Technology
Paper instructions:
This i Believe
Rubric Essay #1
Instructions:
The purpose of this essay is to write a 2-3 page personal story that illustrates an idea or principle you believe about technology. Your role is to share your own experience by writing in first person. For this paper to be meaningful, you must make it wholly your own. This short essay isn’t all you believe about technology; it’s simply a way to introduce others to something you value: something specific you believe about technology shared through a story. Consider your audience to be the public who reads and contributes to the “This i Believe” web page.
Here are the requirements for the essay:
• Remember to follow proper MLA format for your essay.
• Give your essay a title. Remember the title is supposed to help the essay set sail.
• Must include an Introduction, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusion. The essay is 650-975 words in length.
• Keep in mind that each paragraph will, on average, be 5-8 sentences in length.
• Tell a story: Be Specific. Include answers to these journalist questions: who was involved, who was affected, what happened, where, when, and why, what was learned, what was the effect, was it expected. Include a dramatic scene or two. Concentrate on details important to the narration and its significance. This is a more creative writing genre rather than persuasive or argumentative (sometimes thought of as “academic” writing). Be sure to write a story using details (see required reading: 5 skills for writing a personal narrative).
• Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell things you know that no one else does. Your story needs not to be heart-warming or gut wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your beliefs.
• Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief. Your core belief about technology should be written in a statement that composes your thesis. “I believe in technology” is a good lead in to your paper, but it is not a thesis. The thesis will be the answer to the “So What?” question.
• Be positive: Say what you do believe, not what you don’t believe.
• Be personal: Make your essay about you; speak in the first person. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Do not address the reader by asking questions or saying “you.” Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak.
• Avoid phrases like in my opinion and in conclusion. If you have stated these things in the right way then you will not need these wordings.
• Remember to save the final draft of the essay as a Word Document (.doc)
• Do not include any research or outside sources in this essay.