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Criteria for Essay #1
Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to enter into the conversation, via an academic essay, about the integration of artificial intelligence and other technology into our lives and society. Remember, your opinion will not be graded. You may think that artificial intelligence and modern technology is a positive or a negative part of our modern world. However, you will need to explore your own opinion about this topic using the readings from the current module over AI and Big Tech. Your essay will show a clear thesis regarding AI and/or technology usage in our modern world.
No matter your opinion, you will be supporting it with the articles in this module.
Skills: The assignment will support your skills that are critical in writing an academic essay. Using the source material (from our current module and textbook selection). Refer to the Essay Grading Rubric for specific grading criteria.
- Integrating writing skills from ENGL 1010
- crafting an effective thesis (your opinion stated in one sentence, without first person pronouns)
- integration of sources using MLA documentation
- see MLA section of A Writer’s Reference for a refresher of MLA works cited entries)
- MLA works cited page for sources used
- correct use of signal phrases, direct quotations, and paraphrases to integrate source information
- Using summary and critique from this module’s learning activities
- correct internal citations in MLA format
- Using critical thinking skills (critical thinking + critical reading[the texts over AI]=critical writing)
- utilizing feedback from writing tutor visit over rough draft of essay
- Editing and proofreading final draft
Knowledge: The assignment will help you to consider the future of technology and its impact on our personal and professional lives. In other words, you will gain more knowledge to help you form your own opinion about the intrusive nature of modern and future technology.
Task: Follow these steps to complete this essay.
1. Read the following links for articles involving AI
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- Read the following links for Database articles from our NSCC Library Database: These may require signing in with your NSCC A# and password
- Read the following selection from Monsters: A Bedford Spotlight Reader (e-textbook) found under Getting Started-Click Here to View: E-Textbook in your NSOnline course shell
- “Get Ready for the Dawn of Super Intelligence” by Nick Bostrom pages 114-117
2. Decide how you feel about artificial intelligence and other modern technology that may or may not be intruding on our lives. Other technologies that play off the ideas in this chapter that may help you create your essay:
- social media (algorithms that may/may not track our online activities)
- “Big Tech” a few technology companies that control a lot of our online and offline lives
- prevalence of online devices in our daily lives-work, school, and home
3. Craft your thesis using an answer to this rhetorical question:
- Do you feel that artificial intelligence and/or other aspects of modern technology control too much of our lives?
- feel free to “play” with this idea
- remember, the answer is ultimately your own opinion
4. Choose at least two articles from the articles in step 1 to use in support of your thesis
5. Use these two articles using correct MLA documentation in the essay and in your works cited page
- four in-text citations and a works cited page are required
- In-text citations: these come from your chosen articles. Use #1, #2, and #3 p. 164 in A Writer’s Reference for examples
- Works Cited Page: For Internet articles, you’ll use #12 b. Web on page 178 in A Writer’s Reference for an example. For the NSCC database articles, many of them have an MLA works cited entry on the article itself. However, you may also use #12 c. Database on page 178 of A Writer’s Reference. If you use any selections from our textbook Monsters: A Bedford Spotlight, please use #29 “One selection from an anthology or a collection” or #30 “Two or More selections from an anthology or a collection” on page 186 of A Writer’s Reference for proper examples.
6. Stay away from using first person pronouns (I, my). Stay away from second person pronouns (you) too. Instead, you will want to express your essay without saying phrases like:
- “In my opinion”
- “I think”
- “I feel”
- “When thinking about this topic, I”
7. Edit/proofread. Remember, your writing tutor visit should give you some insight into areas of improvement and areas of strengths of your previous rough draft. Revision is important in the writing process.
8. Submit the essay in the Assignment Drobox. Due at 11:59PM of the due date.
9. Finished Essay should be at least 900 words.
Criteria for Success
A successful essay:
- Meets basic requirements of the assignment
- Has met the minimum word count of 900 words
- Has been written by the student submitting the essay, for this class, and for this semester,
- Does not contain plagiarism of any kind
- Academic dishonesty is an offense of the NSCC Student Code of Conduct, punishable by a failing grade or zero
- Has a clear thesis, main ideas, and pattern of organization
- Has been carefully edited and proofread to minimize grammatical and other editing errors
- These can be remedied by editing and with Writing Tutor visits and peer reviewing
- Follows MLA style and guidelines (spacing, indent, margins, etc. )
The essay will be graded with the Grading Rubric for Essays. Please familiarize yourself with this rubric before you submit your essay. Here is the condensed version of the rubric:
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