Argumentative Essay
Pini
Application.odtEssay 1: The internet makes writing as innovative as speech
Things to Do with the Reading:
According to Cameron, what is new and innovative about the ways that writing is being used today by people online, as compared to ways that writing has historically been used (i.e., offline)? In what ways has the written word changed as a result of its new online functions? Describe two concerns about or possible problems with online writing that Cameron discusses in her article, as well as her response to each concern. Name one other criticism or concern that you’ve heard about how people communicate online, and include your own response to this concern.
Application:
Cameron (a professor at the University of Oxford) discusses her students’ views about the “etiquette” for using writing to communicate with others versus using speech. Using your own experience and what you’ve been reading on this topic of communication and technology, create an etiquette guide for writing and communicating online. This guide should be more than a numbered list of do’s and don’ts. You will need an introduction that uses secondary sources, including Cameron’s article and other selections that you may have read on this topic. You will want to consider the different types of online writing that your etiquette guide will cover, including emails, instant messages (IMs), text messages, posts, and so on. Then, consider what you want to say about the proper way to use (and not use) each form or type of technology when communicating with others. Think about the objections or criticisms that others might raise to your etiquette guidelines, and where appropriate, include a discussion of and response to these possible objections in your etiquette guide.
Essay 2: The Economist, “Beyond the Pale: Race in Silicon Valley”
Things to Do with the Reading:
The Economist outlines one of the central struggles of the volatile year 2020, race relations. While reading, highlight any statistics about race you find. Then investigate what racial demographics in the United States are for a variety of ethnic and racial groups. Do you believe the diversity of tech companies should match the population metrics racially? How might this best be accomplished?
Application:
According to certain activists, one way of improving diversity in the workplace is through Affirmative Action measures. Yet California, a traditionally liberal state, rejected Affirmative Action on their November 2020 ballots. Why might a Democratic supermajority state reject this solution to diversity issues? Investigate the problem related to increasing diversity and opportunity to people of all races and ethnicities, and then propose what you consider to be the best solution, whether it is Affirmative Action or some other solution, to help solve this problem long term.
Essay 3: “We Need Higher Quality Outrage” by Deborah Tannen
Things to Do with the Reading:
Define “agonism.” What is it, and what are the two types of agonism that Tannen discusses in her article? What is the binary opposition at the heart of this article? As her central claim in this article, what does Tannen have to say about these opposing approaches to public and private discourse?
Application:
Tannen’s article was written in 2004, and she references key events of that time (the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Iraq War, President George W. Bush’s address to the United Nations, and so on). However, much of what Tannen has to say about agonism and opposition could also be applied to today’s current political discussions and reporting of current events. Select a specific current political event and do research to see how it is reported in a few different sources, including at least one source that is not based in the United States (such as a newspaper published in the United Kingdom). Discuss similarities and differences in the various reports that you have selected, including the language used, the claims made, the points of view presented, and the people who are quoted or mentioned as sources or experts.
Essay 4: “Glamour and the Art of Persuasion: What Barack Obama Has in Common with a Cellophane Candy Wrapper” by Virginia Postrel
Things to Do with the Reading:
Postrel states that “Glamour is powerfully persuasive.” Explain the phenomenon of glamour. What are two fundamental characteristics of glamour? What are a couple of examples of glamorous people, places, or things that Postrel discusses? How is glamour persuasive? And how can someone or something lose its glamour? Use specific quotes from Postrel’s article in your responses.
Application:
Postrel mentions military recruitment videos and Barack Obama as a presidential candidate in 2008 as two contemporary examples of glamour. Choose another present-day example of glamour and describe it, providing specific details about this glamorous person, object, place, or event. Do some research about the history of this glamorous person, place, or thing and use that research to offer an explanation for the source of its glamour. (For example, Postrel talks about associations between Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy, and about the fact that Obama had a relatively unknown national political profile, as two explanations for his glamorous appeal in 2008.) Also discuss why the example that you’ve chosen is glamorous to you. What is it that makes you drawn to this glamorous person, place, or thing? If you happen to be writing about a person, place, or thing that used to be glamorous but no longer is perceived as glamorous, explain why public (or your) perception changed.
Essay 5: “Cities for People-Or Cars? New Urbanism Rediscovers Centuries of Walkable Wisdom” by Charles L. Marohn
Things to Do with the Reading:
According to Marohn, in what ways are modern, automobile-based approaches to developing a city “efficient, orderly, and dumb”? What is the New Urbanism civic design movement, and how does it differ from an auto-based development approach? Why does Marohn say that it’s important for people today to think about and act on this question of what makes a city successful? Use specific details from Marohn’s article in your responses.
Application:
Do some research to learn a little more about New Urbanism. (Some possible sources include Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream, by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck, and Walkable City by Jeff Speck.) Make a list of some of the key principles and ideas that form the basis of New Urbanism civic design—what does it have to say about “walkable” streets, about proximity of houses and shopping, about sidewalks and public spaces, and so on? Choose a town or neighborhood that you know and where you spend time (perhaps even your college campus), and make a proposal for a specific change to the public space of that town, neighborhood, or campus in keeping with the principles of New Urbanism. Make a case for the change that you are proposing. How would it enhance public life and make a public space work better for local residents, local businesses, and local governments? What are the possible challenges or problems that would have to be overcome in order to implement this change to public space?
