus text
 When referring to the text find appropriate linking language. Avoid linking language like, ‘just like in the movie Gattaca’. Instead be formal,
‘…equally in Niccol’s Gattaca…’
 Expository looks at the bigger picture, so avoid concentrating too heavily on 1 single piece of technology like the mobile phone. It’s a valid point but don’t over expose it
 The consistent use of quotes from the text and from experts/ professionals in the media
 Allowing the prompt to guide you in your writing. In this instance focusing on both the good and bad aspects of technology
 References to texts such as Gattaca, BR, Minority Report, V for Vendetta need to be relevant and linked to the prompt. Carefully select examples from the text
 When citing examples from the media avoid being too general or broad sweeping. This is acceptable for both your introduction and conclusion but during the main body provide specific examples in conjunction with quotes in order to bring facts to your response
 When talking about future worlds, technology, cloning, genetics, etc, then your language must be more sophisticated and complex. Know how to explain what cloning is. Furthermore, build a glossary of terms/ words from Gattaca and demonstrate a preparedness to incorporate this metalanguage into your response. Avoid words like ‘a lot, things, nowadays’, etc
 Avoid using headings/ sub-headings
 Spend 5 minutes planning your response
 Meet the word limit of at least 500 words
Resources: http://resources.mhs.vic.edu.au/creating/Future/pages/futureFrameset.htm