Unit 1 Portfolio

 

1st Source: A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way - The New York Times

Analysis: Molly Young, a book critic for The New York Times, writes about a small store in Lower Manhattan dedicated to all different types of pencils that each serve a more literal but also figurative purpose.   

    Young likely focused on this small pencil shop in Lower Manhattan to write about because it's owned by "Caroline Weaver, a 24 year-old with a pencil tattoed on her forearm" someone passionate about pencils. Young gives people whether students or enthusiasts a new idea of pencils especially with the strong role technology plays in our lives and history. Young adds a meticulous tone to the article with understanding how personality might attract one to a certain pencil. The purpose of this shop is to bring a new light to pencils and their use not just writing on paper but also connecting with the community. Young writes in style to make the audience feel welcomed and intrigued in the shop and its purpose. 

    Young succeeds with this article by writing it in a specific but, fun tone as though she was the owner of the pencil shop herself. She intrigues the reader making them want to learn more about these different pencils all while, learning a deeper meaning on pencils in relations to technology. Why writing especially now is very important.

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2nd Source: What Students Are Saying About Learning to Write in the Age of A.I. - The New York Times

Analysis: Through this opinionated article, Bruni’s goal was to give to different and also sharing views of AI and the necessity of being able to write through the opinions of high school students. This source brings us to the larger questions we face now with AI taking over the way humans think and create new ideas. Reading these opinions coming from high school students shows how much technology has truthfully impacted the youth and their education, and how even being able to display multiple intellectual opinions in an article like this is important. 

    When it comes to influence, AI definitely influenced the genre of this article with AI forcing new opinions on how beneficial the tech really is in the education system. Including the perspective of the actual students who use it or have witnessed other students using it. Bruni overly succeeds with his goal while, refraining from bias as each student voiced opinions that were similar or very different. While, some students like Aiden at Ellisville believed, " You cannot depend on technology to do everything for you" others, like Sam from Hinsdale, IL believed " AI should be a tool for writers". 

3rd Source: The Importance Of Integrity In Personal And Professional Life

Analysis:  Rachel Burgess editorial article serves the purpose to not just give a definition of integrity but to show its principle. How integrity not only shows one's character but builds their moral values; whether they succeed in life (general guide of one's pathway in life). This editorial article is ultimately the opinion of Burgess published by BRAINZ. But it's a very universal and important opinion that we shouldn’t just bypass because integrity does play a huge role in our lives despite circumstances. Burgess begins the article emphasizing the idea that "Integrity, though often viewed as a simple word, carries immense power. It serves as a corner stone for building trust and achieving success in our lives."  

When it comes to writing and technology, integrity is very significant. Whether you're writing for high school or even papers in college. Integrity isn’t something that’s taken lightly. Personally, it's a core value that’s been instilled in my brain since middle school. So, when it comes to the use of AI and technology in our writing. It’s important to still hold these moral values in our writings and ideas.

4th Source: The Impact of AI in Advancing Accessibility for Learners with Disabilities | EDUCAUSE Review

Analysis: This informative article from Rob Gibson, an Associate CIO for Academic Technology and User Services at Emporia State University, begins with the argument that AI tech is beneficial for students with disabilities, specifically those that affect learning. Like being blind or deaf. Throughout the article he also names different apps and sites that have beneficial AI tools for people with disabilities. 

It’s important to note that Gibson likely wrote this article to inform students like me on the different uses of technology and AI, especially those who don’t suffer from a disability like his own hearing impairment. Despite the negativity around its use, it also has benefits to other groups of people that will use it for the better and not for worse. One example of an app where AI is used to help with writing and understanding is “Navilens” which “assist people who are blind or have low vision… to locate products among dense shelving and read the instructions for use of a list of ingredients.” This is a small detail in the lives of those with vision but, something big for those with none or really little, it's important that AI can be used in a way like this to help with understanding and reading of words.

Ultimately, AI and technology definitely influenced the genre of it being an informational text. AI has cautious aspects that lack integrity. However, AI can also help make people's lives more accessible. Overall, Gibson succeeded with this informative article.