ELA Part 1 – Technology Essay Worksheet
Name:
Electronic Library Assignment Overview
Write a short essay (5-paragraphs) on a topic of your choice relating to technology,
computers, or the Internet, incorporating reliable sources from the web. This exercise
offers you the opportunity to learn new ideas or gain a better understanding of material
covered in the class. Essays will formatted using the MLA style learned in Unit F.
This handout will get you started on the essay. Another handout will be provided later with
more details about completing the essay and grading criteria.
1. Using reliable sources: You will need to incorporate information from reliable sources into
your essay. So start this assignment by searching the Internet for a checklist you can use to
help you evaluate sources. You can also refer back to the Evaluate Web Pages Tutorial video
from Widener University (introduced in the Internet Search Graded Assignment) for more
details on evaluating web resources.
2. Narrow your topic: If needed, use a directory to narrow down a topic you might be
interested in writing about. Remember it will only be 5 paragraphs so it must be fairly
narrow.
3. Search your topic: Perform at least two keyword searches on your topic using synonyms
or related terms. Perform a third search on your topic using a different search engine. You
will need a minimum of two reliable electronic sources retrieved from the Internet. This
can include the web (URL required) and/or college research databases. Use the checklist
printed in step 1 to help you identify reliable sources.
4. Prewriting activity: Essay worksheet
To help you organize your thoughts, complete the attached worksheet and submit to your
instructor for approval. You must get approval on your worksheet before completing
the writing assignment. If submitting electronically, save this file as
FirstLastNameWorksheet.docx (replace “FirstLastName” with your first and last name).
5. Getting help with a writing assignment
If you wish to have additional help on an essay, you may schedule an appointment with a
writing conference instructor by going to www.worwic.edu and clicking on Current
Students > Learning Resources > Writing Conferences. Limited time slots are available,
so an appointment is required. If you cannot keep your appointment, it is your
responsibility to cancel any writing conferences by using this link. Be prepared for your
appointment by reviewing the PowerPoint presentation at
www.worwic.edu/Media/Documents/LearningResources/Writing Center Conferences.ppt
Revised: 3/10/2016
Page 1 of 2
CMP 101: ELA Part 1
Topic. Choose something related to technology, computers, the Internet, or people known for their
contributions to technology.
Question. The essay question will help you focus your essay. Examples: How have smartphones evolved in the
last 3 years? How did Bill Gates start Microsoft? Will slate computers replace desktop / laptop computers?
Essay Subtopics.
Choose 3 subtopics to cover in your essay. Each subtopic will be one paragraph, should help answer your essay
question, and be related to the other sub topics in such a way that will allow you to organize them in a logical
order or sequence. Enter your subtopics below and details you plan to include in the paragraph.
Subtopic 1:
Subtopic 2:
Subtopic 3:
Details:
Details:
Details:
Working Thesis. A thesis is the guiding statement for your essay. It introduces your topic, your position or
thoughts on the topic, and the subtopics you will use to support your position or thoughts.
Revised: 3/10/2016
Page 2 of 2