Imagine your friend's cousin writes a rebuttal argument to her claim in favor of teens owning smartphones. Read his argument excerpt and answer the question that follows:
Smartphone ownership among teens is certainly on the rise. Yet there is reason for caution. Teens are showing signs of smartphone addiction. A survey by TextPlus found that half of teens "couldn't live without their mobile devices for a week, while 36 percent said they weren't able to go 10 minutes without checking their phones." All this time on the devices creates more chances for problems. Smartphones and social media have been linked to serious cases of cyber bullying. Some students have been hurt or worse. A school superintendent in California, J. Thomas Morton, sent a letter to parents. He asked them to monitor their teens' use of all electronic devices, as cyber bullying incidents are on the rise.
Which of the following is true about this argument excerpt?
Answers:
It is respectful in tone to the audience and supports its claim with specific, credible evidence.
It contains specific, credible evidence but uses a disrespectful tone that should be edited.
It fails to support its claim with specific, credible evidence and uses a disrespectful tone.
It uses a respectful tone but needs specific, credible evidence to support the claim.
I think it's A or D. I know she has a respectful tone, but I'm not sure if "Textplus" is a reputable source to get correct information from.
I think it has credible and specific evidence. Although I don't know anything about "Textplus," I'd accept the results of its surveys.
Based on the given argument excerpt, I would say the correct answer is D: It uses a respectful tone but needs specific, credible evidence to support the claim.
The argument excerpt discusses the potential negative consequences of teens owning smartphones, particularly related to smartphone addiction and cyberbullying. While it presents some concerns and mentions specific evidence, such as the survey conducted by TextPlus, it lacks additional specific, credible evidence to further support its claim.
Regarding the tone, the excerpt does not exhibit disrespect or use disrespectful language. It is important to note that tone is subjective, and different readers may interpret the tone differently. However, the excerpt does not contain any overtly disrespectful elements.
Regarding the credibility of the evidence, TextPlus is mentioned as the source of the survey results. To assess the credibility of this source, you could follow some steps:
1. Research the source: Look up information about TextPlus and determine if it is a reputable organization or research entity. Investigate their background, mission, and any affiliations they may have.
2. Evaluate the survey methodology: Examine the survey methodology used by TextPlus to gather the data. Consider factors such as sample size, sampling method, and whether it underwent peer review or independent validation.
3. Assess consistency with other sources: Look for similar findings or data from other reputable sources that corroborate or refute the claims made in the argument excerpt.
4. Consider bias: Reflect on potential biases that the source or the survey methodology may have. Assess whether any conflicts of interest might exist that could influence the results.
By following these steps, you can determine if the evidence presented in the argument excerpt is specific and credible enough to support its claims.
The correct answer is A: It is respectful in tone to the audience and supports its claim with specific, credible evidence.
The argument excerpt presents evidence from a survey conducted by TextPlus, which provides specific data on teens' reliance on smartphones. This evidence supports the claim that teens are showing signs of smartphone addiction. Additionally, the argument raises concerns about the negative consequences of excessive smartphone use, such as cyberbullying, and references a letter from a school superintendent. These examples contribute to the argument's credibility by providing specific instances where problems have occurred.