I still am struggling to find the evidence that I really want to support my topic, but I’m also still very passionate and dead-set on the topic that I have. So yeah, Im in a bit of a tough place.
As far as a thesis goes, I imagine mine being along the lines of: “The development of the Internet and other communication technologies has dramatically impacted the way in which we write and express ideas. This change was taking place before the Internet, but its development has significantly altered its course.
I’d like to explore this argument in the following three ways using these three supporting claims:
– Writing and idea expression was already shifting towards a more simplistic and accessible standard prior to the introduction of the Internet.
– The Internet’s ability to share information made authorship a less exclusive title and diluted the talent of the general writing population.
– People’s desire for quick bursts of information has seen idea expression in the form of videos and pictures blossom on sites such as Tumblr, Instagram, and YouTube, while traditional writing (newspapers, novels) have largely struggled.
Suggestions for modification are greatly appreciated!
Hey Ben,
I love the idea of your thesis, but I’m not quite sure I understand which angle you’re trying to take with it. Are you against this shift in the way “in which we write and express ideas”? Also, even before the interent, many authors were published (or self-published) who weren’t necessarily talented. I think maybe the actual change here has been in the readership. That more people are reading stupid, pointless things because it’s harder to filter content quality online.
I think you can either make this into an essay about how the information that we get has changed over time, or about how the way that people write has changed. I think those are two different ways to look at your thesis, and I’m not sure which one you’re going for.
Hope what I’m saying is in any way clear and/or helpful. Good luck!
-pg
Loving your thesis-as I said before, I am interested in the evolution of technology in general (hence the pictures on my blog) and look forward to seeing what research you find. As for your argument though, are you pro or against the digital age taking over writing? If you find the change in how we write due to technology as a negative change, you have a lot to contend with-many sources I’m sure would support the claim that the digital age is enhancing and improving our writing and skills and that the internet is a world filled with a vast amount of info thus contributing to more and more possibilities for us to write about and express.
As for your three supporting claims/points-I love how distinct they are yet still intertwined and connected. I can see each of these ideas contributing to a hearty essay filled with many eye-opening ideas and views on the technology takeover.