Articles to read: “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr and “Smarter Than You Think: How technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better” by Clive Thompson

Argumentative Essay

Articles to read: “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr and “Smarter Than You Think: How technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better” by Clive Thompson

Purpose: to persuade your audience to reasonably consider your position. (An argument—your opinion)

Opinion: Technology is changing the way we think — in a positive way.

Potential thesis: In our modern times, computers are what runs the world. While some people believe computers are harming us, they are unable to see that without the technological advancements computers have made, society wouldn’t be prospering the way it is.

Paper Requirements: (**All drafts must include information from the article, using correct MLA documentation.**)
1. Thesis statement must be in the “topic + opinion + reason format” OR “topic + opinion format.” ***To help with organization, try putting your thesis statement as the last sentence in your introduction***
Hint: use similar words in the topic sentences of your body paragraphs as are in your thesis statement. It’ll help you focus and stay organized.
2. Length: 6 paragraphs (introduction, four+ body paragraphs, and the conclusion); each paragraph should have seven to ten sentences each. Your paper will be anywhere from 3-6 pages long.
3. Use transitions to glue your ideas together
4. *MLA documentation & formatting. (***This applies to THREE areas: your paper’s format, in-text citations, and the works cited page. See the MLA packet for help and any associated MLA handouts or PowerPoints.)
*–Quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing: use information from the article and to prove your thesis statement. Each time you mention an idea from the articles, you must put the author’s name and page in parenthesis at the end of the information like this: (Barry 542). If you fail to do this, you’ve committed unintentional plagiarism. IMPORTANT: right after you use information from the article, explain how that information relates to and proves your thesis. This is called analyzing. It’s very important as you’re learning to assert your academic voice, tone, and stance. You need to deeply explore what you quote, paraphrase, or summarize.
5. Classical or Rogerian Arrangement.
6. Use both articles to prove your argument.