Missouri University of Science and Technology

English 60: Writing and Research

They Say/I Say

Once you have accessed this worksheet, click "File" and "Make a copy" to edit. Then, submit to the
Canvas assignment as a Word or Google doc. (If submitting as a Google doc, make sure that your
professor is shared as "can edit")

As we continue to think about scholarly communication as a lively and ongoing exchange of ideas, it
is time for us to practice contextualizing and responding to participants in the conversation into
which we are joining. This is what a “synthesis” paragraph does. The Seven Steps to the Synthesis
Paragraph sets us up to weave together different voices in a conversation (be sure to check that
out!), and the following “They Say/I Say” practice will give us the language that will help us
formulate our responses clearly and effectively. We must be careful to use our sources’ claims in
context, and respond in a way that acknowledges the validity of certain points made by the author,
but persuades the reader to side with our own interpretation of the issue.

For this exercise, observe the debate about ethical codes of robics that was played out in Science
Magazine. Then, fill out the blanks below in order to contextualize, and then to add your own voice
to, the conversation.
● Noel Sharkey, “The Ethical Frontiers of Robotics”
● Goodman and Einspruch, “The Way Forward in the World of Robotics”
● Guo and Zhang, “Robot Rights”

In the recent discussions of ____Robots interacting with

humans________________________________________________

a controversial issue has been whether ________robots deserve human

rights__________________________________

On the one hand, some argue that _________there is a need for robots to be able to do things

humans can’t, without bias, like nanny children and rescue noncombatants

____________________________________

From this perspective, _____________robots are an opportunity to improve many fields including

weapons and child rearing._________________________________________

Jossalyn G. Larson
larsonjo@mst.edu
Missouri University of Science and Technology
English 60: Writing and Research

On the other hand, however, others argue that ____________the laws and ethics are not well

written enough for the robots to be safe________________________

In the words of ________________jennifer sills________________, one of this view’s main

proponents, “_______________the international communitiy has not yet released a code of ethics

__________________________________________________________”

According to this view, ________there are ethical problems with robots interacting with the new

generations and there are concerns with how robots will interact with society.

_______________________________________________

In sum, then, the issue is whether ____________laws can be agreed on in order to have a code of

ethics for robots__________________________________

or ___________________robots are not yet ready to be integrated into human society specifically

in child raising. ____________________________________________________

N.B. The synthesis section of your paragraph should present evidence only. Leave your opinion and
analysis of the evidence for the Discussion/Conclusion section of your paper. When you’re ready to
write that discussion, however, you could use language like the following to provide your analysis.
Practice that analysis by finishing the following lines according to your reading of the sociable robots
papers.

My own view is that _______robot nannies would create more interesting mental problems than my

generations__________________________________________________

Though I concede that ________robot nannies could probably be able to reduce atleast a little of

the child abuse statistics, and could be used instead of humans in dangerous situations like rescuing

civilians ______________________________________________

Jossalyn G. Larson
larsonjo@mst.edu
Missouri University of Science and Technology
English 60: Writing and Research

I still maintain that ____creating an option to leave children with robots legally would most likely

lead to more irresponsible parents and neglected children.

___________________________________________________

For example, __parents who would not have had children if not for that option

_____________________________________________________________

Although some experts might object that___robots nannies might be better than abusive

parents _____________________________________

I would reply that ____just don’t have children then, overpopulation is already a

problem________________________________________________________

The issue is important because __the ethics of robots is a topic that will continue to come

up as technology advances, and the ability to do jobs that are physically dangerous for

humans makes robots in society a very attractive opportunity.

_____________________________________________

Jossalyn G. Larson
larsonjo@mst.edu