Assignment
For this assignment, you have the choice between three options. All three options require that you respond
to one (or two, for the third option) of the course texts at a critical level. The main difference between the
options is the medium you use to convey your critical response.
See Information for the lateness penalties.
Option 1
Write a short essay, of three to four pages, that constitutes a critical analysis of one of the first three
books from our reading list (i.e., The Dumbest Generation, You Are Not a Gadget, or The Shallows).
Essays shorter than three pages or longer than five pages may be returned unread.
You are writing a critical response, not a review or a personal response. You are expected to do three things
with your essay: 1) convey to your grader that you have understood very well the book in question, 2) respond to one
or more of the arguments presented in the book, and 3) begin a rhetorical analysis of one or more of the arguments (not
necessarily the same to which you respond). Note that the second and third tasks can easily be blurred together,
and it is really the third task that is most important of the three. Your thesis statement can have two parts: one
covering the second task and one covering the third.
As with most English Studies essays, value will be awarded based on the depth of the analysis, the complexity
of the discussion, the solidity of the writing, and the thoroughness of the support to the thesis.
I recommend you stay away from any other source for this essay, though you may choose to use other sources if you
feel you need to. As always, plagiarism will not be tolerated. Document all sources (of ideas and of quotations),
including all web sources (whether an author is identifiable or not).
Essays should conform to MLA guidelines. Essays should have double-spaced lineation. Printed essays should use a
12-point, serif font and should not have a justified right margin. Please use one-inch margins on all sides. Please
do not submit the essay in a binder or folder. I am not fond of title pages.
An essay for Option 1 is due October 18.
Option 2
Present in front of the class a critical analysis of one of the last three books from our reading list (i.e.,
Alone Together, Reality is Broken, or Infinite Reality). There are three corresponding dates
for the presentation: you may sign up for the presentation on a first-come, first-choice basis. Presentations
are expected to be about eight to ten minutes in length (which generally corresponds to four to five pages of
writing). You may read a written essay for your presentation, or you may “talk” to the class (perhaps
from notes). You may use PowerPoint slides or other visuals if you wish.
As with the written response, your presentation needs to be a critical response, not a review or a personal response.
You are expected to do three things with your presentation: 1) convey to the class (and your grader) that you have
understood very well the book in question, 2) respond to one or more of the arguments presented in the book, and 3)
begin a rhetorical analysis of one or more of the arguments (not necessarily the same to which you respond). Note that
the second and third tasks can easily be blurred together, and it is really the third task that is most important of the
three. Your presentation will probably have two thesis statements: one covering the second task and one covering the third.
You will be graded on the oral presentation alone: no written work needs to be handed in. Your presentation should
not be too informal, but does not have to be highly formal. You may entertain/amuse us if you wish, but your grader will
be looking for a complex, critical response to the text and strong support for the thesis (or two).
Presentations will take place on November 10, November 24, and December 6.
Option 3
Create a small digital hypertext (web site) and/or a short digital video that respond critically to one or two of the
six course texts. While this option allows for more creativity, the product should still entail a critical analysis
of the text(s), and not be a review or personal response (though personal response is allowed to play a larger role in
this option).
The hypertext does not have to be large, and the video should probably be between four and ten minutes long. You may
consult with the instructor about different types of hypertext, but a handful of web pages with interesting display effects
and links might be sufficient. Some example videos are listed below. Note that you should downplay the summary aspect and
play up the response aspect.
Texts and/or videos should be submitted electronically. If you want to upload your hypertext or video to YouTube or
another web site, then a Web link is all that is needed for submission. You will probably be asked for permission to post
your project on the course web site, for your fellow students to enjoy (and you may refuse if you wish).
For this option only, you may work in groups of two. Both students in a team will receive the same grade for the assignment.
The digital project for Option 3 is due November 8.
Example videos
The Machine is Us/ing Us (a video explaining Web 2.0 and related concepts)
We Think (a video response/summary of We Think by Charles Leadbeater)
CIS420-Video Project (a video response/summary of The Shallows)
Are kids different because of digital media? (a promotional video about some of the work of the MacArthur Foundation)
Digital Learners News Segment (an animated video explaining the concept of digital learners)
David Gauntlett: Media in the online age (an animated response/parody of another media studies video)
So you Want to Get a PhD in the Humanities (a funny animated video satirizing assumptions surrounding post-graduate academics)
You should be able to use for free the Xtranormal Movie Maker for animated videos.