For this writing journal, after watching the videos and participating in (or watching the recording of) class discussion, use the guidelines to draft a mini-essay (without an introduction or conclusion) that answers the following question of at least 1250 words:
Follow all of the directions below, :
Watch the videos (or class recording of them) linked in April 4’s Summary Announcement. They are all available with links (except Star Trek, which is not available for free anywhere I could find) in 97’s Content < Course Readings and Videos < Videos. You can also reread the article "Polygenic Embryo Screening: Ethical and Legal Considerations" in 97 or linked here.
Review your notes (interesting facts, things that happened, or questions you had) from when you watched them.
Try to see any patterns in how you think entertainment might affect how people understand and think about people who are neurodivergent (being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is just one form of neurodivergence. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, are two other most commonly discussed forms, as just two examples. You can also review that category in 39 Types of Diversity.docx to get a better understanding if you wish:
Mental Health
Without the support and resources to seek and receive the help employees need, companies may see an increase in absences, work-family conflict, increased mental health and behavioral problems and even higher turnover rates.
To combat the stigma around mental health in the workplace, employers are improving resources, like insurance benefits, to cover mental health services and build a more inclusive company culture that supports mental health.
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity, as defined by the National Symposium on Neurodiversity, “is a concept where neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those labeled with dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, autism spectrum, Tourette syndrome, and others.”
Some of the most famous and successful people in the world are neurodivergent. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator and designer of Pokemon, has Asperger’s Syndrome; Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, has dyslexia; actor and activist Emma Watson has ADHD.
While certain stereotypes and stigmas might surround neurodiverse individuals, research shows that some conditions, like autism and dyslexia, enhance an individual’s ability to recognize patterns, retain information and excel in math — all critical skills for any job.
Ask yourself the question, "Based on what I have read and watched, how do I think entertainment affects how the average American thinks about people who are neurodivergent?" Make a list of as many ways you think people might be affected as possible.
If possible, try to add next to each of those items on your list something from the sources we have read and watched that helped you decide that what you wrote is probably true.
Make a list of possible topic sentences by writing as many sentences as possible that go something like this: One way I believe entertainment affects how people think or understand people who are neurodivergent is _________. (Fill in the blank with one of the items on your list.) these are your possible topic sentences.
After writing each possible topic sentence,select the seven that you think make the most sense and that you will have the easiest time writing about using a source and your own ideas.
After typing or copying your seven sentences as a list with room to add onto each to build your paragraphs, pick the one you want to start with first. Add a sentence right after it that shares a source that helped you think of that idea: In the video, "Autism tropes in Media," Jessica Kellgren-Fozard says that _________." (Fill in the blank with the information or quotation that helped you figure out the idea in your first sentence.)
Next, start with a phrase like "This shows that…" or "This points out the effect that…" or "This helps to explain why…" and finish the sentence with several sentences of your own that explain how that source information, plus your own existing knowledge and experiences, work together to "prove" the idea in the sentence you wrote in step 6.
Repeat steps 8-9 for all seven of your selected sentences.
When you are done, pick the five that you think are the strongest and organize them into a correctly formatted MLA document like an essay–just without the introduction, conclusion, or works cited page. See if they already reach the 1250-word requirement. If not, see if you can explain more, share an additional example, or add more detail to each of them. If you think your existing explanation is 100% clear for any possible reader already, add one or two of your "leftover" paragraphs. If needed, add more detail and expand your explanation and examples to reach the word length requirement.
Your mini-essay should meet the 1250-word requirement with 5-7 of your possible body paragraphs. Each one should give one specific reason for your answer that finishes this statement (your thesis): Entertainment affects how the average American thinks about people who are neurodivergent in many ways which (explain briefly if it is in a positive way, a negative way, or a mixture of both).
Make sure that you go back ad keep adding more explanation and detail to each paragraph until you reach the required 1250 words. Please do not draft an introduction or conclusion that are longer than three sentences, at most (leaving them off completely is fine!).
Link to Polygenic Embryo Screening:
https://www.thehastingscenter.org/polygenic-embryo-screening-ethical-and-legal-considerations/
Youtube Watched in Class (Useful):
"Autism Tropes in Media" – Jessica Kellgren-Fozard
I do not need big fancy words. Simple is enough for me. Please make sure to watch the video and read the articles linked and also in the instructions. I need someone who takes their time writing this essay. Thank you!
