link http://www.researchport.umd.edu

Description

In this option, you will select an object or invention that was created in recent history (i.e., the last 40 years or so), and convince your selected audience that it is important and praiseworthy. You should pick an object or invention with which you are somewhat familiar—a piece of technology or object that your audience may use all the time, a thing that is important in your audience’s life, or even a piece of software that serves some form of crucial function for your audience. Remember: your task is not to simply tell the story (narrative) of the object or invention, but rather to argue to your audience for its importance using details and evidence. You may consider the following as you generate ideas for this essay: • Was the object’s invention or creation inspired by some noble goal? Did the actors undertake the action with a praiseworthy end in mind? What was it? • Were there particular challenges or obstacles that the actors overcame in the object’s creation? Were there obstacles to their success, like a pre-existing competitor or a specific technical, economic, or political problem? • Was the object or invention the first of its kind? A unique, groundbreaking, or game-changing device? What made it so? Does it show in itself praiseworthy values, like compassion, courage, creativity, audacity, or determination? • Did the object’s invention bring about positive things? Did its creation lead to good consequences, or lay the groundwork for other noteworthy or praiseworthy accomplishments? As this essay requires an MLA-formatted in-text citation of a source, you will be required to find an acceptable source (book, journal article, or other periodical) using the University’s research tools (http://www.researchport.umd.edu) or use a specific source that your instructor provides for you. Your essay must be guided by a strong thesis statement, supported by well-developed body paragraphs that have clear topic sentences, and make use of appropriate evidence. The essay must also have a clear sense of its audience and purpose, and a strong introduction and conclusion.