Sex Causes HeadachesThinking Critically in the Modern Age of Technology
After a researcher has completed a study, he or she will want to share the findings with other people. Due to recent advances in technology, often the information is disseminated incorrectly. Examples are the recent Anthrax scare, and the study which prompted the name of this assignment.
Thus your assignment is to find a piece of information that you think might not be quite correct in its reporting, or isn't reporting the whole truth. Usually you will find these in popular magazines or on web sites. Find the kernel of truth in this article. (Make sure it is from a credible source. No alien babies who claim to be Elvis' love child). Then search out the true information. Where is it? Who said it? What did they really say or study? How is it different from the popular piece? Why is it different? Who is the audience? What would happen if this was all the information we had?
Please make sure that your presentation is in standard essay format and NOT numeric. This is an automatic 5 pt deduction.
I. A paragraph comparing the style and content of the actual study and the popular source. Include the names of both publications, i.e. where was it published?
II. A paragraph explaining why you think the original study was reported incorrectly. Be clear on this. You are not looking for a completely bogus piece, just one that has misreported something. Don't kill yourself looking for bad news.
III. A summary of your comparison of the style and content of the two pieces of information. Remark on the audiences each is written for.
IV. What could happen if people only knew the disseminated information. It is okay to be humorous here but it is not required.
V. Make sure that your introductory paragraph contains a thesis statement (i.e. what are you trying to say?) and your concluding paragraph contains a reiteration of that thesis (i.e. didja' say it?).
VI. Reference everything. Edit everything (automatic 5 pt deduction for lack of either)
This assignment should be turned in typed, doubled-spaced, with one-inch margins 12 point font NOT times New Roman. Be sure to use grammatical sentences and check your spelling! Again, use paragraph form and not numeric.
Discuss
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