Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Bouyea English 10 Standard
Fahrenheit 451 Research Paper Assignment
Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 serves as a warning
against technological control of our daily lives. In the novel, the
characters are absorbed in technology such as seashells, parlor
walls, mechanical hounds, and fast cars. These technologies
have turned the people into mindless and lifeless creatures who
withdraw from each other in order to immerse themselves into
technology. The novel was written as a warning to modern day
society about how technology can and will affect society’s lives
in a negative way if allowed to do so.
You are going to research current day technology and explain
the possible negative effects technology has on humans in the
twenty-first century.
 Pick three forms of technology that have negative effects on
society and research these technologies.
 Write a five paragraph research paper that explains the
technology and the negative effects on teenagers.
 Each body paragraph must focus on one form of technology
and must have research quoted in each body paragraph.
 You will be required to have discussed THREE different
uses or forms of technology that have negatively impacted
society today.
Essay breakdown:
Intro paragraph:
1. What was the novel Fahrenheit 451 warning readers about? (Look at the prompt for suggestions and
help getting started)
2. Introduce the subject of technology in general: How does it impact humans? Are there positives? If
so, what positive impact has it had on our lives? List a few ways it has benefited us to be
technologically advanced
3. Transition to the negative effects of technology and list a few ways it has changed our lives for the
worse.
4. End your intro with a thesis statement that lists the three negative ways technology has changed lives
for the worse and this will be how you break down your body paragraphs
Body #1: THE FIRST NEGATIVE IMPACT FROM THESIS YOU LISTED
1. Introduce this area of technology
2. Discuss a way it impacts people negatively and provide a quote from a source
3. Explain your quotes afterwards (PIE FORMAT AS USUAL)
4. Try to have at least 2 quotes in each body paragraph (TWO LITTLE PIE’s)
BODY #2: THE SECOND NEGATIVE IMPACT FROM THESIS
1. Introduce this area of technology
2. Discuss a way it impacts people negatively and provide a quote from a source
3. Explain your quotes afterwards (PIE FORMAT AS USUAL)
4. Try to have at least 2 quotes in each body paragraph (TWO LITTLE PIE’s)
BODY #3: THE THIRD NEGATIVE IMPACT FROM THESIS
1. Introduce this area of technology
2. Discuss a way it impacts people negatively and provide a quote from a source
3. Explain your quotes afterwards (PIE FORMAT AS USUAL)
4. Try to have at least 2 quotes in each body paragraph (TWO LITTLE PIE’s)
Conclusion paragraph:
1. Discuss again the topic of technology and its positives and negatives impacts on society
2. What is the takeaway message of Bradbury’s novel then about technology?
3. What can we, society, learn about limiting our use of technology? How will this benefit us in the
future?