Sample Answer For New Sat 3# P620 Test Questions – Flashcards

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. Furthermore, she provides evidence from authoritative sources, MIT, to add legitimacy to her claim that children who are more engaged in learning by doing themselves will retain the memory 900% more as opposed to those who only read. These presentation of facts and evidence corroborates the claim that the children who are more exposed to technology in learning can actually benefit from using it.

Next, the author approaches to argumentation by surrounding the more emotional aspects which audience members feel passionate about: Education for children. With key phrases, that audiences can relate to in their daily lives, like" playing the empire building game Civilization piqued students' interest in history and was directly linked to an improvement in the quality of their history class reports" and "actively browsing pages on a computer or tablet is way more brain stimulating than vegging out in front of TV," Eliana activates the nature of human to act in their own self-interest. While some readers might view this selfish, Eliana reassures the readers that they are not alone in feeling this way, further contributing to her argument. By quoting Jim Taylor, author of Raising Gen Tech, "they're load of crap...meant to make money" and Lucy Wurtz, "But I don't see any benefit...endeavors," Eliana adds acceptance to those who oppose her. By putting statistics, quotes, and credible sources, she tries to equal the opposing view and make herself more favorable in the process. Appealing both to academic institution and publishers, Eliana qualifies that " early technology use has cognitive benefits as well." A statement such as this is an attempt to get readers of either persuasion on her side, and her ingenious qualification only adds to the strength of her argument. In addition, the use of negative words with specifically poor connotation such as "crap," "violence," "obesity," "cyber bullying," and "ADHD" all depict a disparaging tone of disapproval and anger, surely assisting Eliana to convey her message.

Third, the author uses a balanced view approach. By first discussing the percentage of American kids that use tech and then moving into discussion of common negative views regarding tech, the author is able to build opposing argument clearly and easily understood. Then, Eliana proceeds to offer a different view, her view, subtly at first, but then, her view is reasoned properly by the use of deduction, which gives basis for readers to accept the author's side of debate. Lastly, the author incorporates both merits and drawbacks of each view, and then moving on to a conclusion that " as with any childhood privilege, monitoring is key. But parents should keep an open mind about benefits of tech fluency."

It is through many statistics, quotes, authoritative sources, and balanced reasoning that Eliana sells her argument. Powerful diction, qualification, ethos, pathos, logos, and informative facts all contribute to his exceptionally well-written argument. It is her utilization of these practices and more that make this article worthy of recognition. Once one reads the article, one will be in agreement, and it is not for no reason.