An Argument
Essay: Is Watching Television
Harmful or Helpful?
o Read the two articles and take notes on the second page of your Persuasive Writing Guide.
o Write a thesis sentence, which is a central idea sentence -- on the second page of your Persuasive Writing
Guide.
o Fill out as much of the first page as you can.
o If you have time before we go to the computer lab, fill out more of the
Persuasive Writing Guide
o In the lab, log onto MYAccess, then start typing your essay.
o Type as much of your thinking as you can.
o You will come back to revise (add, cut, improve, edit) later.
Computer
Lab and MYAccess:
1. Click on the MyAccess link
located under the Resources heading on the school website or type “myaccess.com” in the address
line.
2. See the poster for log-in
directions.
3. To start an assignment,
click on Assignments.
4. Find the assignment titled
“The Effects of TV.”
5. Click to start.
6. Don’t forget to Save and
Final Save before you leave.
7. You will be able to work on
it again in class or from home.
Your Prompt for Today: The Effects of TV on myaccess.com
Is watching television harmful or
helpful? After
reading the provided texts, write an essay that argues
your position on whether television viewing is harmful or
helpful. Support your position with evidence from the
texts. Be sure to discuss competing views.
Be careful not to plagiarize.
As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on
how well you:
· develop a
multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your
thesis to the audience.
· support
your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient details.
· address the
readers' concerns, opposing viewpoint, or counterarguments.
· organize
your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body,
and conclusion.
· use
well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your
audience.
· edit your
work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.
You have unlimited submissions available
up until a week before this term ends.
Use any of the tools available to you, such as
the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.
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On the first day of writing,
focus on getting down your ideas, based on your thoughts about the articles you
read. Choose one side or the
other. After you have written your
basic essay, you can later add more details (evidence, support for your central
idea).
For more information, use these sources. See the Special Instructions on MYAccess for these same
links.
These articles support the idea that television can be helpful:
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These articles give reasons why television is harmful:
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This one suggests that
changing WHAT children watch makes a difference:
Other considerations:
Does educational programming help children learn to read and
write and learn how to interact with other people?
Does the television
provide relaxing family time?
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Even glancing through the
subtitles on this article will give you ideas and information. Scroll all the
way to the bottom as you notice the harmful effects mentioned:
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Articles for Argument:
TV Viewing Good and Bad for Kids, Study Says; The Seattle Times (Seattle, WA), Stanton, Carina
The Effects of TV
More information: Educational T.V Some TV is Good!
