HW NOV 24 outline

OUTLINE

Focus on paper: creating connections, improving memory, clarifying thinking.

1. Thompson's claim: The internet has enhanced the way we think, read, and write in the modern era today.

2. My own sub-claim: The internet/advancements of technology has enhanced the way we as  humans think, read, and write. The positive effect of the internet can improve memory as well creating a way for us to be connected with one another.  

3. Sources that will be used

a) Ulanoff, Lance. "Why Cant Johhny Write? Dont Blame Social Media." Mashable 4 May 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

b) Thompson, Clive. "Smarter Than You Think" Penguin Press 2013. Print. 9 Sept. 2014.

c) Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic Sept. 2008. Print. Nov. 2014.

d) Also a little bit of personal experience

4. I will be using Thompson's and Carr's sources to introduce the different views of how the internet effects the world today. Along with the use of Thompson's text, I will take claims from the "Why Cant Johnny Write?" article and points from my own personal experience to discuss how the internet effects us in a positive way by changing the way we read, think, and write. The focus of the final paper will discuss the clarification of thinking, the creation of connections of others, and the improvement of memory, all due to the effect of the advancement of technology/internet. 

HW NOV 21

Jelani Pritchard

Professor Werry

21 Nov. 2014

Anecdote

            The internet and technology that exists today is almost inevitable to any human being that attends school. The advancement of technology, claimed by both Thompson and Carr, has indeed affected the way an individual thinks, reads, or writes. Now whether it is more of a negative or positive effect on an individual can still be questioned; but it is safe to say that there is at least somewhat of both elements (positive/negative effect) that can alter one's mind. Personally, the internet has changed the way I work and receive information. Although it can be a distraction at times, the internet has become a useful tool. It can be used as a platform to connect with others socially and educationally. By connecting with others, there is more understanding in the how and whys of the world. Multiple minds can make change the world by sharing ideas and thoughts. Information can be absorbed in many different ways because of the accessibility to the internet, which serves as a platform for other's thoughts and ideas. Not only does the internet have individuals connect their minds with others, but it also has helped individuals to connect with themselves; enhancing our own cognitive thinking, writing, and reading skills. We now tend to read or look for the information that will either appeal to or help us. It can be questioned that this method may be a negative influence by the internet, making us humans 'lazy' or drift away from focusing on a full length of text, but it also can be argued that it could be a more efficient way to absorb information.

            Thompson and Carr both believe the internet/the advancements of technology has affected the world's way of thinking, writing, and reading. Carr claims that the internet has become a distraction causing us to lose focus/concentration and is possibly making us 'stupid'. Thompson however, presents a strong claim that the internet has been a useful tool that enhances our abilities and skill set. The world today needs the internet and has made it a useful tool. Without it, it is hard for many individuals to succeed and expand globally. It is a platform for networking and connecting with others. The connection an individual has with another will improve the way we share ideas and thoughts. Thoughts and ideas that can be used to help create solutions to the problems we have in the world. The way we read and write has been altered for the better. Thompson presents a persuasive argument that the internet/the advancement of technology has bettered individuals globally.  

11-19-14 summaries

Matthew Zipagan, Tatiana Lai Jelani, Pritchard

Professor Werry

RWS100, Section 24

November 17, 2014

Summary of “What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades?” By Maria Konnokova

            In the article, “What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades?”, Maria Konnokova discusses how writing effectively creates more brain activity than typing on a keyboard. As children learn how to write and continue to write, they gain the skills of reading faster, generating ideas, and also retaining information. Konnokova includes a study in her article that dealt with children and writing. Children who wrote free-handedly experiencedincreased activity in three parts of their brain andchildren who typed on a keyboard or connected the dots showed little activity within the brain. Konnokova also argues that the way we write, whether it’s print or cursive, can also have a great benefit on our brains. Konnokava’s article connects to Carr’s text because she favors writing instead of using the technology. Konnokova wants her audience to know that there are more benefits when writing rather than typing away on a keyboard.   

           

Summary of “Why Can’t Johnny Write? Don’t Blame Social Media”

In the article, "Why Can't Johnny Write? Don't Blame Social Media," Lance Ulanoff discusses how social media may actually have no negative effect on the writing skills of teens. Ulanoff uses an expert on prose, Ethna Dempsey Lay (Hofstra University Assistant Professor of Writing Studies and Composition) to help claim that social media can actually be a different way individuals are able to write. It is claimed that social media can be used to express one's self differently and can be used effectively. Ulanoff also uses examples from Lay's own teaching methods through Twitter, showing that social media can be used as a platform to write and communicate with others more. Ulanoff also conducts an experiment on Twitter to see how well others are able to write in 140 characters or less. This article connects with both Thompson and Carr on how technology/internet can affect the way we read or write. Through the Twitter experiment Ulanoff used and how Thompson used the Vanderbilt experiment in his text , they are both able to show the audience how technology may not indeed negatively affect an individual's skills. Although Carr's argument is how the internet may negatively effects us, Thompson and Ulanoff both write that the technological advancements does not necessarily do so.  

FINAL DRAFT 3RD PAPER (Nov 17)

Jelani Pritchard

Professor Werry

17  Nov. 2014

Is da Internet making me stoopid?

             Research and several studies show that in the United States..[*stops reading*]. And that is when we usually stop or want to stop reading a text in today's era. Nicholas Carr, who is a writer for The Atlantic discusses how the internet has negatively affected the way we read, write, and think in his article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" In his text, which was ironically dreadful to read through, discusses the aspects of how the internet has negatively altered our ways of reading and writing. Carr questions if the internet has made us stupid enough to the point where we can't even get through a full text of reading without wanting to give up on it because of the lack of interest we have. Carr also claims that the world wide web has tweaked his methods of writing. With a few searches on Google, information is quickly found right under your finger tips. Writing papers or researching studies has evolved with the help of the internet, while the old method that once required stacks of print and hours at the library has seem to drifted off along with the wind. In this text Carr uses multiple credible sources that he calls 'literary-types' who gives input on the internet and its influences on readers and writers. Carr argues that as a literary-type, he and others have trouble staying focused reading an article or text the more they use the web. In this day and age, our generation has grew up with technology that helps advances education. It is important for us to understand whether or not if the technology, particularly the internet, is a negative influence on our reading, writing, and thinking skills or not. Carr does make favorable arguments, but there are also flaws in his text. In this paper I will discuss how Carr presents his argument to the audience by analyzing strategies he uses.

             In the article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Carr, uses several strategies to help support his argument and persuade his audience. One strategy Carr uses well throughout the text was his use of Ethos. Using multiple experiences and information from individuals who all seem to be credible literary-types, Carr tries to point out the effects of the internet and how they can alter brain activity and focus. A literary-type, Bruce Friedman, who  regularly blogs about the use of technology in medicine, gave his insight on how the way he reads and works has been affected by the internet.  Friedman states that he "has almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or in print" (59). Having credentials such as a graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School and who is now a pathologist, Friedman is a prime example of how Carr uses Ethos to help support his argument. By using multiple credible individuals in his text, Carr is able to build his credibility and trustworthiness throughout his text.  This strategy works by introducing and presenting a notable individual to his audience to reassure them that it is not just a random individual off the streets who blogs on his iPhone. He uses this specific strategy to show that even high authorities or an individual with high credentials can also be victims of how the internet effects focus. Friedman even explains how he is unable to read the classic novel of War and Peace or even a couple of paragraphs on a blog post because it is "too much to absorb." With the internet making work and reading "easier', it may have flawed the human brain to look for the easy way out. Brain activity is now altered for the human to absorb information they will only be useful or beneficial to them. Carr uses the strategy of Ethos fairly well. From computer scientists to corporations such as Google, he presents multiple credible sources that help him with his claim. Convincing readers that the internet can change the way you take in or even have the ability to absorb information from a text, Carr proves that the strategy of Ethos is effective. Although effective, Carr may have several flaws in the way he uses this strategy. He does indeed provide very credible individuals, but they are all literary-types, just like him. Using experiences and information from literary types may seem a little biased considering the fact that the whole argument is about how the internet effects the way us humans read, obtain knowledge, and sometimes write. Carr should probably look into using individuals who has a different perspective than he and his literary-types do. They may even say that the internet is actually helping the way we work by providing a more efficient way to complete tasks or texts. Nonetheless, Carr still uses Ethos in an effective way to  support his argument. 

            Nicholas Carr also uses the strategy of exemplification. With credible sources established and introduced, he uses examples from others to help illustrate and illuminate his argument. Examples from history has been presented various times throughout the text. Carr compares how new technology back then affected individuals to how the new technology we have here today affects us. According to Carr, Alan Turing, a British mathematician, proved that the digital computer (which at the time of 1936 only existed to be a theoretical machine) "could be programmed to perform the function of any other information-processing device (61). He then discusses how the computer has evolved to not only provide information on the internet, but also become a radio, a map, a television, type writer, a printing press, and even a calculator. Now with the technological advancements, the internet can work in a very versatile way. He claims that the net has now become a domain of distraction, scattering our attention span and diffuse our concentration. HIs use in using historical examples also partly contributes into the strategy of compare and contrast. This influences the audience to believe that even in history, the theoretical idea of the computer may become more than an information-processing machine that may force or allow individuals to lose focus and attention easily. Carr's uses of exemplification was very effective to help support his claim.

            Carr not only explains how the internet can alter the way we focus, write, or read through examples and credible sources, but he also does so by connecting with the audience. Throughout the whole texts, he uses pronouns, such as; we, us, and you to make it clear that the internet does not only effect him and his literary-types but of all us together. He claims that we should be skeptical of his skepticism because of our love for the internet and even admits that perhaps some people that believe that the internet will prosper and help our world intellectually. But he also rebuts his statement, saying that because of the internet and how it can distract us, the loss of deep reading from printed pages causes us to lose focus and lack deep thinking. For the most part in the beginning of his texts, he refers to himself along with his literary-types more than the audience. He starts out strongly to show the audience how the net can affect how they are unable to absorb information the way they used to. But Carr later, makes it clear that it the new technology/internet is part of our world today and that is is important that we must start thinking about how we really obtain information from the web. The question of us really losing focus, us lacking the ability to think deeply, or even write effectively because of the internet may all be asked after Carr's argument. And that's what makes Carr fairly effective in his text. Carr was successful in making sure that the audience is engaged towards the end to clarify that we are all effected by the internet.  

            In today's day and age, the internet has become a tool that plays a major role in  technological advancements and arguably humans as well. Carr, on the other hand believes that the internet has become a distraction for people. Literary types such as himself are unable to focus and they blame the internet for that. Carr uses multiple strategies throughout the text to connect with readers by using examples and usses experiences and testimonies from credible sources to help his claim of how the internet may possibly be making us stupid. His text revealed several points that make great arguments in how the internet is negatively affecting us.. Carr uses Bruce Friedman's experience of his inability to read the novel of War and Peace to show that the internet has affected him and his focus on reading. Although the internet has helped us in many ways, almost becoming the universal tool of the world, it has negatively affected individuals. Just like Carr and his literary types, it has personally alter the way I have researched and read material. The invention of the car has become a huge advancement in the human race; although used as an efficient way to travel and get to places has it made us lazy? The internet is similar in that sense. It has become a tool that has advanced humans globally, but may have individuals question if it has become a distraction from reality. Making us stupid. 

updated draft nov 10

Jelani Prtchard

Professor Werry

6 Nov. 2014

Draft

             Research and several studies show that in the United States..[*stops reading*]. And that is when we usually stop or want to stop reading a text in today's era. Nicholas Carr, who is a writer for The Atlantic discusses how the internet has negatively affected the way we read, write, and think in his article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" In his text, which was ironically dreadful to read through, discusses the aspects of how the internet has negatively altered our ways of reading and writing. Carr questions if the internet has made us stupid enough to the point where we can't even get through a full text of reading without wanting to give up on it because of the lack of interest we have. Carr also claims that the world wide web has tweaked his methods of writing. With a few searches on Google, information is quickly found right under your finger tips. Writing papers or researching studies has evolved with the help of the internet, while the old method that once required stacks of print and hours at the library has seem to drifted off along with the wind. In this text Carr uses multiple credible sources that he calls 'literary-types' who gives input on the internet and its influences on readers and writers. Carr argues that as a literary-type, he and others have trouble staying focused reading an article or text the more they use the web. In this day and age, our generation has grew up with technology that helps advances education. It is important for us to understand whether or not if the technology, particularly the internet, is a negative influence on our reading, writing, and thinking skills or not. Carr does make favorable arguments, but there are also flaws in his text. In this paper I will discuss how Carr presents his argument to the audience by analyzing strategies he uses.

             In the article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Carr, uses several strategies to help support his argument and persuade his audience. One strategy Carr uses well throughout the text was his use of Ethos. Using multiple experiences and information from individuals who all seem to be credible literary-types, Carr tries to point out the effects of the internet and how they can alter brain activity and focus. A literary-type, Bruce Friedman, who  regularly blogs about the use of technology in medicine, gave his insight on how the way he reads and works has been affected by the internet.  Friedman states that he "has almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or in print" (59). Having credentials such as a graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School and who is now a pathologist, Friedman is a prime example of how Carr uses Ethos to help support his argument. By using multiple credible individuals in his text, Carr is able to build his credibility and trustworthiness throughout his text.  This strategy works by introducing and presenting a notable individual to his audience to reassure them that it is not just a random individual off the streets who blogs on his iPhone. He uses this specific strategy to show that even high authorities or an individual with high credentials can also be victims of how the internet effects focus. Friedman even explains how he is unable to read the classic novel of War and Peace or even a couple of paragraphs on a blog post because it is "too much to absorb." With the internet making work and reading "easier', it may have flawed the human brain to look for the easy way out. Brain activity is now altered for the human to absorb information they will only be useful or beneficial to them. Carr uses the strategy of Ethos fairly well. From computer scientists to corporations such as Google, he presents multiple credible sources that help him with his claim. Convincing readers that the internet can change the way you take in or even have the ability to absorb information from a text, Carr proves that the strategy of Ethos is effective. Although effective, Carr may have several flaws in the way he uses this strategy. He does indeed provide very credible individuals, but they are all literary-types, just like him. Using experiences and information from literary types may seem a little biased considering the fact that the whole argument is about how the internet effects the way us humans read, obtain knowledge, and sometimes write. Carr should probably look into using individuals who has a different perspective than he and his literary-types do. They may even say that the internet is actually helping the way we work by providing a more efficient way to complete tasks or texts. Nonetheless, Carr still uses Ethos in an effective way to  support his argument. 

            Nicholas Carr also uses the strategy of exemplification. With credible sources established and introduced, he uses examples from others to help illustrate and illuminate his argument. Examples from history has been presented various times throughout the text. Carr compares how new technology back then affected individuals to how the new technology we have here today affects us. According to Carr, Alan Turing, a British mathematician, proved that the digital computer (which at the time of 1936 only existed to be a theoretical machine) "could be programmed to perform the function of any other information-processing device (61). He then discusses how the computer has evolved to not only provide information on the internet, but also become a radio, a map, a television, type writer, a printing press, and even a calculator. Now with the technological advancements, the internet can work in a very versatile way. He claims that the net has now become a domain of distraction, scattering our attention span and diffuse our concentration. HIs use in using historical examples also partly contributes into the strategy of compare and contrast. This influences the audience to believe that even in history, the theoretical idea of the computer may become more than an information-processing machine that may force or allow individuals to lose focus and attention easily. Carr's uses of exemplification was very effective to help support his claim.

            Carr not only explains how the internet can alter the way we focus, write, or read through examples and credible sources, but he also does so by connecting with the audience. Throughout the whole texts, he uses pronouns, such as; we, us, and you to make it clear that the internet does not only effect him and his literary-types but of all us together. He claims that we should be skeptical of his skepticism because of our love for the internet and even admits that perhaps some people that believe that the internet will prosper and help our world intellectually. But he also rebuts his statement, saying that because of the internet and how it can distract us, the loss of deep reading from printed pages causes us to lose focus and lack deep thinking. For the most part in the beginning of his texts, he refers to himself along with his literary-types more than the audience. He starts out strongly to show the audience how the net can affect how they are unable to absorb information the way they used to. But Carr later, makes it clear that it the new technology/internet is part of our world today and that is is important that we must start thinking about how we really obtain information from the web. The question of us really losing focus, us lacking the ability to think deeply, or even write effectively because of the internet may all be asked after Carr's argument. And that's what makes Carr fairly effective in his text. Carr was successful in making sure that the audience is engaged towards the end to clarify tht we are all effected by the internet.  

NOV 7 UPDATED DRAFT

Jelani Prtchard

Professor Werry

6 Nov. 2014

Draft

             Research and several studies show that in the United States..[*stops reading*]. And that is when we usually stop or want to stop reading a text in today's era. Nicholas Carr, who is a writer for The Atlantic discusses how the internet has negatively affected the way we read, write, and think in his article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" In his text, which was ironically dreadful to read through, discusses the aspects of how the internet has negatively altered our ways of reading and writing. Carr questions if the internet has made us stupid enough to the point where we can't even get through a full text of reading without wanting to give up on it because of the lack of interest we have. Carr also claims that the world wide web has tweaked his methods of writing. With a few searches on Google, information is quickly found right under your finger tips. Writing papers or researching studies has evolved with the help of the internet, while the old method that once required stacks of print and hours at the library has seem to drifted off along with the wind. In this text Carr uses multiple credible sources that he calls 'literary-types' who gives input on the internet and its influences on readers and writers. Carr argues that as a literary-type, he and others have trouble staying focused reading an article or text the more they use the web. In this day and age, our generation has grew up with technology that helps advances education. It is important for us to understand whether or not if the technology, particularly the internet, is a negative influence on our reading, writing, and thinking skills or not. Carr does make favorable arguments, but there are also flaws in his text. In this paper I will discuss how Carr presents his argument to the audience by analyzing strategies he uses.

             In the article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Carr, uses several strategies to help support his argument and persuade his audience. One strategy Carr uses well throughout the text was his use of Ethos. Using multiple experiences and information from individuals who all seem to be credible literary-types, Carr tries to point out the effects of the internet and how they can alter brain activity and focus. A literary-type, Bruce Friedman, who  regularly blogs about the use of technology in medicine, gave his insight on how the way he reads and works has been affected by the internet.  Friedman states that he "has almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or in print" (59). Having credentials such as a graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School and who is now a pathologist, Friedman is a prime example of how Carr uses Ethos to help support his argument. By using multiple credible individuals in his text, Carr is able to build his credibility and trustworthiness throughout his text.  This strategy works by introducing and presenting a notable individual to his audience to reassure them that it is not just a random individual off the streets who blogs on his iPhone. He uses this specific strategy to show that even high authorities or an individual with high credentials can also be victims of how the internet effects focus. Friedman even explains how he is unable to read the classic novel of War and Peace or even a couple of paragraphs on a blog post because it is "too much to absorb." With the internet making work and reading "easier', it may have flawed the human brain to look for the easy way out. Brain activity is now altered for the human to absorb information they will only be useful or beneficial to them. Carr uses the strategy of Ethos fairly well. From computer scientists to corporations such as Google, he presents multiple credible sources that help him with his claim. Convincing readers that the internet can change the way you take in or even have the ability to absorb information from a text, Carr proves that the strategy of Ethos is effective. Although effective, Carr may have several flaws in the way he uses this strategy. He does indeed provide very credible individuals, but they are all literary-types, just like him. Using experiences and information from literary types may seem a little biased considering the fact that the whole argument is about how the internet effects the way us humans read, obtain knowledge, and sometimes write. Carr should probably look into using individuals who has a different perspective than he and his literary-types do. They may even say that the internet is actually helping the way we work by providing a more efficient way to complete tasks or texts. Nonetheless, Carr still uses Ethos in an effective way to  support his argument. 

            Nicholas Carr also uses the strategy of exemplification. With credible sources established and introduced, he uses examples from others to help illustrate and illuminate his argument. Examples of the past has been presented various times throughout the text. Carr compares how new technology back then affected individuals to how the new technology we have here today affects us. According to Carr, Alan Turing, a British mathematician, proved that the digital computer (which at the time of 1936 only existed to be a theoretical machine) "could be programmed to perform the function of any other information-processing device (61). He then discusses how the computer has evolved to not only provide information on the internet, but also become a radio, a map, a television, type writer, a printing press, and even a calculator. Now with the technological advancements, the internet can work in a very versatile way. He claims that the net has now become a domain of distraction, scattering our attention span and diffuse our concentration.    

Nov 5th Draft (just the intro, body paragraphs will be posted later)

Jelani Prtchard

Professor Werry

6 Nov. 2014

Draft

             Research and several studies show that in the United States..[*stops reading*]. And that is when we usually stop or want to stop reading a text in today's era. Nicholas Carr, who is a writer for The Atlantic discusses how the internet has negatively affected the way we read, write, and think in his article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" In his text, which was ironically dreadful to read through, discusses the aspects of how the internet has negatively altered our ways of reading and writing. Carr questions if the internet has made us stupid enough to the point where we can't even get through a full text of reading without wanting to give up on it because of the lack of interest we have. Carr also claims that the world wide web has tweaked his methods of writing. With a few searches on Google, information is quickly found right under your finger tips. Writing papers or researching studies has evolved with the help of the internet, while the old method that once required stacks of print and hours at the library has seem to drifted off along with the wind. In this text Carr uses multiple credible sources that he calls 'literary-types' who gives input on the internet and its influences on readers and writers. Carr argues that as a literary-type, he and others have trouble staying focused reading an article or text the more they use the web. In this day and age, our generation has grew up with technology that helps advances education. It is important for us to understand whether or not if the technology, particularly the internet, is a negative influence on our reading, writing, and thinking skills or not. Carr does make favorable arguments, but there are also flaws in his text. In this paper I will discuss how Carr presents his argument to the audience by analyzing strategies he uses.