Ch 2 Notes and Exercises

Chapter 2: Thinking and Reading Critically
Reading Critically

• doesnt mean challenging or arguing every idea
•  comprehending, questioning, judging
• acess accuracy of facts
• are sources that writers uses appropriate?
• consider opposing arguments
• watch out for bias!

BEcoming an Active Reader

• be active, not passive reader; active reading=reading critically
• read, then re-read and highlight/annotate
• Reading
• focus on title, then first paragraph (thesis) then conclusion
• look at topic sentences of each body paragraph
• words and phrases that shape structure of argument

Comprehension Clues

• phrases that signal emphasis: "the primary reason" 
• repeated words and phrases
• words and phrase that signal addition: also, in addition, furthermore
• signal time sequence: first, after, next, then, finally
• identify cause and effect: because, as a result, for this reason
• signal comparison: likewise, simialaryl, in the the same way
• signal contrast: although, in contras, on the other hand
• signal contradiction: however, on the contrary
• signal moves form general to specific: in fact, specifically, in other words
• introduce summaries or conclusions: to sum up, in conclusion

Exercise 2.1

1. Jone's Thesis is that violent media is actually beneficial for children to partake in.  
2. One argument he uses is his own personal experience about how idolizing the hulk eventually helped discover his true self and launch a career path he dreamed of.  He uses the example of his son's intrigue in Tarzan and how it leads him to explore his abilities.  Another argument he uses to support his thesis is through his Power Play  program through which kids "improve their self knowledge and sense of potency."
3. The largest, most significant opposing argument Jones makes is that media violence has a harmful effect on kids, especially during the wake of so many school shootings.  He refutes this argument by providing evidence against through his own reasearch findings and through other examples that back up his research.  \
4. By sheltering children from the media violence, society is preventing them from discovering their emotions and dreams, thus we inhibit their ability to find their own sense of power.  

Ch1 Notes and Exercises

Chapter 1: The Structure of Argument

The Pillars of Argument

• ·      Argumentative essay: intro has thesis statement; body=supporting evidence; refutation of arguments against argument being made; concluding statements

Thesis Statement

• ·      One sentence; states position on issue
• ·      Argumentative essay=argumentative thesis statement

Evidence

• ·      Material that supports thesis
• ·      Ex: facts, statistics, observations ect.

Refutation

• ·      Acknowledge and refute opposing arguments
• ·      Show how they are false

Concluding Statement

• ·      Reinforce position
• ·      Restate thesis

First Source: “In Praise of Tap Water” from New York Times

1.  Restate the editorial’s thesis in your own words: It is essential that we ease up on our consumption of the water via water bottles because the amount of bottles we use has a negative impact on the environment.
2.  Restate the concluding statement:  Change will occur if we realize that we can save money and the environment if we make the switch from bottled water to tap water.
3.  The writer has several weak refutations. One opposing argument could be that there is a higher chance of harmful bacteria in tap water than in bottled water.  To refute this argument, one could find evidence that tap water is actually healthier because the materials used to make plastic bottles are more harmful to ones health than the natural bacteria in tap water.
4. The purpose of paragraph 5 is to add evidence that change is happening and beneficial to the environment and us.
5.     Arguments used in paragraphs 1-3:

·      Best public water supply

·      Using tap water is cost effective: yearly expensese add up to $1400 where as the price for the same amount of water in tap form would be only 49 cents.

·      Water bottles made from natural gas and petroleum

·      23% bottles actually recycled; the rest end up in land fills

Second Source: Poland Spring Water (picture) via polandspring.com

   The opposing arguments are that it is not 100% recyclable; there is too much plastic

thus its harmful to the environment; the bottle is not recycling-friendly; its too clunky,

thus its hard to carry.

Third Source: “Pure Water 2Go”

The argument that this picture is making is that if we use filter bottles instead

plastic bottles, the amount of trash collecting in landfills would be greatly

reduced.

1. 
   

Essay 1: Technology the Inhibitor: The Downfall of Human Interaction

Allie Cuccoli

ENGL 102-039

Causal Argument Essay

28 January 2013

Technology the Inhibitor: The Downfall of Human Interaction.

It seems that a majority of the population are proud owners of a fancy piece of technology.  Walking around places such as Boston, or on a college campus, individuals are engulfed in their iPads, laptop, or smart phones.  Over the last few years, this observation has become increasingly apparent wherever one goes.  However, what has become less noticeable are physical and verbal interactions in large group settings.  In social settings, individuals fail to start conversations with those surrounding them, and instead they opt to communicate with the world via technology.  Due to the improvement of technology and the increasing usage of these gadgets and the Internet, people have become less social; society is impeded from forming strong social connections and relationships on a physical, intimate and emotional level because of a disconnect from the physical world.

In order to form solid relationships, one must be actively engaged in their environment, and in the here and now.  It is much easier to meet new people, and maintain conversation with another person when the phone is tucked away.  The new digital tools are rather distracting and take people’s attention away from things that matter.  For example, in the article, “Your Life is Fully Mobile,” a survey conducted by Time reported that “48% said they spend too much time looking at their mobile device and not observing the world” (Gibbs).  Also, according to Angela Moscaritolo, the United Kingdom reported that data usage has risen dramatically, which indicates, “smartphone users are growing increasingly reliant on their mobile devices” (Moscaritolo). People are spending too much of their time honed in to their electronic devices, thus they are not immersing themselves in the surrounding environment. The first step to establishing social connections is to become aware of your surroundings and realize what is transpiring around you in that moment.  However, people are so enamored by their phones it has practically become an addiction that inhibits us from functioning socially.  Another shocking statistic from the survey is that 17 percent of the participants said that they “check their phone at every meal regardless of who they are with” (Gibbs).  Rather than socializing with those around them, people are more engaged in their conversations online than the conversations in the physical world.

            Along with this increasing dependence on smartphones and other digital tools to communicate, there has been steadily increasing amounts of people using the Internet and apps to access Facebook and other social networking websites to establish and maintain relationships. However, these websites are preventing members of society from forming intimate bonds with one another.  According to the article, “Me and my 400 Friends: The Anatomy of College Students’ Facebook Networks, Their Communication Patterns and Well Being,” intimacy is defined as “disclosure of private information requiring high levels of trust and confidentiality between partners” (Mango, Taylor and Greenfield).  Furthermore, intimate relationships are crucial in maintaining individual overall well being (Mango, Taylor and Greenfield).  Facebook and similar websites may offer more chances to meet new people, however these sites allow for the creation of passing, empty friendships and relationships.  According to the previously mentioned article, a study that was conducted produced the theory that “technology, like urbanization, will enable manifold instrumental relationships with relative strangers or superficial acquaintances” (Mango, Taylor and Greenfield).  Online social networking sites are a product of the improving technology, however, they are impeding peoples’ abilities to form close friendships or relationships with significant emotional connections.  In the article “Electronic Intimacy,” Rosen discusses the results of a meta-analysis of online dating.  According to the study, “people become cognitively overwhelmed when they search through hundreds of dating profiles.  To cope they ‘must objectify’ the people they are sizing up for some sort of emotional connection” (Rosen 1).  Society has easy access to the Internet via their phones, thus they can easily connect with other cyber users; however the best connections that occur are those formed through physical confrontation.

On the other hand, some may argue that technology has improved societies ability to stay connected even if thousands of miles separate individuals.  According to an article written by Gibbs, “in a poll conducted by Time Magazine, 73% of civilians in India said they feel more connected with their families, which was 21 points above the national average” (Gibbs).  Because of technological improvements, people are saying that they feel more connected to peers and family members who are distant. 

Although there are certainly more means of communication, these methods decrease the likelihood of forming meaningful and intimate relationships because there is no face–to-face contact. Face to face contact is vital when forming and maintaining a strong relationship with another individual.  It is possible to accurately interpret the tone of their voice, their body language and their eye contact to determine the strength of the relationship. Furthermore, it is untroublesome to convey the true meaning of one’s message via confrontation than via text messaging, Facebook chat or email; it is easier to understand the message because one can pick up on social cues through face-to-face contact.  However, technology acts as a barrier; it enables the user to hide behind a shield that prevents the true underlying message from being understood. In the article, “Friending, IMing, and Hanging out Face-to-Face: Overlap in Adolescents Online and Offline Social Networks” studies have shown that interacting online with friends limits opportunities for face-to-face contact (Reich, Subrahamanyam, Epsinoza).  Physical contact is the most crucial step in forming bonds of intimacy and trust in relationships, whether it is a familial, friendly or romantic relationship. Furthermore, it is much easier to convey messages in person rather than via text messaging, Facebook chat or email.  Without physical confrontation, communication is ineffective.

At first technology may seem as though it is improving the way society communicates, however it is preventing us from creating enduring, confidential relationships.  Smartphones, and other similar electronic devices are constantly being updated so that we can access our emails, and communicate faster with our peers.  People have immersed themselves in their devices so much that they have become overly reliant.  This dependency is serving as a distractor; people focus their time and attention on what’s occurring in the digital world on their devices rather than concentrating their attention on the physical world, where the real people are.  As a result of the improvement in technology, the Internet has become the home of famous and useful social networking sites.  Although these sites seem to connect the world and enable better communication, the emotional connections that solidify relationships are lost because of the lack of physical confrontation.  It is time for society to look up from their cellphones, put them away and say the words, “Hi there, how are you?” rather than texting the impersonal “hey! :)”

Works Cited

Gibbs, Nancy. "Your Life Is Fully Mobile." Time 180.9 (2012): 32-39. Academic  Search

Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.

Manago, Adriana M., Tamara Taylor, and Patricia M. Greenfield. "Me And My 400

Friends: The Anatomy Of College Students' Facebook Networks, Their

Communication Patterns, And Well-Being." Developmental Psychology 48.2 (2012): 369-380. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.

Moscaritolo, Angela. "U.K. Provider Sees Data Usage Double In One Year." PC

            Magazine (2012): 1. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 Feb. 2013.

16.1 (2013): 8-13. Academic   Search Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.

Reich, Stephanie M., Kaveri Subrahmanyam, and Guadalupe Espinoza. "Friending,

Iming, And Hanging Out Face-To-Face: Overlap In Adolescents' Online And Offline Social Networks." Developmental Psychology 48.2 (2012): 356-368.  Academic Search

Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.

Rosen, Christine. "Electronic Intimacy." Wilson Quarterly 36.2 (2012): 48-51. Academic   Search Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.