As we have already learned from reading Virtual Communities and from the recent events here on campus, a number of controversial issues arise as the information superhighway grows. For Project III, we would like to you to identify one controversial issue, research it, and write a 5-7 page argumentative essay about it. A three hundred word statement about the issue or issues you are considering including a rationale as to why you want to research and write about it. Academic argumentation, however, is not any of these things. Argumentation, one of the most commonly employed forms of academic writing, strives to go beyond mere persuasive writing in which you might appeal to ones emotions in an attempt to persuade them to your point of view.
Academic argumentation is a technique of analysis which employs logical inquiry.
A strong argument does not rely on the quantity of evidence but rather on the quality of evidence and analysis. The first step is to identify an issue which you find interesting. The following list of questions is suggestive rather than exhaustive. During your next set of readings and our upcoming class discussion, other issues may become apparent. Some critics argue that the information superhighway will increase the gap between the haves and the have nots.