Reread the arguments on the previous slide about the positive and negative aspects of social media. In a well-constructed paragr
aph: evaluate which argument is more effective.
identify the authors’ claims, reasons, and evidence.
compare and contrast the perspectives of the authors.
identify fallacies used by either side.
The argument in favor of social media use is the stronger argument. The article claims that students do better in school when they use social media. The author gives anecdotal evidence that students use social media to discuss classwork, then uses empirical evidence to show that grades went up in a study where students used social media. The argument against social media is weak because it lacks specific evidence. The writer uses the rhetorical device of parallelism to list a variety of ill effects of social media use. However, the writer never offers any evidence for these negative effects. This writer uses the bandwagon fallacy by telling the audience that most people who want to do well do not use social media.
<u>Sample Response: </u>The argument in favor of social media use is the stronger argument. The article claims that students do better in school when they use social media. The author gives anecdotal evidence that students use social media to discuss classwork, then uses empirical evidence to show that grades went up in a study where students used social media. The argument against social media is weak because it lacks specific evidence. The writer uses the rhetorical device of parallelism to list a variety of ill effects of social media use. However, the writer never offers any evidence for these negative effects. This writer uses the bandwagon fallacy by telling the audience that most people who want to do well do not use social media.
