Comparison of Carr and Pinker on the Effects of Digital Technology

Argumentative essays in English focus on giving a thesis, after which the writer expounds on the essay covering all aspects of the issue. The argumentative piece by the writer must display rhetorical effectiveness identifiable through analysis of the essays structure.

OK, could also cut this stuff
and usually avoid phrases like In this paper or For this assignment and instead just get to the topic
imagine a more general audience beyond the classroom
In this paper, the argumentative essays for consideration are articles by Carr and Pinker, who both offer arguments on digital technology and its effects on the individual. The two authors have different arguments on the same issue, thus, the ability to convince the reader depends on the argumentative approach by each author. The paper analyzes the arguments projected by each author and offers a position on which argument is most convincing; depending on the style analysis that considers the structure, language, style, and rhetorical appeals of pathos ethos and logos.
not bad here, even with this paper
I see you might be going for a business-writing styleCarr, Is Google Making us Stupid?(2008)
Nicholas Carr is an author who has dedicated his life to writing books and articles on business, culture, and technology. Carrs argument is that digital technology and specifically the internet is majorly a problem, though it may be providing a solution for students and writers. On structure, Carr starts his argument on a non-linear approach where he begins by referring to characters in Kubricks A Space Odyssey. The second paragraph has the author drawing a connection between him and the character from the Space Odyssey where Carr states that similar to HAL, he cannot feel his mind. At this time, the reader has no idea what Carr intends to discuss in his article, thus driving the reader to immerse further.actually you could skip this movie part, and instead just get to Carrs main ideas (for a more compact summary)The structure used in this article is one where the author offers the problem, then finds the source of the problem and expounds on it in his argumentative article.this is more helpful

Carr has a thesis statement from where he proceeds to offer arguments and support for his proposition. Carrs thesis statement comes in the fourth paragraph of his article that notes; the internet supplies the stuff of thought through the wide availability of previously scattered information, but it also shapes the process of these thoughts (Carr 376).
From the thesis statement, Carr continues to project his argument by offering a structural support for his thesis statement. He begins by expounding his argument that acts as a support to his thesis statement. Carr claims that the brains cellular structure adapts to how information is shared or stored. He proceeds to note that technology strengthens certain neural pathways, but also weakens other pathways. The altered cellular structures continue to shape how individuals think even when they are not using technology. The author does not only rely on his own perceptions or analysis to support his argument, but he goes further to consider what other researchers have found on the same issue, which forms part of his logos. He quotes Wolfuse full name for first mention
then comma after the namea psychologist from Tufts University who notes that individuals are no longer what they read, but also how they read. Other evidence in his argument comes from psychologists, researchers, and media scholars.good sense of his methods
so youre combining summary and analysis of style and method

On the ethos of the writer, he incorporates both formal and informal approaches in his article through a first person approach. Carr may lack authority on the subject he writes about since he has no background on technological matters, except that of being a writer. On pathos, Carrs audience is every user of the internet ranging from the youngest to the oldest. Still on pathos, Carr seeks to draw emotions from the reader by connecting himself to a character in A Space Odyssey. Such emotions are likely to influence the readers attitudes to the argument depending on what attitudes the reader has with regards to HALs character.yes, the movie reference does add some pathos
he uses a lot of ethos with his personal anecdotes and references to friendsPinker, Mind over Mass Media (2010)
Steven Pinker offers an argument that seeks to counter the argument extended by Carr with regards to how far mass media and technology influence the brains processing power. Pinker begins his article with a background on how other media in the past has caused moral panic. He begins with the television, newspapers, paperbacks, and the printing presses that were once seen as threats to consumers brainpower but are now viewed differently.i.e. he makes an analogy. we always worry about new technologies that later turn out to be benign. in May well do a unit on analogies in class