In Is Google Making Us Stupid, Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet impedes how we intake information which in turn hinders our desire of actually learning.

• The first sentence sets up the article, the author, the argument.• Notice the way the first sentence sets up the key facts• If you have a really long title, you don’t need to include it. In this case, the

title is interesting.• You might say, “In his examination of the effects of Google, Nicholas Carr . . .”• Don’t say “In this article.” “This article says.” Be more specific. Think of your

reader.• A bad sentence would say, “Nicholas Carr writes about technology.”

In Is Google Making Us Stupid, Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet impedes how we intake information which in turn hinders our desire of actually learning. Carr suggests that such a savvy search engine can further what we have already learned. However, he goes in to detail about how we solely rely on Google, instead of taking the time to enjoy absorbing material. Carr compares how he used to obtain information by declaring, “Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.” Moreover, he mentions his own experiences with the Internet’s accessible and misleading traps, such as hyperlinks and flashy ads, which can divert ones attention from reading. With this he describes himself as having been at complete loss when it comes to reading material in comparison to skimming and scanning more condensed versions over the web. Furthermore, not only does he refer to his own experiences, he also cites studies, media scholars, and psychologists that all agree that technology has changed the way we think. For instance, neuroscientist James Olds claims the brain changes easily and that technologies like Google can alter our perception. Carr then implies that with the introduction of technology such as the typewriter and the clock, we had to learn to utilize it. Although he claims such new technologies could very well be the reason why one can become lethargic and easily distracted, he concludes by stating “… as we come to rely on computers to mediate our understanding of the world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence.” Put simply, Carr admits that technology is not really to blame but it is the consumers who rely on it.

Notice what this does not do:• There’s no first person• There’s not a wasted sentence.• There’s few week verbs

In Is Google Making Us Stupid, Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet impedes how we intake information which in turn hinders our desire of actually learning. Carr suggests that such a savvy search engine can further what we have already learned. However, he goes in to detail about how we solely rely on Google, instead of taking the time to enjoy absorbing material. Carr compares how he used to obtain information by declaring, “Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.” Moreover, he mentions his own experiences with the Internet’s accessible and misleading traps, such as hyperlinks and flashy ads, which can divert ones attention from reading. With this he describes himself as having been at complete loss when it comes to reading material in comparison to skimming and scanning more condensed versions over the web. Furthermore, not only does he refer to his own experiences, he also cites studies, media scholars, and psychologists that all agree that technology has changed the way we think. For instance, neuroscientist James Olds claims the brain changes easily and that technologies like Google can alter our perception. Carr then implies that with the introduction of technology such as the typewriter and the clock, we had to learn to utilize it. Although he claims such new technologies could very well be the reason why one can become lethargic and easily distracted, he concludes by stating “… as we come to rely on computers to mediate our understanding of the world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence.” Put simply, Carr admits that technology is not really to blame but it is the consumers who rely on it.

Notice what this does do:

• There is a level of critical distance. The author is not injecting her own opinion here.• It uses strong verbs• It uses transitions• It uses good quotes. But it doesn’t overquote. The two quotes give a good sense of the article.

Carr suggests that such a savvy search engine can further what we have already learned. However, he goes in to detail about how we solely rely on Google, instead of taking the time to enjoy absorbing material.

• The following sentences continue to establish key points that Carr makes.

• Weak summaries spend four or five sentences on the first page.

• Encompass the whole of the article. Break down his points into your own words.

Carr compares how he used to obtain information by declaring, “Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.”

• Notice the use of a good solid quote. This quote is effective, because the language is interesting.

• Also notice the way that the author has introduced it. Not just “Carr writes . . .”

• Also notice the effective use of verbs: See They Say, I Say pp. 37-38.

Moreover, he mentions his own experiences with the Internet’s accessible and misleading traps, such as hyperlinks and flashy ads, which can divert ones attention from reading. With this he describes himself as having been at complete loss when it comes to reading material in comparison to skimming and scanning more condensed versions over the web.

• Now we’re getting further and deeper into the article.

• Notice the way this quote builds on the last one.

• There are transitions.

Furthermore, not only does he refer to his own experiences, he also cites studies, media scholars, and psychologists that all agree that technology has changed the way we think. For instance, neuroscientist James Olds claims the brain changes easily and that technologies like Google can alter our perception.

• What we’re seeing here is the kinds of evidence that the author uses to make his point. This shows the strengths of the article.

• It’s not just his experience – other experts speak about this as well.

Furthermore, not only does he refer to his own experiences, he also cites studies, media scholars, and psychologists that all agree that technology has changed the way we think. For instance, neuroscientist James Olds claims the brain changes easily and that technologies like Google can alter our perception. Carr then implies that with the introduction of technology such as the typewriter and the clock, we had to learn to utilize it.

• We’re getting more examples, specifics, and ideas. And it moves from issues of the scholars to the bigger issues.

• At this point, we have the so what.

Furthermore, not only does he refer to his own experiences, he also cites studies, media scholars, and psychologists that all agree that technology has changed the way we think. For instance, neuroscientist James Olds claims the brain changes easily and that technologies like Google can alter our perception. Carr then implies that with the introduction of technology such as the typewriter and the clock, we had to learn to utilize it. Although he claims such new technologies could very well be the reason why one can become lethargic and easily distracted, he concludes by stating “… as we come to rely on computers to mediate our understanding of the world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence.”

• Another quote. See how it builds on the last point about what technologies do?• The quote is effective and interesting, since it builds on the point that

“technology changes the way we think.”

Put simply, Carr admits that technology is not really to blame but it is the consumers who rely on it.

• This ties together a few threads (what technology does, our relationship with technology, the problems with technology in society).

• The last sentence concludes the summary, ties it together, and ends the key points that the author makes.

• It’s a little bit reductive, but it’s hard to do this kind of writing, and overall it works.

In Is Google Making Us Stupid, Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet impedes how we intake information which in turn hinders our desire of actually learning. Carr suggests that such a savvy search engine can further what we have already learned. However, he goes in to detail about how we solely rely on Google, instead of taking the time to enjoy absorbing material. Carr compares how he used to obtain information by declaring, “Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.” Moreover, he mentions his own experiences with the Internet’s accessible and misleading traps, such as hyperlinks and flashy ads, which can divert ones attention from reading. With this he describes himself as having been at complete loss when it comes to reading material in comparison to skimming and scanning more condensed versions over the web. Furthermore, not only does he refer to his own experiences, he also cites studies, media scholars, and psychologists that all agree that technology has changed the way we think. For instance, neuroscientist James Olds claims the brain changes easily and that technologies like Google can alter our perception. Carr then implies that with the introduction of technology such as the typewriter and the clock, we had to learn to utilize it. Although he claims such new technologies could very well be the reason why one can become lethargic and easily distracted, he concludes by stating “… as we come to rely on computers to mediate our understanding of the world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence.” Put simply, Carr admits that technology is not really to blame but it is the consumers who rely on it.

Notice the outline here:

1. Starts with a description of the main point of the article.

2. Goes into key details (quotes, evidence)

3. Goes from his experience to the evidence he cites.

4. Goes into the So what

5. Concludes by tying together the key points.