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CBA Prometheus Project

Writing Template

 

The Rough Draft

 

By responding to these questions in generally this order, your responses will add up to the makings of a strong first draft. To make it work, answer in complete sentences. Use supporting examples and concrete details wherever possible. After you have finished, go over what you wrote and smooth out and connect the sentences so they make sense. In general, don’t mimic the question in the answer; instead write strong direct original responses that don’t sound like repeats of the question.

 

I. First Paragraph:

 

  1. What is the most interesting thing you discovered about your technology or system of ideas in your research? Consider it for your lead sentences, as a dramatic or arresting opener.
  2. Why is this technology or system of ideas significant? Interest your reader!
  3. What is the background of your thesis? Supply enough so your thesis comes out of a context of support.
  4. What is your thesis? Let ‘em have it!
  5. Add to your general support by giving a preview of the strongest arguments you have.
  6. Transition to body paragraphs.

 

II. Paragraphs 2 + : The background of the technology or system of ideas:

 

  1. What were the preconditions of the change? How did people do things before the change? Where and when did all this take place? What was going on then that made this change a likely event?
  2. What was the genesis of the change? How did “necessity become the mother of invention,” if it did? What needs were perceived that were fulfilled by the technology or system of ideas? What sparked the idea?
  3. What were the origins of the technology or system of ideas? Who created it? Why?

 

III. Next paragraph(s): Development:

 

  1. What was the process of the development of the technology or system of ideas? Why did it catch on?
  2. What contributed to its growth? What were its successes in the early going; what were its observed potentials to make change in the world? In other words, what did people see in it that made it promising?
  3. How does it function? What does it do? Why is it considered “progress?” What are its features, characteristics and component parts? What are its powers and potentials?

 

IV. Next paragraph(s): Costs and Benefits:

 

  1. Name and explain the positive benefits that have come from this new technology or system of ideas. These benefits could be in the social, political, economic, cultural, environmental or other areas. (It does not have to be all of those areas. Explain the most important benefits in the most logical areas – not every technology has significant effects in all those areas.)
  2. Be sure to explain the degree of significance of these effects. Just how important were they? Support your point of view with examples.
  3. Name and explain the negative effects of the technology or system of ideas. Put them in a context of why they could be seen as negative. Be specific and use examples. These negatives could be in the social, political, environmental, economic, cultural or other areas, but again, you do not have to explore them all – just the areas that mattered most in terms of your technology or system of ideas.
  4. Again, be sure to explain the significance of these negatives and positives. This job calls for some evaluation and judgment from you: What’s your opinion on this question? Have the benefits of this technology or system of ideas been worth the costs? Why or why not? Be specific.)

 

V. Next paragraph(s): Human Capital:

 

  1. What were the effects of your technology or system of ideas on the knowledge, skills or experiences of people in the society? For example:
  2. How did the technology or system of ideas change what people knew, or knew how to do, in terms of skills, general knowledge, capacities or abilities? How did it change the level of education of the people, and which segments of society did it affect most?
  3. How did the technology or system of ideas change the quality of life? How did it change people’s world view and attitudes? How did it change our concept of who we are as a people?

 

VI. Next paragraph(s): Significance:

 

  1. How important or significant do you feel the effects of your  technology or system of ideas have been for society?
  2. Specifically, how has your technology or system of ideas affected the world we live in today? Make some modern connections and links, and use examples.
  3. What might be different today if this technology or system of ideas had never been developed? Would that be good or bad? Explain.

 

VII. Conclusion:

 

  1. Sum up the evidence and information you have presented.
  2. Explain why the whole topic is interesting and significant.
  3. What implications can you draw from your conclusions? That is, what does your paper tell us about other related issues, if any?
  4. How do they prove your thesis?
  5. Review and restate your thesis in different terms.
  6. Concluding remarks, such as general comments on the effects of new technologies and systems of ideas.