Purpose: You will develop an essay that presents an argument and supports it through an explanation of your reasoning. You will include at least one outside source to support your position. In addition, you will use a 3-part essay structure—introduction, multiple body paragraphs, conclusion—to develop your ideas.
Topic: The Essay 1 readings consider the various ways—both positive and negative—that internet media and social networking media impact society. For this essay, you will consider your own position on the effects of these forms of media.

You have three options for this essay. Select one of the following three topics:

1) Consider the quotation from Henry David Thoreau: “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” Agree or disagree with this view, using 3 specific technological “luxuries” to support your position.
2) In “The Twitter Trap,” the author wonders “whether the new technologies overtaking us may be eroding characteristics that are essentially human: our ability to reflect, our pursuit of meaning, genuine empathy, a sense of community connected by something [deep].”

How do you think that these four characteristics are affected by new technologies?
3) Make a prediction—How will the internet change over the next 5 years? Which current trends will continue, which will fade? How will the ways we interact and communication change?