Vanness Liu Draft 1

Why I Choose my Topic:

Because of how accessible technology is nowadays. 86% of American households have access to the internet. I decided to research how technology affects the way people socialize online and their ability to socialize.

Researching Questions: 

Main Questions: How does the internet affect our social abilities? [I think we need to take this a little deeper. Right now, this question is pretty easy to answer without doing much research. Are you thinking more about how our interactions online might affect the way we socialize with people offline?]

Sub – Questions: 

1. How does the internet let us connect with others? [I think this question is easily answered; and therefore, shouldn’t be something you focus for this project]
2. Is it easier to make new friends through the internet? [I also think this question is too subjective. Some people will say “yes” and others will say “no”. I don’t think there is a scientific way to prove one answer over the other.]
3. Does the internet strengthen our community as a whole?
   
4. How does it vary based on heavy internet users and average users?

Article 1: Wellman, Berry, et al. Does the Internet Increase, Decrease or Supplement Social Capital. 

https://www.mysocialnetwork.net/downloads/offprint/Does%20the%20Internet%20Increase,%20Decrease,%20or%20Supplement%20Social%20Capital%202001.pdf  

Summary: The internet does serve as an alternative to both face-to-face and telephone communication enhancing relationships both online and offline. [How does it do this?] It also allows people with similar interests to communicate regardless of the distance and time. This allows a stronger community. The Internet also promotes democracy by providing an easier way to spread and voice out their beliefs. [This is true in some places but not everywhere] The internet enhances face-to-face interactions as members are more aware of the others’ needs and likes (music, picture, organizations, etc). [Do you mean it enhances face-to-face interactions among strangers? Or among friends, co-workers, family, etc?]

Paraphrase: To see the effect of the internet we need to first understand what it was like without the internet. With a spatially dispersed community the internet serves as an additional way to communicate besides face-to-face and telephone. And during the period of decline in organization participation we see the internet serve as a solution to increase involvement. [Is this the original passage or the paraphrased version?]

Analysis: This article helps answer the third question regarding how the internet strengthens the community. We see how the internet allows others to broadcast their views and form or join organizations that share the same opinion. [This analysis section is very short and does not give specific examples of how this source will help you connect your ideas and strengthen your argument.]

Article 2:Nancy K. Baym, Yan Bing Zhang, Mei-Chen Lin. Social Interaction across Media: interpersonal communication on the internet, face-to-face and the telephone. [What year was this written?]

Summary: Based on a study on college students and the three forms of communion: online interaction, face-to-face, and telephone. While it concluded that while the internet plays an important role in their social lives, face-to-face and telephone still serves as the main way of communicating. [Interesting. Are these people communicating on the phone without using the internet?]We also see internet users more likely than non-users to spend time with friends or clubs outside. There are often misconceptions that the internet affects the ability of young adults to communicate in person which is not true as on average consistent users, while enjoying online social communication, still prefer face-to-face interaction.

Paraphrase: When determining how the internet affects someone’s social ability we also need to take into account how often they spend on the internet. There are heavy users, average users, and light users. Heavy users often spend less time with their family and prefer online interactions without seeing the other person. Average users and light users prefer face-to-face interactions or telephone. 

Analysis: This article is important because while it provides evidence to my research topic it also provides counter arguments. It also splits the internet users into three categories and this is important because it does affect their preference. 

You sources seem to point towards the notion that people who interact in online communities will have an easier time socializing in face-to-face settings. Is this the direction you want to go with your essay? If so, I think it can be an interesting project. You do need to review the assignment page though. Your entries are missing important information and your analysis sections are much too vague for me to understand how these sources will help you with your research project and essay.