1210: Current Issues Essay 1 Course Competencies Assessed: 1-3, 6-7, 9-11. Reflecting on context, readings, and discussion: We started the unit by looking at many factors surrounding identity, including how our own minds might be "hacked," assumptions we or those around us might make about how identity is formed, and multiple examples of how the concept of identity manifests itself in current issues. We examined authors whose writing centered around one aspect of identity. Identify encompasses everything from DNA, names, appearances, signatures, the environment, or objects but also includes gender, race, culture, ethnicity and more! Through our discussions, we have hopefully explored a wide variety of current events and issues about it too. Now that we have explored ways of thinking about identity and completed personal reflection and connection in discussion, it is time to formalize your thoughts on the topic. Topic: You will analyze how one of the assigned essays from the Remix chapter presents one of the three chapter assumptions about identity. Your analysis will contain an overview of the main arguments presented in the essay you chose and demonstrate an awareness of how these arguments resonate as a current issue in contemporary society. Prepare to write: Part I: Analysis of a Remix essay. Once you decide which essay you want to analyze and which one of the three chapter assumptions it either supports or negates, you should re-read the essay carefully, annotating or taking notes for each of the following components that will help you form your essay: Read until you can clearly identify the central argument to the essay (in one sentence) as well as the main claims the writer makes to support that main argument (how does he or she build the overall argument)? These should be explicitly stated ideas within the essay. You should highlight well-worded key details that really drive home the authors' points. Make notes about the contexts of the essay that will be helpful in establishing purpose, audience, and strategy. Make notes about what the writer INFERS about what makes us who we are. Highlight passages that demonstrate where these inferences are made. Note: I have two worksheets you should use to examine context and inference, two concepts you will need to include in your analysis. Part II: Connect the argument about identity to current issues in contemporary society. Reread your notes about the writer's argument and main claims. Reflect about how do these arguments connect to broader discussions about identity happening in the world today. Make notes about some connections you could explain to your reader that demonstrates how this topic is part of "current issues." Here is an example to illustrate the concept: 1210: Current Issues Essay 1 Course Competencies Assessed: 1-3, 6-7, 9-11. Let us say the chosen essay argues that advancements in technology are fundamentally changing how we define ourselves. For Part II, a student could discuss the rise of AI companions and how some people are forming emotional attachments to these machines, challenging traditional notions of human connection and potentially impacting identity. They could use a news article from a reputable source discussing this phenomenon. To support your analysis, locate 2-3 objective sources that demonstrate how the essay's arguments are reflected in contemporary society. These sources could be: o News articles from reputable news organizations (not opinion pieces). o Scholarly articles or research findings related to the essay's theme. o Documentaries or other media exploring issues of identity. o While social media posts can reflect current discussions, avoid overusing them as your primary source for this assignment. Focus on more credible sources that offer in-depth analysis. Now Write! Once you have all your notes and reflections and associated current events ready, you should draft your full essay! Use the General Academic Writing handout to adhere to basic expectations of academic writing, verify you have met all the expectations listed above. Check your due dates for rough draft, workshop, and final draft in the course calendar.