Readings: Rules for Writers “Writing Papers MLA Style” pp. 457-532. Essay 2: The Internet and its Cultural Significance Length: 3-4 pages Weight: 15% of course grade Rough Draft Due: March 13, by midnight, California time. Remember to submit a draft to me, and to your partner, and submit a proposal just to me. Your comments are due, to your partner and to me, March 15, by midnight, California time. Final Draft Due: October 17, by midnight, California time Background In this unit, we are discussing the impact and significance of the internet and its proliferation. We will be reading essays that analyze specific effects of the internet as well as. As before, we are treating our subjects, the internet and its various websites, as signs of a larger issue, trend, or philosophy in modern US culture. Your Task As you consider the shows with which you are familiar, write an essay in which you discuss ONE website, social network or otherwise, analyzing it semiotically and exploring its cultural significance. As explained in our textbook, your goal here is not merely to describe or discuss this site, but to pick a site that is culturally significant and argue your opinion as to the significance it holds. As before, you must present a clear thesis and argue it consistently by using evidence. In this essay you will use the series, your thinking about it and at least ONE source from Signs Of Life. Process Tips Start by asking yourself some questions about the sites with which you are familiar: Which seem meaningful to you and why? Does this site engage you? Why or why not? Whichever reaction you have to this site, analyze the reaction and try to understand why you have it. Also, skim ahead in our readings to get an idea about what other people are saying about your ideas, or other sites. Write down your ideas (remember the pre-writing activities explained by Hacker). Work out a tentative thesis and start asking analytical questions of your ideas in order to develop them as evidence. Questions?—Please Ask!! Essay 2 Peer Review guidelines Here are some guidelines for review: As you read each other’s draft, write your comments on it. Write things that seem strong to you about the essay; write questions where things are not clear; mark what you think is the thesis and important pieces of evidence; mark strong sentences and confusing ones. Your job is to help your partner write the strongest paper possible. You should point things out and ask questions, but do not rewrite the paper, or fix grammar issues. Use the list below to keep the following things in mind. -Is the thesis clear? If you can paraphrase it back to the author, that’s a good sign. If you cannot, the author needs to work on it some more. -Is the thesis arguable? If not, what's missing? -Is the thesis supported by evidence from the readings? Are they cited appropriately? If not, point it out. -Does the essay have a clear introduction paragraph? Does it include the thesis? If not, point it out. -Does the essay have a clear conclusion paragraph? Does it use one of the strategies for writing strong conclusions? If not, point it out. -Does the author explore the cultural significance of the things he/she describes? If not, ask questions to help the author. -Does the essay have a title? It should -Does the essay answer the assignment? Take a look at the assignment sheet before you answer this. -What is strongest about the essay? -What needs more work? -Is the essay free of typo/grammar confusions? If there are confusions, point them out but don’t fix them -What questions do you have for the author? Essay Proposal Introduction: While we all know that advertisements are all around us, many of us never pause to think what advertisements might say about us as a culture. On the face of it, ads present us with products or services we are to buy. A closer look, however, also reveals insight into the desires, or fears, of consumers. That is, we want to buy a certain product both because we desire the product and because we desire some association with the product, or some fear which we think the product can eliminate. In the Breakfast cereal ad I chose, the advertisers are selling more than granola, they are selling Americans’ desire for a healthier lifestyle. Thesis: In the Breakfast cereal ad I chose, the advertisers are selling more than granola, they are selling Americans’ desire for a healthier lifestyle. Outline: 1. Introduction 2. The model in the ad. He is a fit-looking man in work-out clothes. 3. The setting. The background is a room with exercise machine 4. The text in the ad. It points out the healthy ingredients of the cereal 5. The American Medical Association logo, which helps strengthen the connection between the cereal and health. 6. The colors. Green is associated with calm and connects the cereal, health, and lack of stress. Conclusion: The ad’s strategy makes clear that American consumers are concerned with their health and desire a healthy lifestyle. While there are many reasons for this concern, I think it’s because we all have busy, hectic lives that do not allow time for exercise. A healthy cereal may help this situation, but it won’t fix it.
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