My Argument Analysis

Michael Talbott

Dr. Steven Brandon

English 112 – 08PR

24 February 2012
                                                             Argument Analysis


In the opinion piece, “Technology: Good or Bad for Today’s Youth?”, taken from a blog on the website www.teenink.com, the author argues that technology is becoming the only way to communicate with today’s youth and that it is having a negative effect on social interactions. The author named Amie has an effective argument. She gives many reasons for her argument and uses the pathos appeal well in her argument. I identify with many of the reasons she gives in the piece. I agree with her opinion that technology has disconnected youth from social interaction. The art of conversation has been lost to computer and phone interaction.

Her first reason is, “Internet users spend thirty four minutes less than non-internet users with friends and family.” This is her use of Logos. She has taken facts found from a poll that has been conducted. I believe this is her weakest use of the rhetorical appeals. Thirty four minutes is not a lot of time. I believe the better way to prove her argument would be from phone records. Look at minutes used actually talking to someone and then look at how many text messages have been sent. She doesn’t use logos to her advantage in this article. She gives us weak facts found from a poll. Her use of logos is not convincing.
The next reason she uses is much more effective. Amie claims, “Teens text while talking to someone else, at the dinner table, in the car if driving or not, at the movies, and worst of all church.” Her use of pathos drives home her argument. She uses emotional appeal very well. This simple statement is going to spark an emotional response with various types of readers. It’s offensive for a person to play with their phone in the middle of conversation. Even more offensive for someone to put lives in danger by texting while driving. Her use of religion in the topic is very effective. It brings the religious community into her argument. She will have their support because she makes a legitimate claim of technology taking away from the “word of God”. Her use of ethos is her most powerful argument. It worked on me. I can identify with the author because I have been in conversations with someone on their phone it is very offensive. Her claims using ethos are powerful because she makes you identify with them.

Another thing to consider would be the ethos appeal of her argument. Her argument is posted on a blog. Anyone can post on this blog. Her structure and spelling are not the best. The simple fact is that because of these small errors some people will not read this argument. They would feel that it is not an academic or professional writing. This takes away from her reputation and credibility. If you care about sentence structure and grammar as some people do, then this argument would be disregarded by those people. It is not an academic writing.
Amie also identifies her counterargument and makes a concession in her article. She names many ways in which technology is useful. She makes the argument that technology is a great way to stay in touch with old friends. By hearing the other side of the argument it makes her argument more effective. She concedes to the qualities of technology. But the negative effect it is having on today’s youth is apparent. The upside of technology does not do anything to lessen the strength of the argument that technology has become the most common way kids communicate.

In conclusion, Amie has made a strong argument on the negative effects of technology on today’s youth. Her use of the ethos appeal is powerful. It makes the reader identify with her frustrations. I have sided with her on this argument. She has convinced me by making me identify with her. Although the article is short and not well written it is still very effective. I am convinced that technology has disconnected youth from social interaction. I believe that my generation and even more so the generation behind me has become socially awkward. Amie has made a valid and strong argument.