This document provides instructions for an English essay assignment on the topic of technology and the future. Students are asked to write a 5-7 page persuasive essay discussing whether new technology is harmful or beneficial to humanity. The essay must include analysis of how three required sources - an excerpt from Utopia, Fahrenheit 451, and The Matrix - relate to the question. Possible ways to incorporate the sources include discussing their themes regarding the effects of technology on society. The document provides guidance on structuring the essay and using persuasive techniques.

1. English 1050 Essay 3: Technology and the Future (Final Draft)
Many arguments have been made regarding the subject of new
technology. Some people welcome new technological advances.
Many “dystopian” novels and films (such as
Fahrenheit 451
and
The Matrix
) warn against new technology, and even suggest that self-aware
machines will someday enslave the human race. Is this possible?
Even if machines do not destroy humans, are they dangerous in
other ways? For example, the animated film
Wal-E
depicts a future society in which humanity is so dependent on
technology that we are nearly helpless. Your assignment is to
write an essay of 5-7 pages (and 1,200-1,500 words) on the
subject of technology. You should focus on the following
question:
“Is new technology harmful or beneficial to human beings, or a
combination of both? Will technology help or hinder humanity’s
efforts to create a better society in the future?”
Your essay's First Draft must have a title, a thesis statement,
and at least five paragraphs. Use prewriting techniques to
generate ideas if you need to. The purpose of a persuasive essay
is to convince the reader to do something (such as agree with
your argument). I suggest you use the three persuasive appeals (
ethos, pathos, and logos
) we discussed in class to persuade the reader. You must use the
following three sources in your essay: the excerpt from Sir
Thomas More’s book,

2. Utopia
from our Barnet book, the novel
Fahrenheit 451,
and the film
The Matrix
. Please use these sources on your works cited page (see next
page). You may also use additional sources if you wish. Here
are three possible ways that you can use these sources. Each of
these suggestions are optional:
How does Ray Bradbury, in his novel
Fahrenheit 451,
argue that new technology will affect society in the future?
Does he suggest this technology will have positive or negative
effects, or a combination of both? Is the technology in his book
helpful or harmful to its users? Do you agree or disagree with
the theme or message of his novel?
Analyze the argument expressed by the character Morpheus, for
or against the Matrix, in the film of the same name. Does
Morpheus argue that the Matrix (the computer-generated virtual
reality in the film) is beneficial or harmful? What is Morpheus’s
claim
(conclusion or thesis?) What are his
grounds
(evidence or support?) What is his
warrant
(guarantee that his grounds support his claim?) You may use
details from the film and from your own experience to support
your conclusions.
Analyze the argument expressed by the character Cypher, for or
against the Matrix, in the film of the same name. Does Cypher
argue that the Matrix (the computer-generated virtual reality in
the film) is beneficial or harmful? What is Cypher’s

3. claim
(conclusion or thesis?) What are his
grounds
(evidence or support?) What is his
warrant
(guarantee that his grounds support his claim?) You may use
details from the film and from your own experience to support
your conclusions.
Explain the argument expressed by Sir Thomas More in his
book Based on your reading of the excerpt from
Utopia
in our Barnet book, is Moore describing a better society? Does
new technology help us create such a society, or prevent us
from creating such a society? You may use details from the
essay and your own experience to support your conclusions.
Please see your syllabus for the final draft due date. Your final
draft must be word-processed according to the MLA style rules.
You may also use information from the Web site
www.bedfordstmartins.com/barnetbedau (Links to an external
site.)
to support your conclusions. Relax and have fun with this
assignment!
Below is a correctly-formatted works cited page for this
assignment:
Works Cited
Bradbury, Ray.
Fahrenheit 451.
Simon & Schuster, 2013.
More, Sir Thomas. “From

4. Utopia
.”
Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Tenth Edition.
Ed. Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau. Bedford, 2014. pp.
655-668.
Wachowski, Larry and Andy, Dir.
The Matrix.
Perf. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-
Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving. Warner Brothers, 1999.