Topic:
Write a research paper that shows how digital technologies (i.e., the Internet, social networks, smart phones, apps, etc.) are positively or negatively influencing one part of contemporary society. The paper should critically and thoughtfully argue how digital technologies are affecting one specific topic. Although your paper should acknowledge opposing views or trends, it should take a clear overall stand on whether digital technologies are mostly helpful or harmful for your topic. The topic should be very specific and explored with an argument that is sophisticated and unified: it is best to start with a very narrow topic and only expand it if necessary. Through substantial research, the paper should offer an academic argument that goes beyond confirming your personal experience or restating obvious ideas. I strongly recommend you pick a topic related to either your major or a personal hobby. We have already written papers about digital reading and deep thinking, so those topics cannot be chosen for the research paper.
The paper might investigate how digital technologies are positively or negatively influencing:
The field of your career choice.
One specific hobby or interest of yours (such as fashion, sports, gaming, etc.)
The way businesses operate (you will have to focus on one specific aspect of business or one kind of business)
One of the media (film, music, etc.) industries
The development or raising of children
The relationships of family members
The way we meet, develop intimacy, and form relationships (focus on one specific issue with online dating, etc.)
The emotional lives of Internet and/or social media users (focus on just one specific emotional issue in depth)
The way we celebrate, grieve, and/or emotionally express ourselves
The way we think or the structure of the neurons in our brain
How political change (local, national, or international) is brought about
How the news profession operates
The culture/habits of specific age groups or specific ethnic, racial, gender, minority, or religious groups
Privacy or ideas about privacy
Requirements:
1. The paper must be 7-10 pages in length. No paper under 7 pages will receive a passing grade. 7 pages is the bare minimum, but make sure you write enough to adequately analyze your topic. This page requirement does not include the Works Cited page, which is an additional page.
2. Correctly use the MLA format for all in-text citations.
3. Provide a separate Works Cited page that conforms to the MLA guidelines.
4. Use at least seven documented sources that are well chosen. At least two of your sources must be scholarly journal articles.
Grading:
Your grade will be determined by five criteria:
1) The sophistication of your argument.
2) The clarity of your organization.
3) The credibility of your research.
4) The adherence to the MLA rules for in-text citations and a Works Cited.
5) The quality of your writing.
The argument should offer genuinely informative and insightful claims about the topic that go beyond common sense and common knowledge. The paper needs to be organized into unified paragraphs that flow in a logical and clear manner. The research needs to be undertaken and presented in a way that provides greater sophistication and credibility to your paper’s argument. MLA rules must be followed for all citations and the Works Cited. The writing needs to be grammatically correct and clear.
