ESSAY #3
Expectations:
4-5 pages - 12 pt Times New Roman font - 1 inch margins
Texts for Essay #3
1-2 Primary and 1-2 Secondary Sources:
Choose ONE of the following shows/films:
1. The Social Network - 2010
2. Black Mirror: Nosedive - 2016
3. Ingrid Goes West - 2017
OPTIONAL Primary Source
1. Technolonely: Is Technology Curing Loneliness Or Causing It? - Sanat Rao
a. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2021/09/16/t echnolonely-is-technology-curing-loneliness-or-causing-it/
Writing Expectations: This is the first of two research papers you will be writing. This essay is asking you to take a position on the question posed in the writing prompt. You are being asked to develop and support your position through an analysis of the film/show you choose as well as through information and arguments from 2-3 secondary sources of your choosing. The goal is for you to learn to identify, evaluate, and synthesize sources that can be used to inform, build, and support your perspective on a work or theme.
Writing Prompt: The Social Network, Nosedive and Ingrid Goes West all explore how we relate to social media. The Social Network focuses on Mark Zuckerberg’s (fictional) motivations for starting Facebook as well as how he relates to the people in his life. Nosedive considers a hypothetical future where social media presence becomes a form of credit score which determines the quality of the characters lives. Ingrid Goes West examines the main character’s parasocial relationship she develops with someone she follows on Instagram. While fictional, these films/show touch on different aspects of how we as society relate positively and negatively to social media and the successes and failures of our attempts to seek connection with each other in the real world.
In Sanat Rao’s essay on technology, he asks the question: “Is technology curing loneliness or causing it?” In your essay, take a position in answering this question. Develop and support your position through an analysis of the film/show you choose as well as through information and arguments from 2-3 secondary sources of your choosing.
In your essay be sure to use quotes from the article and examples of film elements (that we went over in class) from the film to support your argument.
Important Notes:
● Do use quotes/analysis of film elements within EACH BODY paragraph
● Do not use one paragraph to analyze one text, EACH BODY paragraph should be considering the texts in conjunction/conversation with each other
● Your essay should make an analytical case for your argument, using the rhetorical strategies we have discussed in class
● Utilize the strategies we reviewed in class as well as our Library Day to find and evaluate quality, acceptable sources to use for your essay. Only sources approved by me may be used for this essay
Research Proposal:
● As this essay emphasizes research, your research proposal is an incredibly important component of this essay assignment. This is a required assignment and will contribute to your final grade.
● Write a research proposal in paragraph form of 500 words that includes answers to the following questions:
○ What topic have you chosen?
○ Why did you choose it? What about the topic interests you? What questions are you hoping to explore and answer in your essay?
○ Why is this topic important? If you were to tell someone about your essay, what would you say is the urgency of the topic you have chosen?
○ What aspects/direct quotes from the novel will you use as a foundation for your essay? Please cite specific examples/quotes
○ What sources are you looking at that may help support your essay? Include at least one link