November 5, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work

Today we will be visiting the virtual art gallery! You are the docents and will share what you see in art that relates to the technological wonder of your choice.

As visitors to the gallery, you will need to take a few notes. You may use paper or you may create a Word document and print the final copy.
A. Record the name of the piece of art.
B. Briefly summarize what the "docent" said about the art and the technology.
C. Share if you agree or disagree with the docent about the virtues or vices of the technology.

1. What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?
2. What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?
3. Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.
4. Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?
5. Who is the artist? When was the work created? Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? What was going on in the world when the work was created? Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.
6. How does the work relate to us in 21st century America?
7. How is the art different from or similar to the object you selected?

You are now ready to start writing. Take a look at the directions.

 

Technology – Friend or Foe?

For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.

I.                    Introduction –

a.       Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, video games, etc.

b.      Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.

c.       In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear! (Some of you may be taking a creative approach. See me if this is the case.)

II.                  The body of the paper will do several things –

a.       Convince the reader that they either need or do not need the technology.

b.      Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?

c.       Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from at least four of the following:

                                                               i.      At least three experts/sources. You may use the articles studied in class and articles that specifically relate to your chosen technology.

                                                             ii.      A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.

                                                            iii.      An interview with at least one user.

                                                           iv.      A personal anecdote.

                                                             v.      Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. “There Will Come Soft Rains”  and “The Veldt” were studied in class. You may use other SciFi literature.

                                                           vi.      A work of art

                                                          vii.      Strong statistics from an expert source.

The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.

III.                Conclusion –

Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:

a.       Convenience

b.      Cost

c.       Safety

d.      Environmental impact

e.      Impact on society

 

Homework: Begin by jotting down notes based on the information you already have. For example, what information do you already have that relates to the safety of the technology? Have you decided how to introduce the technology? Do you know the history? Have you talked to other "users" of the technology? By taking an inventory of what you already have, you can tell what research you still need to do.

Once you have completed your inventory, start your draft. Post the inventory and the introduction of your essay in CANVAS by the beginning of class on Tuesday, November 10, 2015.