Presenting an Argument …… In 6 easy paragraphs

Introductory Paragraph Attention-grabbing Hook Everyday in America, millions of innocent children are victims of abuse. Not at the hands of heartless adults, but in the grips of soul-less electronics. Brief history of the topic Since the late 1970’s computers have become a valuable part of American life. Since that time, technology such as cell phones and tablets have flooded the American home. These devices have become vital to adults, yet have come to hurt young people in many ways. Preview of 3 Reasons Media abuse leads to unhealthy habits, cyberbullying, and screen addiction. Thesis Statement The facts are clear, technology has become harmful in the lives of teens.

All Parts working together is COHESION Body Paragraphs All Parts working together is COHESION Topic Sentence Fact 1 and source sentence Commentary Sentence – Connection to topic Fact 2 and source sentence Commentary Sentence- Connection to topic Fact 3 and source sentence Commentary - Connection to topic Transition

Body 1 Overuse of technology is causing teens to be physically and emotionally unhealthy. According to Denise Mann of WebMD, too much video gaming can lead to the mental health problem of depression. Depression can then lead to social phobias or fears. In addition to depression, Scope Magazine’s Are You a Screen Addict? states that too much screen time leads to obesity. Obesity is a health problem that can lead to other problems like diabetes. YOUR TURN : Transition word, Fact, Source, and Commentary relating to health Screen time leads to teens hurting their own health, but it also makes it easier for them to hurt others through cyberbullying.

Body 2 Technology has become harmful in the lives of teens because it contributes to cyberbullying. Scope Magazine’s Is Facebook Making You Mean? said that 58% of teens have been bullied online. This shows that cyberbullying isn’t just happening to 1 or 2 kids; it’s a real problem. The same article also states that technology takes away the “subtle emotional signals” that tell us when we have hurt someone. It is easier to cyberbully when you can hide behind a screen or username. YOUR TURN – 1. Transition, cyberbullying fact, source sentence followed by a 2. commentary sentence. YOUR TURN – Transition from cyberbullying to next paragraph on screen addiction.

Body 3 With so many screened devices in our lives, it is easy to see how kids can become screen addicts. Scope Magazine February 20, 2012 published the startling fact that kids spend more time in front of a screen than sleeping. When one activity controls that much of a person’s life; it is an addiction. YOUR TURN – Transition, screen addiction fact, source sentence followed by a commentary sentence. YOUR TURN – Transition from screen addiction to next paragraph on benefits of kids and technology.

Opposing Viewpoint Paragraph In this paragraph you will recognize the other side of the argument and then explain why the opposing view has flaws or weakness. The structure for this paragraph is: Topic sentence Opposition’s point 1 How you agree with it How you disagree with it Opposition’s point 2 Opposition’s point 3 Conclusion

Opposing Viewpoint Paragraph Topic Sentence Technology has made our lives easier so it is easy to see why people might think technology is not a problem for kids. Opposition’s point 1 According to ParentNetwork.com technology like Facebook helps kids form healthy relationships. How you agree It is true Facebook is a wonderful way to communicate with friends and family who live far away from one another. How you disagree However, even though many interactions on Facebook are positive, the staggering negative statistics about cyberbullying on Facebook show it to be far from promoting healthy relationships. YOUR TURN Opposition’s point 2 ( Fact and source) On the other hand, Opposition’s point 3 (Fact and source) In contrast, Conclusion

Restate your thesis using different words. Conclusion Restate your thesis using different words. As I have illustrated, technology has many hidden dangers for teens Restate your 3 reasons in a sentence . Health, Cyberbullying, Screen addiction Make a connection with the reader. So the next time…