Deepfakes and Digital Reality: How can we tell whats real in the age of deepfakes, and what should we do about it?

ENG 102- 11 Summer 1 – 2025 Research Writing Assignment Topic: Deepfakes and Digital Reality Top left corner of page 1: Student’s Name Class Instructor Due Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025 Assignment: In this research-based essay, you will explore the growing challenge of distinguishing truth from fabrication in the digital age. Using scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles as your primary sources, you will construct an argument around one of the following research questions: Choose ONE of the following topics: When Seeing Isn’t Believing: How can we tell what’s real in the age of deepfakes, and what should we do about it? Deepfakes and the Erosion of Reality: How can society combat the misuse of AI-generated media while protecting free expression? 📚 Research & Source Requirements You must use online academic journal articles exclusively (e.g., EBSCOhost, ProQuest). All quotations must be drawn from your own research findings. Each paragraph must feature 1–2 quotes, no longer than 4–5 lines each. Your paper must contain 2 half-page illustrations, graphs, charts, or pictures. ✒️ Formatting Guidelines (MLA Style Required) Length: 10 full pages (excluding Works Cited) Font: Times New Roman Size: 12-point Spacing: Double-spaced throughout Margins: 1-inch on all sides Header: Student’s last name and page number on the top right of every page Title and Heading: MLA format on page 1 (name, instructor, course, date) In-text citations and Works Cited page in proper MLA style Paragraph Length: Each paragraph should be approximately half a page Have a “Works Cited” page: At least 12 sources. Writing Goals Your paper should: Demonstrate critical thinking and nuanced understanding of your chosen topic Provide a clear thesis and well-developed supporting points Analyze how deepfakes affect social, ethical, political, or journalistic spheres Address real-world examples to support your argument Integrate carefully selected quotations within your own analysis Maintain a formal and objective tone suitable for academic discourse Evaluation Criteria (100 points) Category Points Strength of Argument & Organization 25 Quality & Integration of Research 20 MLA Citation Accuracy 15 Paragraph Structure & Quote Usage 15 Grammar, Style, & Mechanics 15 Overall Coherence and Insight 10 The articles has to be from google scholars and the works cited has to be 12 sources and each paragraph has to have one quote from an article. This is an first year undergraduate first year writing seminar course.