Writing Assignment #2: Cause-Effect Analysis
Writing assignment #2 will be an essay in which you analyze either causes or effects. You have two choices for this essay, both of which are very wide open. For both choices, you are required to integrate two sources into your essay to support your argument.
Technology and Education
Analyze the effects of a particular trend in educational technology.
Our discussions in the class up to this point might be helpful for you as you consider ideas for this topic.
You might analyze any one of the following. These are just examples. Many approaches are possible for this topic.
The potential effects of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in higher education. You might focus on a particular field of study for this choice.
The effects of online courses on education. You might focus on a particular field of study for this choice.
The effects of using digital media in online courses
The effects of computer use in writing courses or courses in other disciplines
The effects of certain forms of technology on reading skills or reading habits
The potential effects of video games being introduced into schools and used to help educate students
You must use at least two sources to support your points in this essay. You will cite your sources in APA style, using both in-text citations and a “References†page at the end of the essay.
Some interesting articles that might give you ideas for this essay, and that you could use for one or two of your sources, are the following:
Clive Thompson, “The New Literacyâ€
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-09/st_thompson
Cynthia Haven, “The New Literacy: Stanford study finds richness and complexity in students’ writing“
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/october12/lunsford-writing-research-101209.html
John Sutherland, “Cn u txt?â€
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2002/nov/11/mobilephones2
Michael Agger, “Lazy Eyesâ€
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/the_browser/2008/06/lazy_eyes.html
If you choose this topic, you may write on the same topic for writing assignment #3, the research-supported essay. If you write on this topic for both writing assignment #2 and writing assignment #3, you will be expanding on your argument and finding more sources for the essay for writing assignment #3.
Technology and Your Field of Study
Analyze the effects of a particular technology in a field of study of your choice.
This option represents a more general approach to the essay.
Some examples might be the following. These are just examples. Many approaches are possible for this topic.
The effects of mobile devices on cybersecurity
The effects of the Internet on the field of advertising
The effects of cloud computing on a particular business field
The effects of the Internet in an area of communication studies
The effects of the Internet on global marketing strategies
The effects of a particular type of technology on health care
You must use at least two sources to support your points in this essay. You will cite your sources in APA style, using both in-text citations and a “References†page at the end of the essay.
If you choose this topic, you may write on the same topic for writing assignment #3, the research-supported essay. If you write on this topic for both writing assignment #2 and writing assignment #3, you will be expanding on your argument and finding more sources for the essay for writing assignment #3.
Organization
The following video tutorial provides general instruction on writing a cause-effect essay: http://polaris.umuc.edu/ewc/tutorials/cause_effect/
Your essay should have the following:
an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement.
The following video tutorial gives instruction on writing an effective introduction to an essay: http://polaris.umuc.edu/ewc/tutorials/introductions/
body paragraphs that offer evidence to support your thesis and synthesizes your source material
The following video tutorial gives instruction on writing effective body paragraphs for an essay. Keep in mind that this tutorial is not specific to the cause-effect essay: http://polaris.umuc.edu/ewc/tutorials/paragraphs/
You might find the following tutorial helpful for using effective transitions from one thought to the next in your essay. Keep in mind that this tutorial is not specific to the cause-effect essay: http://polaris.umuc.edu/ewc/tutorials/transitions/
a solid conclusion that reminds readers of your main idea (or thesis) without simply repeating it
The following video tutorial gives instruction on writing an effective conclusion to an essay: http://polaris.umuc.edu/ewc/tutorials/conclusions/
A References page that lists the two sources you used for the essay
Other Tips to Consider:
This essay asks you to focus on effects.
The length and breadth of this essay is not sufficient to allow you to analyze both causes and effects in a thorough fashion. For example, if you write about the effects of MOOCs, you would mostly write about what happens as a result of MOOCs (effects). You might briefly mention why MOOCs arose (causes) towards the beginning of the essay, but this would not be a focus of the essay.
In addition, this is not a persuasive essay. Your opinion or response, if it comes out in your essay, should not be the focus of the essay. The effects should be the focus of the essay.
Length: 800-1000 words
Format
Double space
Include a title page with this information:
Title of essay
Your Name
Date
WRTG 101S
Document sources using APA style. Please consult pages 500-537 of Writing for Success to determine how the sources should be cited for the various types of sources you are using.
Submit your essay as an attachment
What to submit
Rough Draft – By the end of Week 3, submit your rough draft under the assignment “Writing Assignment #2 Rough Draft.†You will receive feedback during Week 4.
Revised Paper – By the end of Week 6, submit your revised paper under the assignment “Writing Assignment #2 Revised.†This version will be graded according to the following rubric:
Maximum score
Your score
Comments
Introduction and thesis: Topic is introduced in an engaging way and essay has a clear and effective thesis statement
10
Body Content: Essay supports the thesis statement, discusses effects of a particular technology on some aspect of the world with effective use of sources
30
Body Organization: Essay is logically organized into focused paragraphs
15
Conclusion: Essay has an effective concluding paragraph that reminds readers of main idea
10
Mechanics: Essay uses standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and diction
20
Length and format: Essay is 800-1000 words and follows prescribed format
5
References: At least two well-chosen sources, cited in-text and an on reference page in APA format
10
Total
100
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