Paper 3

Research Question: Does social media increase or decrease self-esteem in young adults? Thesis: Social media lowers self-esteem in young adults because it leaves them to constant comparisons, unrealistic beauty standards, and dependence from outside opinions for validation. Topic sentence for section 1: social media can decrease self-esteem by encouraging constant comparisons with romanticized versions of others lives shared online. Topic sentence for section 2: social media platforms display sorts of unrealistic beauty standards through things like editing, filters, or viral trends that create a false sense of reality. Topic sentence for section 3: The engagement features on social media, such as likes, comments, and shares can start to develop a dependence on those interactions that can decrease a young adults sense of self-worth or confidence. Counterargument Thesis: Although some argue that social media can increase self-esteem by offering support and connection, it ultimately decreases self-esteem in young adults due to the constant comparisons, unrealistic beauty standards, and dependence on outside validation. Paper 3: Using Research to Persuade Use research to support a persuasive argument about one specific way our smartphone and/or social media technology is affecting society. In this essay, you will take a stand on an issue, offer reasons and evidence in support of your position, and summarize and respond to alternative views in order to bring your reader to a logical conclusion. The quality of your research will be integral to the quality of your essay in using both peer-reviewed, academic sources and other quality sources found online. Therefore, make sure you understand how to avoid plagiarism and the MLA citation style included in all the units this term in order to prepare for this paper assignment. Topics: The topic you choose should explore an area of interest to you, answering a specific question about how smartphone and/or social media technology is affecting that field. This area of interest might be related to your career pathway, or it might simply be a topic you are passionate and curious about. Whatever you choose to research, you will definitely need to narrow your focus as you begin creating your outline and searching for articles. Because this type of technology is so pervasive in our society, the possibilities for this project are wide open. You might choose to write about the impact social media is having on our political views, or you may want to consider the way bystander smartphone videos are changing the way we fight crime. You could dig into the effect early exposure to screens is having on preschool children or the way dating apps are altering the love lives of the elderly. The potential topics are truly endless, so be bold and creative in coming up with your research question. You are encouraged to work together with your classmates and instructor to refine your topic before committing to it. Sources: You will be required to cite and implement at least FIVE sources for this essay broken down in the following way: Identify at least two current articles published within the last few years in credible news sources Use at least three peer-reviewed journal articles, located with the library databases Use at least one of your sources to support a counterargument Key Requirements: This paper must adhere to MLA style formatting and citation style This paper must be at least 1000 words long and make use of the specific types of sources detailed above; there should be at least five items on your Works Cited page You need to address a possible counterargument to your thesis Make sure to upload each assignment as a Word document (.doc or .docx) by the deadlines for full credit