argument of fact and definition

Hugo Azevedo
Jane Moody
4/8/10
ENC 1102 Sec 0105
In Class Essay On Lunsford
After reading about arguments of fact and definition I have concluded that my essay cannot be designated into one group because it is a combination of both. My argument attempts to redefine people’s view of video games, which are generally seen as a waste of time, into a more positive one because of the potential of video games to become a powerful educational tool. I attempt to accomplish this by presenting the case studies done by researchers on this very subject and that is why my argument is a mixture of both definition and fact.
At first I was on the fence about what kind of argument my essay would be until I read the Lunsford book. The section about arguments of definition is what swayed my opinion on my own argument. The part that said that an argument of definition is a “claim involving a question of definition” (Lunsford 233) didn’t really draw my attention until I considered what my paper was really about. My essay is attempting to change people’s view of video games, which has always been a negative one, usually seen as being a waste of time, into a more positive one because I have found through my research that if used properly they can completely change the way students learn. I was writing an argument of definition the whole time and not even realizing it until I read Lunsford. Now the reason why I believe that my argument is not only one of definition but also one of fact is because the way in which I try to redefine the way people see video games is through the factual information I have found through my research.
While my paper is mostly an argument of definition it is only strong because of the factual information that I used to strengthen my points which would also make this an argument of fact because, according to Lunsford, arguments of fact “offer substantial and authoritative evidence to support your claims” (Lunsford 194). That is exactly what my argument does; it provides factual evidence that video games CAN be constructed and used for educational purposes and that they will be very productive because this generation of students that fully rely on technology are better equipped to learn this way. So while my paper may be an argument of definition, it is only so because of the factual information and evidence I have gathered through research.

Core 3 Reflection

My topic is whether or not video games affect digital literacy and I believe they do. Before I started researching I thought that I would be alone on this issue but I found a lot of support. Many people agree that video games can have a positive effect on a person’s digital literacy and they also believe that video games have the potential to be part of a student’s education in the future. After seeing how many helpful articles there were on this subject, my research process just became a matter of choosing a few of them from the bunch. My argument will mostly serve to convince those against my views, and those undecided on the issue, that my points are valid.

Core 1

Hugo Azevedo
ENC 1102 Section 105
Jane Moody
2/9/10

I know that computers are relatively new technology but for me and other members of my generation we can’t remember a time without them. While we are supposed to coexist with computers, the truth is that we have come to rely on them like a crutch. I certainly don’t claim to be a technophobe, although I use computers everyday, I am still not the savviest computer user. Instead I would say that I am on that fine line between both ends of the spectrum.

The fact of the matter is that nowadays your worth in the world is directly related to your digital literacy. Digital literacy, as defined by Jones-Kavalier, represents “ a person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment” (Jones-Kavalier 1). This is why my relationship with technology can be diagnosed by the technologies I know now, the technologies I need to learn for my future career, and by my dependence on computers.

As far as technology goes I am not the most adept at it but I can handle my own. I have been using computers since I was a kid, so I am familiar with all of the basic software like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. I guess you could say that I am a “recreational” computer user because I am strong in the basics but as soon as anything unfamiliar comes my way I get a little bit lost. Lucky for me, just being able to use Microsoft Word was enough to get me through the first semester of college. This semester I am taking three online courses and it can be challenging for someone who is not too familiar with computers to navigate their way through the course. Most classes in college involve doing some out of class research and I could not imagine how painstaking that would be without computers. One of the earliest computer lessons I had in school was how to do research and look up information. So far, that has probably been the most useful. You might think that I am a proficient computer user but the sad thing is that for every one program I know how to use, there are countless others that I do not.

Despite my current experiences with technology there is so much I have to learn in order to become a Veterinarian. My dream job is to become a Veterinarian, which seems simple enough but in today’s world it also means learning some new technologies. When I was a kid I thought that all I would be doing is diagnosing animals and giving them medicine but I neglected all the things that came along with doing that. In order to become a Vet, I will have to learn how to use X-ray machines and MRI machines, I will also how to document information on computers so that I can look up the animal’s medical history. Although I am unfamiliar with these technologies, I am confident that I will be able to master them because of my experiences with computers and machinery. The scary part is that while I’m not that skilled in these technologies there are many people out there who are already familiar and frequently use these machines, which means that when we both compete for the same job, they will have the advantage. Some people are just naturally gifted with technology and in this day and age that entitles them to endless job opportunities.

Unfortunately for my generation, our blessing is also our curse. The fact that we grew up during the computer boom really established our dependency on technology. Joseph Johansen suggests that “ the imaginary line separating good and bad technologies has disappeared as the boundaries separating the human and the technological have similarly blurred” (DeVoss 191). We use computers to aid us but the fact is that they also inhibit us. As crazy as it sounds I rely so much on gadgets like the GPS that without it, I probably would not even be able to find my way home with a map. I don’t even want to think about what any of my papers would look like if I didn’t have spell check to save me. I don’t remember the last time that I manually capitalized the first letter in a sentence. That is the dangerous potential of addiction to technology; it helps us but also makes us dependent on it.

I guess in a way I have a symbiotic relationship with electronics because they are the digital crutches that I rely on everyday of my life. Technology even affects the way we communicate with each other through the invention of texting and e-mail, which, while very efficient, really affects how we interact with one another. Our dependency on computers is only increasing, as there are more advances in technology every day. We count on technology to make our life’s easier but it is sad that it has gotten to the point where our civilization would crumple if it were to all go away. The thing about technology is that the “new” thing is only “new” for a couple of weeks before it becomes outdated and the next big thing comes along. I still remember how much difficulty I had just switching from PC to a Mac. Computer technology is almost like a living organism that’s always changing. Honestly, the rate at which electronic technology is progressing, I’m afraid that I will not be able to keep up and that could almost certainly spell out the end of my future career.

I’m positive no one will contest the fact that technology has helped us monumentally but we need to control ourselves and not allow progress to consume us. I’m thankful for the way my life has been improved by computers but I’m worried about what the future will be like if I allow myself to stay on this path. The electronic industry is growing everyday and people are always craving new machines that will ease their lives, this is why I don’t foresee any change in our dependence on technology, myself included. Like all good things, technology should come in moderation.
















Works Cited
DeVoss, Danielle. "The Future of Literacy." Literate Lives in
the Information Age (2004): 183-210. Web. 10 Feb 2010.
Jones-kavalier, Barbara, and Suzanne Flannigan.
"Connecting the digital Dots: LIteracy of the 21st Century." Educause Quarterly 29. (2006): n. pag. Web. 11 Feb 2010. .

Audience Awareness

Developing audience awareness is essential to becoming a successful writer. According to Elbow, “audience awareness is fundamental because writers need to convince their readers to keep reading” (Wollman-Bonilla). Audience awareness is paramount to any good paper because without it, no one would be interested in what you have to say. Wollman-Bonilla applies her views on audience awareness to the development of literacy in children. Only through the understanding of audience awareness will a child grow into a critical reader and writer.

Hugo Azevedo & Alex Buser

core 1 part 2

My dream job is to become a Veterinarian, which seems simple enough but in today’s world it also means learning some new technologies. When I was a kid I thought that all I would be doing is diagnosing animals and giving them medicine but I neglected all the things that came along with doing that. In order to become a Vet I will have to learn how to use X-ray machines, MRI machines and also how to document information on computers so that I can look up a patient’s animal’s medical history.

I’m not the naïve kid I was back then who thought life was simple. I know it will be tough to learn to use all of these new technologies, especially since it’ll probably have changed by the time I finish Graduate school, but if that’s what it takes for me to follow my passion then that’s what I’ll do.

Core 1 Part 1

As far as technology goes I am not the most adept at it but I can handle my own. I have been using computers since I was a kid so I am familiar with all of the basic software like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. I guess you could say that I am a “recreational” computer user because I’m strong in the basics but as soon as anything unfamiliar comes my way I get a little bit lost. Lucky for me, just being able to use Microsoft Word was enough to get me through the first semester of college but I’m worried about what the future brings.

The funny thing about technology is that the “new” thing is only “new” for a couple of weeks before it becomes outdated and the next big thing comes along. I still remember how much difficulty I had just switching from PC to a Mac. Computer technology is almost like a living organism that’s always changing and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to adapt to it. I want to become a veterinarian and I can only imagine the machinery I’m going to have to familiarize myself with in the future. My goal in college is to be able to use computers more efficiently for work and research because that’s what they are here for anyway.

Promoting Digital Literacy

In an age where your success stems from your ability to use a computer efficiently, digital literacy is an important asset. Daniel Poynter understands this and he is trying to improve and promote digital literacy across high schools nationwide through his “Digital Literacy Contest”. This contest tests people’s abilities to pull information from the internet by asking them challenging questions that require proficient use of computers to answer. Poynter is directing his contest towards high school students because they are the next generation to go into the business world and it is imperative that they be able to do research and use the Internet efficiently. Lauren Kelleher, the author of this article, must agree with him because she deemed this issue important enough to write about. The world is changing whether we want it to or not and people out there like Daniel Poynter are trying to see to it that we are prepared for it.