A Rhetorical Analysis Of 'The Digital Parent Trap'

405 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of technology towards students

In this intriguing article, "The Digital Parent Trap" by the respected Eliana Dockterman, the author convincingly argues that this generation of American kids is the tech-savviest in history and this trend is going to bring about a severe change in the society. The author effectively and steadfastly builds the argument by using a variety of persuasive and argumentative rhetorical techniques including but not limited to specific and convincing evidence, logical reasons, and appeals to emotion through a careful choice of words.

In paragraph 8 and 9 the author uses a study done by SRI, a research firm where she writes, "kids who played games like Samorost (solving puzzles)...the quality of their history-class reports." By using a study that is recent, Dockterman gives it a lot of credibility. The reader now has a reason to believe that technology is not all bad. This evidence is to portray a logical understanding of the problem …show more content…

In paragraph 4 and 5 she writes, "reports about the rise of,,,feel depressed and insecure." However, in paragraph 7, she write, "But it's not that simple...offered in school." These two arguments are given to show the pros and cons of technology on this generation of American kids. The reader now is on edge about what to believe about technology. Is it bad because of bullied kids, or good because kids can find acceptance online.

Lastly, in paragraph 11, the author finally states her most convincing argument. She writes that exposure to technology can be good for people for want a job requiring certain essential skills. This shows the practical reason to let kids become tech-savvy. The reader now has a clearer understanding on why technology is good for this generation, In the end, Dockterman reaches a compromise where technology is good in the right amount of doses, not unfettered access to technology so that kids do not have to experience the negative

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis: The Digital Parent Trap

    481 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the passionate article, “The Digital Parent Trap” by the renowned Eliana Dockterman, the author convincingly portrays that there are benefits to early exposure to technology and that this viewpoint needs to be more pervasive or else there would be a severe problem with broad consequences. The author effectively and concisely builds the argument by using a variety of persuasive and argumentative rhetorical techniques including but not limited to the usage of ethos, evidence, and pathos.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Dana Boyd And Don T Limit Your Teen's Screen Time

    993 Words  | 2 Pages

    Both authors are writing to parents of children who they think spend way too much time on their electronics. However, Dana Boyd has a much better compelling argument for not restricting a teenager’s screen time. Boyd has a much better appeal to both audiences. She manages to employ better uses of both pathos and logos throughout the article and appeals to both parents and children.

    Read More

  • What Is Quality Time Redefined By Alex Williams Summary

    918 Words  | 2 Pages

    Technology is one of the most important things in everyone’s life. Technology improves every day. in regards to today’s youth, they were born with all the new technological inventions as opposed to our parents. In “Quality Time, Redefined” by Alex Williams, published in the New York Times, the author talks about the positive and negative effects on technology. I enjoyed this reading because it related my personal day to day life. Even though some Americans acknowledge that technology is a part of their everyday life, they do not see the negative outcome of technology, they are blinded only by the positive aspects.

    Read More

  • Microsoft Super Bowl Commercial: Microsoft 2014 Super Bowl Commercial

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    As technology began to advance over the last decade, even in the last few years, so did the big debate on whether technology is good or bad. Technology, like most things, has its cons, for example, technology can be very expensive, and technology is not always reliable. Another significant issue with technology is that people 's lives seem to revolve around technology. Schools nowadays are incorporating the use of technology in how

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Neil Postman's Influence On Society

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    This text was also among my most favorable topics, as I can relate to the generation of technology, its advances and consequences, and its role and influence on society. I evaluated three pieces of texts, all of which presented thorough research. My analysis was an investigation of a book I found to be an outstanding read, amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman. I evaluated Postman’s argument, and incorporated and established my own stance and position towards the consequences of technology today and in the future on our society. I created a persuasive argument connected to Postman’s

    Read More

  • Effects Of Technology In Fahrenheit 451

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    It shows citizens do not know how to socialize and making people antisocial without the use of technology. In the book, a conversation is placed between Montag and his wife, Mildred, and the conversation is one-sided and choppy. Montag and Mildred were talking about their neighbors disappearance, Clarisse, and the conversation was very repetitive and showing lack of interest during it (Bradbury 44). This conversation causes Montag to get upset because it is going nowhere and he is not getting any new information about Clarisse. According to the Daily Universe, 75% of teens and children have lived their lives looking at a screen. This overuse of screen time makes kids feel lonely and like they have no friends with their doors being shut and not interacting with people in real life. For every minute of technology is equivalent to 5 minutes of time spent talking to friends, family, or doing activities that calms and overactive brain. This makes kids forget how to socialize with one another and not knowing how to carry a conversation. Along with socialization becoming obsolete, technology causes addiction, and the replacement of jobs throughout

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of The Digital Parent Trap By Eliana Dockterman

    579 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the article, “The Digital Parent Trap” by Eliana Dockterman, reveals the possible advantages of an early introduction of technology to children. Dockterman’s purpose is to convince her audience that limited early age exposure to electronics can be beneficial to children. She utilizes a factual and unbiased tone when persuading her audience, parents. Dockterman appeals to logos, appeals to ethos, and compares the effects of technology to persuade her audience that early exposure to technology actually can be beneficial.

    Read More

  • The Digital Parent Trap Rhetorical Analysis

    608 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sat Essay Form In response to debate regarding the benefits of early exposure to technology, Eliana Dockterman argues that early exposures to tech has more advantages than disadvantages attached to it in her article " The Digital Parent Trap." Eliana effectively builds her argument by using logos, pathos, and ethos approach. The author begins her argument by utilizing statistics and credible sources to build a sense of authority that the reader can easily recognize and accept. Eliana uses statistics "27% of them use tablets......by late 2014," to inform her subsequent claim that this generation of American children and teenagers is the tech savviest in history.

    Read More

  • Marcus and Goldwasser vs. Technology

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is evident that Ruth Marcus’s “Cyberspace Dunderheads” and Goldwasser’s “What’s the matter with kids today?” share common objectives. Both articles concur that advances in technology have restructured our present and future existence in various ways. Communication, social networking, and obtaining knowledge have all been affected from technology’s advances, according to the two authors. Although their articles have similarities, all of their views and opinions do not coincide .Goldwasser and Marcus chose different avenues of expressing their opinions.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis: The Digital Parent Trap

    402 Words  | 1 Pages

    The structure of the writing consists of the beginning of the article, the author talks about the cons and problems with technology for young adults (“... Watching too much TV can lead to obesity, violence, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.”) to talking about how technology in the modern era is important (“If you look at applying for college or a job, that's on the computer.”). The purpose of the structure is to leave the audience with the most important information. For example, the author first talks about the con with technology, than over time she transitions to the importance and why kids should be exposed to technology at an early age. Therefore, the author is leaving the point of view she wants the audience to have when they finish the

    Read More

  • A Critique of Chapter 11 in Neil Postman's Technopoly

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    As an engaging cultural critic, professor at New York University, and author of numerous books on the themes of education and technology, Neil Postman is well positioned to comment on the relation of technology to culture. The relation as he sees it is one in which culture is subservient to and controlled by both invisible (I.Q. scores, statistics, polling techniques) and visible (television, computers, automobiles) technologies. Technology, Postman admits, is a friend but mostly it is a dangerous enemy that intrudes into a culture, changing everything, while destroying the vital sources of our humanity.

    Read More

  • Synthesis Essay On Technology In Schools

    496 Words  | 1 Pages

    Technology should be a throwaway in schools. As students grow, technology begins to take over; additionally kids become possessed with pinpointing who broke up with whom and what the new fashions are. Instead of using technology to an advantage, people are brought up to use the great information that is provided as a distraction mechanism.

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects of Technology on Society

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    Technology has more negative effects on today’s society than positive. Due to technology in the past few decades Canine Shock Collars have been increasingly popular. Students in school pay more attention to texting than they do their classes. Violent addictive video games have made their way into American homes. Parents encourage their children to not text as much, but them to face the problem of constant communication. The Internet gives the students easier ways to cheat in school, and reinforces laziness. Internet Porn gives every bored male a chance to look at the seediest film in the comfort of his own home. Technology has taken the innocence and mystery away from the American family.

    Read More

  • Negative Effects of Technology

    2086 Words  | 5 Pages

    Technology is one of life’s most impressive and incredible phenomena’s. The main reason being the shockingly high degree to which our society uses technology in our everyday lives. It occupies every single realm, affecting people both positively and negatively. There are so many different forms of technology but the two most often used are cell phones, and the internet/computers in general. Today’s younger generation was raised alongside technological development. Kids now a days learn how to operate computers and cell phones at a very early age, whether it be through their own technological possessions, a friend’s, or their parents. They grow up knowing how easily accessible technology is, and the endless amount of ways in which it can be used. This paper will be largely focused on the effects of technology on the younger generation because your childhood is when these effects have the largest impact. I am very aware of the subject because I am the younger generation. Aside from major effects on study and communication skills, there also exist the media’s effects on teen’s self-esteem and mental health. Maybe more importantly, there is our world’s growing problem of over priced and unnecessary consumerism. Over time, our society has created a very unhealthy form of reliance and dependency on technology as a whole. People essentially live through their devices. Cell phones are always with people making it nearly impossible to not be able to reach someone at anytime, day or night. In 2011, there were 2.4 trillion text messages sent, and 28,641 cell phone towers were added across the US. 1 We use our phones and Internet for directions, communication, information, self-diagnosis, games, movies, music, schoolwork, work, photos, shoppi...

    Read More

  • Essay On Invasion Of Technology

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    Aside from technology invading youth’s privacy, it helps them by improving daily life. When they go to stores they sometimes don’t find something they like, so technology has is solving this problem. In “Eyesee you”, it states “then information is then used to personally

    Read More

More about A Rhetorical Analysis Of 'The Digital Parent Trap'

Open Document