GST110: Seminar in Writing I
Major Essay II: Think Globally, Act Locally
The assignment:
• You have probably heard the slogan, "Think Globally, Act Locally" which refers to the idea that global
problems can be addressed only by considering ecological, economic, and cultural issues in local
surroundings. The implication of the slogan is that local action has the most significant impact.
• Technological advances have brought about the advent of the global market. Some years ago, some US
citizens were vocal about the importance of driving "American-made" cars to support the US economy.
Now companies like Toyota build cars in America, and the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Kentucky
supports US laborers. Even so, for every Toyota purchased wealth leaves the US because the largest
stockholders and corporate CEOs reside in Japan. Thus, the global nature of the market has made it
more complicated to try to support one's local economy.
• In this essay, choose one modern technology and reflect on both the local and the global impacts of this
technology's use.
• I am intentionally giving you a large amount of freedom with the thesis you choose to develop, but be
careful to craft a sufficiently narrow supportable thesis statement which is directly related to the local
and global impacts of your chosen technology.
Technical details:
• 4-5 pages in 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins
• An essay title which reflects your essay's thesis statement (not something like “Major Essay II”)
• This essay must reference the Thursday, April 17th 3:00 pm convocation by Bill McKibben, so you will
need to attend this convocation and take notes.
• This essay must reference at least four sources, including the required convocation. The other
references may be from essays read in class or from our text "Technology and the Future." All
referenced sources must be academically reputable. (Be very careful with Internet sources here--if you
are not sure if it is reputable, show it to me!) All citations must use the MLA style of reference.
• This essay is worth 20% of your overall course grade
Important dates:
• Monday, 4/14: Introduction of assignment, brainstorming, and initial drafting work
• Wednesday, 4/16 NO CLASS
• Thursday, 4/17 Attend required convocation by Bill McKibben
• Monday, 4/21: Full draft of essay due in Blackboard by 8:00 am
• Monday, 4/21: Peer-review and workshop in class
• Monday, 4/28: Final draft of essay due in Blackboard by 8:00 am
The grading:
• In addition to process, this essay will be graded in four areas: thesis, organization, support and
elaboration, grammatical conventions, and style. See the handout entitled "What are the Features of
Effective Writing?" for more details on what excellence means in each of these categories.
