April Calderon
Professor Julie Moore-Felux
ENGL 1302
15 August 2013
Final Exam: Question No.: 1 & 3
Question #1: “With friends like these ...” Tom Hodgkinson article question(s):
In the article written by Tom Hodgkinson, his clear intention was to convince the viewer/reader to deny, reject, negate social media specifically, Facebook. The writer focuses on the aspect that social media, specifically, Facebook, destroys people’s ability to connect with one another. He further states that the essence of social media is controlled by a select few whose sole motive is control and profit and their own agendas. (Hodgkinson 327, 328)

It is obvious from the beginning of the article Hodgkinson, is opposed to social media. The writer attempts to narrow his thesis into specific principles or burdens, which is difficult. He supports his thesis and supporting arguments with the criterion or value premise of a moralistic or ethical intent of social media. The writer attempts to prove this in three ways. One, he demoralizes social media by stating it erodes the interaction of intrapersonal skills. Meaning social media takes away the person to person interaction. This results in antisocial behavior and desolation of verbal speech. He then moves on to disclose the unique background of the primary investors in the largest social media corporation, Facebook. The representation of the primary investors is very disturbing. He presents data that is very disturbing about the three major investors. The writer states claims of mafias, “The Pay Pal Mafias” (Hodgkinson 328). He attempts to portray the investors as neo-fascists, materialistic, and capitalistic swine. He presents data that purports the CIA has indirectly invested in Facebook, in some large scale violation of privacy. (Hodgkinson 330, 331) The third point he makes is to convince the reader that participating in Facebook, you are by de facto clause a member of the “arid virtual republic.” The article is borderline paranoid conspiracy theorist. It is very clear that Hodgkinson is opposed to the social media and the internet in general. He purports that the having virtual relationships is adverse, to the overall good of society. Of course the writer does work for the Guardian. (Hodgkinson 326)

The overall tone of the essay is negative and hostile. He uses thought provoking ideas that could lead the reader to disregard his theories. The article should be revised with more practical and reasonable points. He should take a more pragmatic approach as opposed to an emotional one. If his goal is to inform the public about the evils and dangers of social media, then the article is fine as it is written. However, if his goal is to convince people to stop using social media, specifically Facebook, then he should take a different approach. The author should focus more on the statistically data that proves the results of social media or virtual relationships. He should present data showing the correlation between the rise of the internet and obesity. He should focus on the effects that since the advent of the internet we as a society have become very sedentary. The writer should present data that proves the effects of social media on intrapersonal skills. Again, if the writer’s goal is to convince people to stay away from social media, then he should focus on pragmatic facts, as opposed to conspiracy theories.

Question No. 3:

The following articles would be used to aid in the instruction of Freshmen Composition 1302. If I was presented with teaching certain elements of the course I would use the following articles:

1. The World Food Crisis: An Overview of the Causes and Consequences By Solomon H Katz page: 794

2. More Religion, but not the old-time kind By Laurie Goodstein page: 858

3. The Campus Crusade for Guys by Sarah Karnasiewicz page: 909

4. Should the Obama generation Drop Out? By Charles Murray page: 982

I would use this article to teach the core concepts of ENGL 1302:
The Campus Crusade for Guys by Sarah Karnasiewicz page: 909

The article The Campus Crusade for guys is all about affirmative action and attempting to provide a one sided view of this conversational topic. The author of this article S. Karnasiewicz presented a question, “Might it be time to adopt affirmative action for boys?” (Karnasiewicz 1) It appears that this question is the reoccurring theme throughout the piece. This theme brings other questions and/or concerns to mind; some may ask, why is this trend occurring? What is changing in our society? What should be done, if at all, to balance out the male to female college admittance ratios? The author poses very similar arguments as well. She asks the questions in a different manner, but are the same none the less. The new trend appears to be that women are far exceeding the number of men that earn university degrees.
I would have the students write persuasive essays about this topic.

I would use this article to teach writers the element of argument.
Should the Obama generation Drop Out? By Charles Murray page: 982
The article is based is written by Murray. He is suggesting that a Bachelor’s degree should be discarded and not considered for employment. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree he proposes “certification tests” to see if the candidate meets certain criteria. He uses the argument that most people are to ignorant or as he puts it, “not smart enough” to complete a college degree program and/or most families lack funding. I would have students write essays that counter act this articles viewpoints.

I would use this article to teach the concept of argument of definition:
More Religion, but not the old-time kind By Laurie Goodstein page: 858 This article is essentially about fundamentalism and religion. The writer refutes these terms and presents a different view point.

I would have the students write an argument of definition paper on fundamentalism and religion.

I would use this article to teach the argument of Argument of Facts:

The World Food Crisis: An Overview of the Causes and Consequences by Solomon H Katz page: 794 Essentially this article presents data that informs the reader of the world food crises. I would have the students write essays on facts similar to the facts stated in this paper.