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The “Why I’m interested in my topic” section of the project Google Doc
“Where’s my thinking” update on Writing Partners (Feb. 19)
Summaries of my sources from my project Google Doc or from Writing Partners
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The “Why I’m interested in my topic” section of the project Google Doc
(see step 1 of the Week 2 assignment)
I'm interested in this as political polarization is something that has grown a lot over the last decade. Politics interests me, as well as the law, and currently, we see political polarization everywhere. It has divided America and has set the basis for just hate. You look at people who think differently and they are completely wrong because they don't agree with you. There are a lot of parts to politics, and polarization and how they come together.
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“Where’s my thinking” update on Writing Partners (Feb. 19)
Throughout my research, reading, and annotations so far, I have learned a lot. The first article I found mostly talked about how traditional media platforms have shifted to "opinions about the news" rather than the news itself, as it draws in viewers, and ratings go up. This means more money for the people behind the scenes. I also learned a lot about social media and the ways that it contributed to political polarization. Social media allows anyone to post anything, so the spread of misinformation is easier. People get stuck in echo chamber, which is where they hear only opinions that are similar to their own. I think that my inquiry will continue to focus on how political polarization and social media, but start to tie in traditional media more as well. Political polarization could be one of the biggest issues in America politically, and it has only skyrocketed over the last decade. It has divided the US, and if you don't agree with a sid,e then you are just incorrect in the views of those people. Overall, there is a lot to still learn, and things that we can do about political polarization, but if we want anything to change, then it will take everyone.
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They Say, I Say sentences
X argues that
Flavia Roscini argues that social media and traditional news outlets like Fox News and MSNBC increase political polarization by focusing on opinion-based content, which drives ratings but spreads misinformation and deepens division.
Roscini, Flavia. “How the American Media Landscape is Polarizing the Country.” Pardee Atlas, Boston University, 8 Sept. 2023, https://sites.bu.edu/pardeeatlas/advancing-human-progress-initiative/back2school/how-the-american-media-landscape-is-polarizing-the-country/#_ftn44.
Many people assume that
Many people assume that social media is just a neutral platform where users freely express their opinions. However, recent studies show that algorithms shape what we see and can actually push users toward more extreme views.
Howard, Philip N. “Is Social Media Fuelling Political Polarisation?” The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024, https://theconversation.com/is-social-media-fuelling-political-polarisation-232749.
When it comes to the topic of social media and political polarization, most of us will readily agree that platforms like Facebook, and twitter have changed how we get our information. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether these platforms help or harm democracy. While some are convinced that social media simply reflects already existing divisions, others believe that it is actively worsening polarization through echo chambers and misinformation.
“How Did Political Polarization Begin, and Where Does It End?” Duke University – Impact, https://impact.duke.edu/story/how-did-political-polarization-begin-and-where-does-it-end.
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Summaries of my sources from my project Google Doc or from Writing Partners
The article "How The American Media Landscape is Polarizing the Country" by Flavia Roscini goes through how social media and traditional news channels have increased political polarization in the United States. The author highlights that networks such as Fox News and MSNBC have started to focus more on “opinions of news” rather than the actual news itself. This attracts larger audiences, and ratings go up which means more money. The article also goes through the role of social media and how it facilitates misinformation. Traditional news channels are one way whereas in social media anyone can post anything making it 2 way.
The article “How Social Media Platforms Can Reduce Polarization” takes a different perspective on how we can solve our political polarization issue within the United States. It goes into why polarization is happening in the first place and different ways that we can combat it. It talks about how we are less polarized than we think but social media amplifies and makes it worse. The article then dives into different ways that we can combat this, such as by fostering more “positive interparty contact.” We can collaborate with researchers, design better user interfaces, and correct misconceptions are all ways the article says that we can combat political polarization within the United States. They made an interesting point about the EU Digital Servies Act which makes platforms accept responsibility for the content on their platform, how it impacts society, etc.
The article “Is social media fuelling political polarisation?” examines different studies and roles that social media has played in increasing political divisions. It talks about how platforms create “echo chambers” which is basically when you get stuck in hearing your own opinions. This reinforces people's existing beliefs. Another study also showed that being exposed to opinions from the otherside did not help polarization but actually made it worse. These platforms allow for the spread of misinformation by not really regulating what goes on. Research has found that algorithms prompt more inflammatory content which makes political polarisation worse in the end.
The article “How did Political Polarization Begin, and Where Does it End?” highlights the origins and the current challenges of political polarization. It goes into social media specifically and how that has increased division within the United States. It cites events like the Captial Riot in 2021 and it goes into how political opposiotion has evolved over the last little bit. A lot of people see that when Donald Trump came into the political world it became polarized but this article disagrees stating that we were polarized long before him and will be polarized long after him. The article mainly goes into different theories of polarization, and how in a free market, where anyone can say what they want, misinformation, and lies come with it.
The article “The Role of (social) Media in Political Polarization: A Systematic Review” goes into the rise of political polarization because of traditional news media as well as the spread of misinformation through social media. The article examined 94 articles or 121 studies that assessed the role of social media in affecting political polarization. They found that pro-attitudinal media makes political polarization worse. They also found that ideological and affective polarization is not measured or consistent. They suggest that more research is needed on this issue.
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Text of all my annotations
2025 Jack F : News channels are reporting less on news and more on "opinions" to garner people's attention, improve ratings, etc. Its all about rating and money
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Mar 7
2025 Jack F : Interesting point made that listening to contrary opinions actually polarizes more
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2025 Jack F : An interesting point of people's social identities has become more aligned with their political identities.
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Mar 7
2025 Jack F : The goal of the media is to outrage and spark fear as that's what draws attention. If you turn on the news, and everything is going great, no one is going to watch. Ratings will go down, and that means less money.
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Mar 7
2025 Jack F : Echo chambers are spaces that reinforce our opinions and "tell us how we are right"
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2025 Jack F : Social media allows people to create news unlike cable news which creates misinformation
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2025 Jack F : Social Media creates "filter bubbles" where you are more likely to see posts of your friends then other people
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2025 Jack F : Social Media = 2 way Cable news = 1 way
2025 Jack F : What would have happened if it weren't so polarized?
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2025 Jack F : Affective polarization is how those people with those who disagree (politically)
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2025 Jack F : Interesting point made that polarization is likely to rise when they encounter content with partisan cues
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2025 Jack F : Interesting..
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2025 Jack F : The goal is to press "emotional buttons" so then you get more of an engagement
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2025 Jack F : Most Americans think we are more divided than we actually are. Why?
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2025 Jack F : More interaction = like more
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2025 Jack F : Is this realistic though?
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2025 Jack F : How do you show we arent as polarized as we thought?
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2025 Jack F : Way that Europe combats polarization
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2025 Jack F : Interesting
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2025 Jack F : Why is this?
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2025 Jack F : Why is this personality trait correlated with it
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2025 Jack F : Dominance is key element in all of this
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2025 Jack F : Those who are hostile ar emore likly to be aggressive in person discussions
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2025 Jack F : Personalities as well as social contexts play a roll in political hostility
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2025 Jack F : Some people purposely outrage to generate clicks, etc
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2025 Jack F : Point
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2025 Jack F : Get isolaed into echo chambers where you only hear your own opinions
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2025 Jack F : Thats what you think would happen
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2025 Jack F : Interesting point in how claims produced by the other side reinforce partisans from each side. Makes you more seperated
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2025 Jack F : Strengethens what is already there
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2025 Jack F : How social media has been used in other ways politically
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2025 Jack F : Polarized long before Trump but maybe we didn't know it? Will be polarized long after
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2025 Jack F : Skeptical about truths ability to surface by itself?
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2025 Jack F : Social Media is a massive open marketplace for ideas which makes it hard to control/regulate
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2025 Jack F : Legitimate opposition is when political opponents allow each other to peacefully be challenged
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2025 Jack F : Lies and misinformation are just something that come along with a free marketplace where ideas are exchanged
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2025 Jack F : Separate the difference between the two
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General Document Comments 0
Questions for Exploration
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How do traditional media and social media each contribute to political polarization in America?
- This question digs into the differences and similarities in the ways both types of media amplify division. Your notes show a lot of curiosity about this overlap and separation.
- Interesting because it helps explain why polarization feels so strong today, and it could help readers understand what’s changing in the media landscape.
- Quotes:
- “The author highlights that networks such as Fox News and MSNBC have started to focus more on ‘opinions of news’ rather than the actual news itself.”
- “Social media allows people to create news unlike cable news which creates misinformation.”
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What role do algorithms and ‘echo chambers’ play in deepening political division?
- This question gets at the technology behind how we receive information and why people may feel more polarized than they are.
- It’s interesting because it highlights the hidden forces shaping our beliefs—something many readers haven’t thought much about.
- Quotes:
- “Social media allows anyone to post anything, so the spread of misinformation is easier.”
- “People get stuck in echo chamber, which is where they hear only opinions that are similar to their own.”
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Is the problem of political polarization in the US exaggerated, or are we as divided as we think?
- You seem to be questioning the narrative around polarization and wondering if things are as bad as they seem.
- This is interesting because it challenges common assumptions and could lead to new insights about how division is measured or perceived.
- Quotes:
- “Most Americans think we are more divided than we actually are. Why?”
- “How do you show we arent as polarized as we thought?”
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What are possible solutions or strategies to reduce political polarization in America?
- Your research asks not just about causes but also what can be done, referencing ideas from Europe and other places.
- This is interesting because it moves the conversation from observing a problem to taking action, which readers often find hopeful and engaging.
- Quotes:
- “It goes into why polarization is happening in the first place and different ways that we can combat it.”
- “Way that Europe combats polarization”
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How has political polarization changed over time, and what events or trends have accelerated it?
- You show interest in history—whether polarization is new or just newly visible—and how certain moments have made it worse.
- This is interesting because it gives context, and helps readers see the bigger picture, not just the current moment.
- Quotes:
- “A lot of people see that when Donald Trump came into the political world it became polarized but this article disagrees stating that we were polarized long before him and will be polarized long after him.”
- “Polarized long before Trump but maybe we didn’t know it?”
- Pick one of these topics that you feel most drawn to or curious about.
- Explain why you want to write about that topic—what makes it personal, important, or particularly interesting to you?
Up next: A Writer’s Think-Aloud will walk you through what it looks like to start developing ideas around one of these questions, showing you how a writer thinks on paper and raises new questions. This can help you understand your own thinking process as you write! Want to see the next section?
Try it yourself! These examples are just models—your own ideas and voice matter most. Choose a topic and begin your own exploration. We can’t wait to see what you have to say about your chosen topic. Start your composition right over there on the left side. Add to
A Writer’s Think-Aloud
- Let’s say I choose: What role do algorithms and ‘echo chambers’ play in deepening political division?
- As I sit down to write, here’s what’s happening in my head—a writer’s think-aloud:
- First, I ask myself: What exactly is an algorithm in the context of social media? Do I understand how it works, or do I need to research more? How can I explain this in a way that makes sense for any reader?
- I’m also wondering: Is it true that algorithms only show us things we already agree with, or are there exceptions? What evidence do I have from my sources?
- Next, I start to think about ‘echo chambers.’ How do I define that? Can I give a real-life example or a scenario to make it relatable?
- I ask myself: Why do people stay in echo chambers—comfort, fear, or something else? What are the consequences? Is it always a bad thing, or are there situations where it isn’t?
- I remember from my notes that “People get stuck in echo chamber, which is where they hear only opinions that are similar to their own.” That could be a starting quote or paraphrase for my draft.
- As I’m planning, I realize I should show both how algorithms create echo chambers and why that matters for society. Should I find data or a specific case study? Maybe mention a recent event or trend where this was visible?
- I’m also thinking about balance: Should I include a counter-argument or another perspective, like people who say echo chambers are overblown or not as powerful as we think?
- Finally, I want to end with a question or a statement that pushes the reader to consider their own online habits—like, “How often do you see views that challenge your own?”
So, a writer’s brain is full of questions, connections, and possibilities as they start. This helps the writing stay focused and deep, not just a list of facts.
Up next: MAPS—Mode, Media, Audience, Purpose, Situation. This section will help you consider what kind of writing you’re making, who it’s for, and how best to get your message across. It’s like a roadmap for making your writing effective and targeted! Want to see the next section?
Try it yourself! These examples are just models—your own questions and voice will shape your writing in unique ways. Pick a question from your list, start your own think-aloud, and see where your ideas lead. We can’t wait to see your work grow. Start your composition right over there on the left side. Add to Document, come up with a working title, and let it fly!
Would you like to see how MAPS could help shape your project?
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