Are social networking sites good for our society? Prepare to Review the Issue and Write an Argumentative Essay

Are social networking sites good for our society? By Dean Berry, Ed. D. This PowerPoint represents the first half of the lesson. Use the video version to view the complete lesson.

Evaluating Pro and Con Arguments A Common Core Lesson By Dean Berry, Ed. D. Gregg Berry, B. A. Common Core Curriculum Solutions

Common Core Reading Standards Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Writing Standards Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented

Evaluating Pro and Con Arguments for an Issue Prepare to Write an Argumentative Essay

Is social networking good for society?

Is social networking good for society? Let’s Think About the Issue Are people spending too much time on social media at the expense of quality interpersonal relationships? Are some people getting addicted to social media? Does social media improve communication between people? Does social media improve people’s productivity?

More Points to Be Considered Is social media harming individual’s privacy? Does social media result in the proliferation of rumors and false information? Does social media cause psychological damage to vulnerable personality types? Are people wasting valuable time on trivial communications using social media instead of studying, reading, or completing important work? Are automobile accidents increasing as a result of social media?

Is social media good for society?

What Do You Think?

What Do You Think? Raise Your Red or Green Card Social media is harming society.

Essential Questions to Guide our Review of the Issue 1. What does the research data say about the issue? 2. How do you know the research is reliable? 3. Are the arguments supported by logical reasoning? 4. Is each argument supported by specific facts and examples? 5. Which side of the issue is supported by a preponderance of the evidence?

Evaluating Evidence Now that we have shared opinions, let’s examine the evidence. Analyze the pro and con arguments on the following frames and determine which position presents the strongest case.

Is social media good for our society? Background Information 74% of American adults online use social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, as of Jan. 2014, up from 26% in On social media sites like these, users may develop biographical profiles, communicate with friends and strangers, do research, and share thoughts, photos, music, links, and more.

Are Social Networking Sites Good for Our Society? Proponents of social networking sites say that the online communities promote increased interaction with friends and family; offer teachers, librarians, and students valuable access to educational support and materials; facilitate social and political change; and disseminate useful information rapidly. Opponents of social networking say that the sites prevent face-to-face communication; waste time on frivolous activity; alter children’s brains and behavior making them more prone to ADHD; expose users to predators like pedophiles and burglars; and spread false and potentially dangerous information.

Review the Evidence and Arguments The Pro Position

Read each argument closely to see if it passes the smell test? The Pro Position Take careful notes as you read the following arguments.

Evaluating Pro and Con Arguments for an Issue Prepare to Write an Argumentative Essay

The Pro Position Reason # 1 Social networking sites spread information faster than any other media. Over 50% of people learn about breaking news on social media. 65% of traditional media reporters and editors use sites like Facebook and LinkedIn for story research, and 52% use Twitter. Social networking sites are the top news source for 27.8% of Americans, ranking close to newspapers (28.8%) and above radio (18.8%) and other print publications (6%). Twitter and YouTube users reported the July 20, 2012 Aurora, CO theater shooting before news crews could arrive on the scene, and the Red Cross urged witnesses to tell family members they were safe via social media outlets.

Reason # 2 Social networking sites help students do better at school. 59% of students with access to the Internet report that they use social networking sites to discuss educational topics and 50% use the sites to talk about school assignments. After George Middle School in Portland, OR introduced a social media program to engage students, grades went up by 50%, chronic absenteeism went down by 33%, and 20% of students school-wide voluntarily completed extra-credit assignments. A Jan study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology said college freshman should use social networking sites to build networks of new friends, feel socially integrated at their new schools, and reduce their risk of dropping out

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