Overview
During this unit, we will talk about the Research genre. We will research methods, the necessity of evaluating sources, and the value of an annotated bibliography and literature review.
Purpose
The purpose of this project will be to research a topic related to your major/career field or an issue in which you are interested. You will then take a stance on that issue. Please note that “taking a stance” does not mean that you are arguing for or against something. Rather, you are going to enter into the academic conversation and argue a point related to that topic. After researching your topic and taking a stand on the issue, you will communicate that to me and your peers through writing. By doing this, you will become more immersed in your chosen academic field. You will become more familiar with the process of researching and skilled at arguing your position. You will apply the critical thinking and logical reasoning skills we have discussed throughout the semester. You will implement naysayers into your essay in order to strengthen your stance. You will use multiple outside sources to explain the conversation, present a particular perspective, and support or argue your position. These skills are among those you will take to your future classes. As you pursue your degree, you will be required to not only take a stance on an issue within your discipline, you must also be able to effectively argue that position. This assignment will give you the opportunity to master those skills.
Assignment
For this project, you are to use critical thinking and logical reasoning to argue a position within your discipline or a discipline in which you are interested. To adequately accomplish this assignment, you must be familiar with the current issues and theories within your major (of other field of interest). You need to apply some of the theories/topics (fallacies, conspiracy theories, environment) that we discussed in class. You will read and researched general information about a topic within your field. Then, you are to take a stance on an issue. But in order to do so, you must approach this assignment with a sense of Inquiry. You will need to have a question in mind about your topic. By starting with a sense of Inquiry, you begin the journey of discovery. Your research will allow you to arrive at a position and give you the proper tools to support that stance.
Tasks
• The first thing you will need to do is decide on a topic.
• After you’ve chosen your topic, you must form an inquiry question. Reflect on thesis development. Remember a good thesis begins with a question. What questions do you have about your topic? As you think about this question, consider how you can narrow it down so that you maintain a tightly focused topic throughout your paper.
• If you have not done so already, do a general search of your topic. Reflect on the guidance and suggestions the library folks gave us when they visited our class.
• You will need to continue conducting research and choose 8 articles (at least 4 must be peer reviewed) you think can contribute to your essay. Keep organized notes of these articles (Triple Entry Journals or Two-Step Summaries, for example). Do not forget to write down page numbers for quotes you like! Detailed notes will make it easier for you to find these sources later when you are writing your essay.
• As you discuss those sources in your essay, you will need to make sure you locate any reasoning or argument flaws to not only support your own argument but to also demonstrate your critical thinking abilities.
Intro thus far:
Post-COVID Phone Addiction
“BZZZZ BZZZZ” When is the last time you went a full day without burying your face within your phone’s screen? Phones have evolved in the last twenty years, and as of recent years cellphones have become a staple necessity in everyday life. It is so easy today to get caught constantly scrolling on apps like Instagram and Tik Tok or get distracted by the constant notifications from friends texting you on Snapchat . When the pandemic started in March of 2020, there was little knowledge on when or how soon the pandemic would end. During this period of isolation, connecting with friends in personal and face to face ways became very difficult due to fear and unknown effects of COVID-19. Many people found ways to offset this sudden change with increased cell phone use. A study conducted in 2023 found a large jump in cell phone use during the pandemic, “There was a higher percentage of participants on phones for 4 or more hours a day: 51.7% during the pandemic versus 34.9% before” (Voss). While it is true that isolation may have been the reason for these jump in numbers it is important to see how after the pandemic we have continued to be addicted to our cell phones. This paper argues that the increase in smartphone usage post-COVID has led to a significantly negative impact on social and mental health issues, it highlights the need for change before these effects progress too far.
Thesis Statement:This paper argues that the increase in smartphone usage post-COVID has led to a significantly negative impact on social and mental health issues, it highlights the need for change before these effects progress too far.
Thesis Question:How has increased cell phone use affected individuals mental health post-COVID?
You can change any of this but it is a great starting point and what I will be defending in my paper.