an argumentative essay which presents the reader with a specific and focused call to action

We have reached the end—our final major essay project of the semester. The point of the Position Piece is to take everything you have learned this term, and then go deeper than you have ever gone before.

Find a theme in “Robbie,” connected to a social issue such as the ones we have discussed in class all semester, and then create an argumentative essay which presents the reader with a specific and focused call to action. Use the story as a source. The focus of the essay is your call to action—not the source. So don’t write a thesis about the story. But use the story to back up your thesis in your body paragraphs.

Some of the themes we have discussed this semester include: racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, technology, etc. You may want to choose a topic we have NOT discussed in class this term for a better chance at originality/uniqueness.

The name of the game is: TEACH YOUR READER THAT WHICH WILL BE VALUABLE TO THEIR OWN LIVES.

The Social Issues Project is meant to help you facilitate your first real research of the term to prepare you for 1302 (which is all about argumentation and research). Your requirements are as follows:

·         Must write 5 pages plus your works cited page (so 6 pages total)

·         Must use 1 primary source text (“Robbie,” by Isaac Asimov)

·         Must use 2 reliable/scholarly sources to back up your thesis/call to action (Google Scholar)

·         Must present a unique and focused call to action for the reader (one thing your reader can actually do in the real world that will make their life better after reading your essay)

·         Must present a works cited page and use in-text citation (MLA format)

Tips for success:

1.       Choose a theme we have not discussed this term.

2.       Write a very focused thesis with a specific call to action, for ex: Although technology has made artificial intelligence possible, it’s important to never make robots that look or act like humans because their programming may not be strong enough to keep them safe.

3.       You should not have more than one quote/source per paragraph. More than that—you probably aren’t writing enough of your own ideas—if you have less than that, you aren’t using enough support to back up your claim.

4.       Get to the page requirement—even if you feel like you are BSing your way through. If you submit the full essay, I can help you. No matter how weak you think it is—SUBMIT YOUR WORK.

5.       Spend several hours outside of class revising and proofreading and tweaking and peer reviewing your work. I know this seems like a lot of time to some of you. But your essay gets stronger the more you work it.

6.       Failure to properly cite sources can result in a 0 for the essay. Plagiarism always results in a 0.