1. Your introduction must start with a hook. The background section will orient the reader of your paper to the article title, its author and publisher, and the basics of its topic. It will also provide the reader with your thesis for the paper. NOTE: The thesis for your paper is NOT THE SAME AS THE ARTICLE’S THESIS. You will probably tell us what that was in the first body paragraph. Instead, your essay thesis should cover this whole essay, the summary and your response. We will practice these in class.
2. The first body paragraph will be a summary of the article. We should be alerted to this in the topic sentence. Then, the author’s key points should be distilled for the reader. I should be frequently reminded that this information is not from YOU, it is from the author or article.
3. The second body paragraph(s) will be your personal response to the ideas in the article. In your response, you will engage with the ideas that the author presented in the article. You can extend the discussion and expand the ideas beyond the original points made. This expansion could include extra information or experience you have had with whatever you are talking about. For example, I might add how my dad has been helped by Cochlear implant technology to be able to hear again. I can add that even though the article may not have talked about that type of medical technology. You might also add information from another article or source, if it is needed to make your “case.”
4. The conclusion should have the same three parts as always: Restate YOUR thesis, summarize your main points (summary/response), and end with a powerful closing statement.
The article doesn’t require any sources or citations.
Link for the article I chose: https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/federal-regulators-probe-role-of-ford-assisted-driving-tech-in-fatal-crash-2b92dea0?mod=Searchresults_pos2&page=1Links to an external site.
Article Pre-Draft:
Summary-Response Essay:
Introduction (p. 191)
1. Hook: Did you know that assisted driving dates back to the 1920s when the first rudimentary forms of cruise control were introduced? In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive technology, the promise of self-driving systems has captured imagination and concern.
2. Background info on topic + Introduce the author & their article (possibly their thesis): The Wall Street Journal article by Ben Felton delves into the investigation launched by federal regulators into the role of Ford’s assisted driving technology in a fatal crash. Felton explores the complexities surrounding this incident and its implications for the future of autonomous driving.
3. Your thesis statement: The probe initiated by U.S. auto regulators into the functionality and reliability of Ford’s assisted driving features highlights the critical intersection of technology and safety in modern vehicles.
Body Section 1: “Summary of the article” topic sentence (p. 192):
Add a topic sentence for the overall article. Add the exact name of the article in it, too, since you didn’t mention it above.
MP1: What exactly happened, and what are the main concerns?
Felton underscores the central narrative of the article by outlining the circumstances of the fatal crash involving a Ford vehicle equipped with assisted driving technology. Notably, he highlights the concerns raised by regulators regarding the system’s performance and its potential contribution to the accident.
MP2: Reactions and Responses to the incident.
The author details the reactions from Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), shedding light on their perspectives and responses to the incident. This includes Ford’s assertion that its system was not engaged at the crash and NHTSA’s refraining from commenting on ongoing investigations.
C. MP3: Complexities of self-driving vehicle technologies.
Felton provides insight into the broader context of the investigation, discussing how it fits into a larger pattern of scrutiny surrounding the deployment of autonomous features in vehicles. This encompasses the challenges of regulating and ensuring the safety of increasingly complex driving technologies.
Transition to next section:
Having summarized the critical points of Felton’s article, it’s crucial to examine my response to the issues raised….
III. Body Section 2: Your “Response to the article” topic sentence (bottom of p. 193-194):
MP1: Ford driver says the other car was “at complete stop with no lights on” (disagree)
While the Ford driver claims the other vehicle was at a complete stop with no lights on, it’s essential to critically evaluate this assertion, considering potential biases or inaccuracies in the account.
MP2: NHTSA doesn’t comment on open investigations (agree)
Agreeing with NHTSA’s decision not to comment extensively on open investigations is prudent, as premature conclusions could undermine the integrity of the process.
MP3: investigation for crashes under special circumstances (agree/disagree)
Acknowledging the need for investigations into crashes under exceptional circumstances aligns with efforts to enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous driving technologies.
Conclusion
As the article by Ryan Felton, from the Wall Street Journal, states: “U.S. auto-safety regulators have opened an investigation into a recent fatal wreck.”
After the information reported by the author Ryan Felton, I agree in most part but I think some of the decisions made by the Auto Regulators in the U.S. should be more radical and try to control this type of issue in a quicker manner. Now the company Tesla, has come out with a new self-driving truck that has very interesting looks which I am sure will attract a lot of new customers; but will these new customers be safe driving this new vehicle?
Revisit hook or tie all ideas together with a prediction, call to action, or suggestion:
