Practical Argument: Exercises

"Violent Media is Good for Kids" 

Exercise 2.1

Identifying the Elements of Argument

1.      Thesis: Violent media can have positive effects on children; allowing them an outlet to deal with the loneliness and inferiority of childhood.

2.      Evidence:

-          Superhero stories helps kids negotiate the conflicts between the inner self and public self as they work through the early stages of socialization.

-          Identification with a rebellious, even destructive, hero helps children learn to push back against a modern culture that cultivates fear and teaches dependency.

-          Gives children a tool to master their rage

3.      Counter Arguments:

-          He states the viewpoint that violent media contributes to violence in society.

-          He easily refutes this argument by then stating that it has just as well helped hundreds of people for everyone its hurt, and that it can help far more if we learn to use it well.

4.      Conclusion: In an attempt to shelter our children from the violence within the media, we are taking away their power and selfhood, instead it should be encouraged.

Exercise 2.8

-                According to Gerald Jones, violent media can actually have positive effects on young people because it gives them an outlet in dealing with the loneliness and inferiority of childhood. Jones also believes that violent media are a positive influence on children because of the role superhero and villain stories play in helping kids deal with inner conflict and fear. Jones makes some good points. For example he says that Identification with a rebellious, even destructive, hero helps children learn to push back against a modern culture that cultivates fear and teaches dependency. However, violent media does have the power to contribute to violence in society if not used well. All in all, instead of sheltering our children from the media, we should instead show them the positivity that can derive from its exposure.

 "The Wife-Beater"

 Exercise 12.1

Identifying the Elements of an Argument by Definition

1.       The popular clothing item- the wife beater is an offensive term in aspect of origin and definition.

2.      Stereotypes of men wearing this style shirt as wife-beaters, teaches the wrong thing about men, associated with gay and gang subcultures and rap music, it is unsure the origin of the name.

3.      Smith gives dictionary definitions to get a bigger perspective on the term to the audience.

4.      The author refutes his definition by stating; “the term was not to spousal abuse per se but to popular-culture figures…”   Yes it was refuted convincingly because it stated why the position was valid however giving reason to why the term is still a problem.

5.      Yes; it visually explains what the author is emphasizing in the essay. It shows male dominance and edge- many associations linked to the term wife-beater.