Note: Please read EVERYTHING here carefully! Students who follow directions get much better grades! If anything is confusing please let me know, but be as specific as possible in your email so that I can answer your questions.
Reading/Listening:
How your relationships affect your healthLinks to an external site.
Why Americans Stopped Hanging Out – Why it’s ImportantLinks to an external site.
Note: you can also reference “We Have Become a Lonely Nation” (note connections between what he’s saying and the other 2 sources).
Goal: to write a 5-paragraph, 3-4 page paper
Topic: In Derek Thompson’s interview with Sociologist Eric Klinenberg they discuss “Why Americans Stopped Hanging Out -Why it’s Important” [notice that this is a Signal Phrase introducing the source author and title – you need to introduce sources this way in your essay] [also note that the podcast should be the focus of your essay – use the other source/s for support]. Last week we read U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H Murthy’s depiction of the “epidemic of loneliness” in the U.S.. Additionally (see above), Julie Suttie’s recent piece for The Greater Good: The Science of Happiness website highlights Kasley Killam’s new book The Art and Science of Connection [note that website and book title’s are italicized while article/interview titles go in quotes, no italics] which emphasizes the importance of social connections to physical and emotional health [note that the interview and Murthy’s “call to action” also emphasize this]. In your Works Cited cite Suttie’s article not the book.
In your essay, use the sources and your own observations to introduce the U.S. cultural phenomenon discussed in the sources above. What is the subject they are all discussing/concerned about? Why is it important? Then create a well-developed thesis which states your perspective on the subject based on what you’ve read and your own experiences and observations. DO NOT use 2nd person (you/your) in the essay. Watch the video “Get the you outta there” (see link in Week 2 Module) for ways to replace 2nd person.
Sample thesis: Murthy, Thompson, Klinenberg and Suttie all seem to agree, based on research and study, that in-person/public social life has considerably diminished in the U.S. and note correlations between that and the rise in mental and physical health issues. My experience corroborates this, and I agree that we need to push for the development of more social infrastructure and self-regulation of our social media use.
NOTE: You will only use the sources above and your personal experiences/observations in this paper. No outside sources please!
Essay Parts (5 paragraphs, 3-4 pages)
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- Introduction that explains the essay subject and introduces the sources (a minimum of 2 – you must use the podcast ) you are using with full Signal Phrases
- A clear and well-developed thesis statement at the end of introduction, and clear and thoughtful topic sentences at the beginning of each body paragraph that support the thesis. Note: Do not start paragraphs with a source. It’s your essay and you are in charge of directing the reader.
- Analysis of how, according to the sources, this phenomenon developed – causes and effects (you must use direct quotes from sources for support)
- Explanation of the different concerns (lack of social infrastructure for example) around the issue (must refer to/use sources/offer good direct quotes/points from sources for support)
- Reflection on what you think based on the readings/podcast and your experiences and observations on the subject
- Conclusion – use sources to help you draw conclusions about the topic. Be future-orientated. Do you/the authors think social life will become more important? That social infrastucture will improve? Social life will be different ? Or that things will continue to become less social, face-to-face oriented?
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Why This Matters to Research Writing: The skills you learn while writing this essay will pay off when you write the research essay during the second half of the semester. It’s important to be able to connect to the topic you are researching and know what is at stake for yourself and others. It’s also important to be able to synthesize others’ ideas with your own [remember that sources/authors have often done considerable research on these subjects, so don’t simply dismiss them just because you don’t agree. Lastly, this is a chance to practice source incorporation and citation. Use the resources for help getting that correct, especially if you aren’t very familiar with MLA Guidelines.
Logistics:
- 3-4 pages, double-spaced (not counting works cited page)
- 5 paragraphs
- MLA format for page set-up (see Week 1 Resources – OWL Purdue MLA) MLA FormattingLinks to an external site.
Rubric (100 points):
Clear thesis and topic sentences: /5
(Thesis clearly synthesizes all parts of the paper into a single main idea at end of introduction paragraph; topic sentences – typically at the beginning of each paragraph – introduce content of paragraphs, maintain focus of thesis, and help the reader transition through the paper)
Introduction (Paragraph 1): /15
(Introduces subject of diminishing social life/isolation in the US, especially among young people, introduces sources with full Signal Phrases – authors’ full names, source title and what the source is about first time introducing; just last name/s after that to credit source- and ends in thesis)
Analysis (Paragraph 2): /15
(Analyzes phenonomenon as explained by sources – must include a topic sentence [of your making], direct source quotes from sources that are cited and analysis)
(Explanation Paragraph 3): /15
(Explains what you learned about why this issue is important/of concern – must include a topic sentence [of your making], direct source quotes from sources that are cited in MLA and clear explanations
(Reflection Paragraph 4): /15
(Explains what you think about this phenomenon based on what you’ve understood/learned from sources as well as your own reflections on the subject)
Conclusion (Paragraph 5): /5
(summarizes main points of paper; explains why these ideas [yours and the sources] are important, especially for future generations; considers ways to address the issues – refer to authors’ suggestions for improving social life and offer your ideas)
Citations: /10
(Includes a signal phrase with source’s name before each summary, paraphrase, or quotation from the video)
Works Cited Page: /10
(Last page of essay; accurately cites using MLA formatting rules)
Editing/Length: /10
(Uses proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar; 3-4 full pages, not counting works cited page
Due Dates:
Works Cited due Sunday, October 13 by 11:59 pm
Brainstorm/Outline/Notes due Sunday, October 13 by 11:59
Essay 1 due Sunday, October 20 by 11:59 pm