Robots: Friend or Foe? The Essay

Writing Assignment Due 11/25/09:

Based on the articles we have read in class along with the two online assignments below, you will have to write a persuasive essay regarding one of the following issues of robotics (Extra credit: submit to me via email if you have a C or higher to publish on this blog):

• use of robots in factories: ethics vs. economics
  
• use of robots in war: ethics vs. soldier safety
  
• use of personal robots: ethics of robot human relations and impact on our quality of life

CA Standards
Reading
2.8 Evaluate the credibility of an author's argument or defense of a claim by critiquing the relationship between generalizations and evidence, the comprehensiveness of evidence, and the way in which the author's intent affects the structure and tone of the text (e.g., in professional journals, editorials, political speeches, primary source material).

Writing
1.1 Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintains a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing
1.4 Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence (e.g., scenarios, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, definitions).

photo by tubes.

Democracy Now Segment -- Robot Research Source 1

For this portion, you will continue to gather specifics about the use of robots and the ethical issues. From the information you gather here, in the other online segments, and the articles in class, you will create your thesis.

Click on the link below and do the following:

• Note information needed for citation (Author, Article title, Journal/Website, Date Accessed, URL, Date Article Published). Often the citation is provided in the correct format at the bottom of the page.
  
• SOAPSTONE the interview (note, there is more than one speaker)
  
• Use thinking maps to identify the argument of the speakers, reasons used to support the argument, evidence given to support the reasons, and identify if the speakers include pathos, ethos, or logos.
  
• Gather specifics/quotes that you find significant, interesting, important.
• For homework, review your specifics to find meanings, the argument, and connections to other articles you've read or to your own previous knowledge.

Now, go to this link. It is an interview. If you have your ear phones you may listen to the interview as you read the transcript of the interview:
Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century

photo by Fredoichi

Wired Articles -- Robot Research Source 2

For this portion, you will continue to gather information to develop your thesis.
Choose at least two of the articles from the link below and do the following for EACH article:

• Note information needed for citation (Author, Article title, Journal/Website, Date Accessed, URL, Date Article Published). Often the citation is provided in the correct format at the bottom of the page.
  
• SOAPSTONE the article.
  
• Use thinking maps to identify the argument of the speakers, reasons used to support the argument, evidence given to support the reasons, and identify if the speaker includes pathos, ethos, or logos. Gather specifics/quotes that you find significant, interesting, important.
• For homework, review your specifics to find meanings, the argument, and connections to other articles you've read or to your own previous knowledge.
  

Robotics Articles in Wired

Photo by Dan Coulter

Citing Sources

For the sources you used in the two online assignments, use the following sites to create your proper MLA works cited entries to submit with your paragraph/essay.

Son of Citation Machine

or

OWL MLA Formatting Guide

photo by choptshopstore