argumentative essay

Essay 2: Synthesis Essay–
Persuasive/Argumentative Paper on People and the Internet    (3-4 pages; 1000 words minimum)

Assignment: When considering the various aspects of the Internet, has the evolution of technology in the digital age been mostly positive or negative?  Utilize a minimum of 4 sources (2 from our readings and 2 that you find–these can be “popular” sources but must be retrieved from either Ebsco Host or Proquest via the CSN Library).  Include a Works Cited page with all sources correctly listed.

Guidelines:  An argumentative paper is one in which you take a position.  In this essay you will take a position on either the positive or negative aspect of Cyberspace.  Although you can bring up counter arguments in your essay, you are not given the option of being neutral.  This essay must be written entirely in the third person point of view and employ formal writing. 

Although you will incorporate the readings to either show support or opposition to your viewpoint, the ideas generated in this essay need to come from you.

Note:  If sources from the readings are not used, or not used effectively, the highest grade that can be earned is a C-

Make your thesis as specific as possible. Have a broad thesis so that you dont restrict yourself to only writing about one aspect.  For example, online romance would be a better subtopic than the main focus of your paper.  You will use sources/selections from the readings to add to your discussion. Using sources does not just mean that you only add quotations when it serves (often as support) for your own sentences, but that you actually entail and dissect the ideas these other authors have expounded upon in their essays.  How do other authors support and/or go against your own claims.  Credit or discredit them. 

Lastly, this paper is not about you.  You will use the objective third person point of view throughout.  The only personal experiences that will be brought into your essay are those conveyed by the authors of essays you have chosen.