Nin 1

Daniel Min
ENGL 1101
Ms. Hinnant
19 September 2013
Social Takeover
Albert Einstein once said, It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has
exceeded our humanity. Although he was talking about the atomic bomb at the time, it is quite
nerve wrecking how true his quote is in todays society in regards to the Internet and the many
social networking sites that have risen up in popularity. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram all have such big influences on mankind today to the point where people would waste
their entire day away by staying on these sites. Coming from my own personal experience, I can
say that the Internet and its many different social networking sites have taken a huge toll in my
life. I can recall days where I would lay on my cozy bed, wasting hours away by stalking people
on Facebook and watching kids twerk on Vine and retweeting hilarious hashtags on Twitter.
Social networking sites quickly became a daily part of my life and slowly but surely, the Internet
began to take such an immense charge that it began to influence the way I read, write, and speak.
Who would have expected? Social media sites and the Internet affect what I read and the
way I read. Before being assigned this literacy narrative, I would not have anticipated that forces
such as social media sites would have any amount of influence on my reading. But after thinking
about my influences for reading, I realized that the Internet and even sites like Twitter have
been affecting what I read and how I read this whole time. Without even expecting it, friends on
Twitter or Facebook would post up comments about finishing a great book and would actually
draw my attention sometimes. As for the Internet and how it affects my reading in general, I
Beth 9/21/13 8:56 PM
Comment [1]: I think this is a ieally stiong
intiouuction. I ieally like the quote you chose!
Beth 9/21/13 8:56 PM
Comment [2]: I uon't know that I'u uiiectly
state that this is an assignmentit takes away
fiom the foimality of youi tone.
Beth 9/21/13 8:57 PM
Comment [3]: Like what. Can you think of a
specific time that someone posteu about a book
anu you then went on to ieau it.


Nin 2
know many others would Google the reviews of books online and that many are incapable of
picking up a new book if they did not see a review online first. I am exactly the same way and
without realizing it, I have been like this since almost 8
th
grade. Without my knowledge, I have
been relying on other peoples opinion and ratings to decide for me whether a book is worth
reading or not. It was as if I became a puppet, as I lost my freedom to even choose a book for
myself. Because of this habit, even to this day, I am not as accepting when it comes to looking
for a new book to read, as I always rely on the Internet or some person on Facebook or Twitter to
tell me which book is good. Not that I am thrilled or excited to pick up a new book to read
anymore. Nowadays when it comes to reading, a problem that I have is that I have no motivation
to read. After being on Twitter and Facebook for so long, I am accustomed to reading only small
meaningless posts that are quick and easy to read. The way I see it now is that I would rather
spend time reading statuses or tweets over the Internet than reading an actual book or novel. The
sad thing is, before I became connected with social networking sites, I was an avid reader who
would actually try to read whenever I had the time. However, after technology came sweeping in
with the latest smart phones and social networking sites, my hunger for reading dissolved away
with each tweet I tweeted. In a way, social networking has exceeded my passion for reading by
taking up my time, thus leaving me feeling negatively about reading and just indolent.
These social networking sites also seem to be a sort of plague when it comes to writing
for many people. One might think, Shouldnt people get better at writing since theyre writing
to people all the time over social networking sites? Well that would be true, if people were
using correct grammar and sentence structure, but that is not the case for most people. If one
were to scroll down my Twitter news feed, they would see than when its supposed to be
then, or u instead of you, and even made up words like boolin which is supposed to
Beth 9/21/13 8:57 PM
Comment [4]: Nice connection heie. I haun't
thought about this!
Beth 9/21/13 8:58 PM
Comment [5]: I think this paiagiaph woiks
well. Stiong connections thioughout.


Nin S
mean hanging out with someone. Sometimes for me, when I look through my Twitter feed, I feel
like I am constantly degrading my knowledge as I continue to scroll further down. After joining
these social networking sites, my grammar and writing have gone downhill from there. Even
during the SATs, I would catch myself using incorrect words such as gonna or even haha,
making me wonder, what happened to me? Once I realized the potential harm that these sites
were causing to my writing, I began to use only correct grammar and spelling at all times when
using these social networks. From doing so, I noticed less grammar errors in my essays and
never saw words like hafta or cuz again, showing just how big of an impact social
networking can have on ones writing skill.
One of the biggest factors that social networking has an influence on is communication.
After social networking came into our world, new words that were created by the media followed
right behind as they spread to these networks. Many of us know terms like yolo or started
from the bottom now we here that usually originated from music. But these terms took their
spotlight on sites like Twitter and began to be used daily as they went from simple lyrics to an
everyday term. It is frightening how social networking sites have the power to bring new words
to life, leaving those without any social networks lost and confused. Even when talking with my
older sister, who does not use social networks, I would use terms like yolo or call her a troll
and I would get the same response: a blank stare. I believe that social networking is tearing
language and communication apart as it continues to alter the English language. Not only is
social networking adding new words to our communication, but also it is deteriorating the need
for verbal communication. With the existence of social networks, I find it unnecessary to
personally approach someone face-to-face to tell them something. Instead of calling my mom to
check how she is doing, I pull up Facebook and shoot her a chat. Even when breaking up with a
Beth 9/21/13 8:59 PM
Comment [6]: An example might woik well
heie. Was theie evei a time that you actually
founu youiself getting woikeu up oi angiy with
the way people use language on Twittei oi
Facebook oi aie you just so accustomeu to it that
it uoesn't phase you.
Beth 9/21/13 9:01 PM
Comment [7]: Why uo you believe this. I'u like
to see you push youiself heie. Bon't you think
that we, as speakeis, make the iules of oui
language. Bas this uestiuction of language evei
foiceu you to consiuei leaving social netwoiking
sites.


Nin 4
girlfriend, I would not have to go up to her in order to do so. I can simply just pull up my Twitter
and tweet her that we are through and save all the tears and drama for later. Although that is not
something I would do, I am just pointing out that the possibilities for communication are endless
with the existence of social networks, thus ridding the necessity of face-to-face communication.
In a way, I feel that social networks are a potential threat to our society today. They leave
me feeling like our generation is inferior in knowledge to past generations. From my personal
experiences, I can honestly admit that social networking has degraded my passion for reading,
my skills in writing, and my need for face-to-face communication. This leaves me wondering,
Why do I continue to use social networks? I believe Ralph Waldo Emersons quote is perfect
for an answer: There are many things of which a wise man might wish to be ignorant. I am
just too attached to the social networking world, thus making me an ignorant man.

Daniel,
This is a very well done draft. For the most part the writing is great, you make clear points
and back them up with examples, and you do a great job engaging with your own voice.
Ive personally never taken the time to think about how social networks affect literacy
(which is strange, I know), and the points you make here really got me thinking! My only
real hope is that you keep pushing yourself in revision. Though most of the points you
make are clear and backed up, there are a few points that I think could use some more
expansion and critical thinking. Use the comments and questions Ive made in the margins
to keep pushing yourself. Nice job overall!




Beth 9/21/13 9:02 PM
Comment [8]: You aien't ignoiant if you can
aumit theie's a pioblem!