Argumentative Writing

Social Media: Boon or Bane?

(8th grade)

Focus: research, avoiding plagiarizing, write arguments to support claims

(Writing 8.1, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6; Language 8.1, 8.2)

Pre-writing Practice:

• Using the article assigned by your teacher, read about a current topic that is being debated.
• Write your own "quick-write" opinion in response, following these directions:
  • Start with a statement telling what you believe about this topic.
  • Give at least 3 supporting reasons, facts, or details for your opinion. (At least 2 of these must be text-based from what you read in the article.)
  • Finish by telling why others should agree with your opinion.
• The Pope Video on Social Networks

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Argumentative Writing Directions:

• Research and take notes about your chosen position. Be accurate. Cite your sources. Take care not to plagiarize!
• Write a 5-paragraph argumentative essay on the graphic organizer pages, following the guidelines in your English notes.
• Self edit & peer edit using the CUPS and ARMS guides.
• Type a second draft.
• Peer edit using the Six Traits of Writing guide for Argumentative Writing.
• Make corrections and print a final copy.
• Type and print a Works Cited page, using MLA format.

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Information Sources:

• "Habits for a Healthy Brain" brief article from Time For Kids
• "Teens' Social Media Habits and Experiences" article summarizing recent findings by Pew Research Center (Do use the numbers/arrows at the bottom to read additional pages of the article.)
• "How Teens and Parents Navigate Screen Time and Device Distractions" article summarizing recent findings by Pew Research Center (Do use the numbers/arrows at the bottom to read additional pages of the article.)
• Very Well Family articles:
  • "Five Ways Social Media Affects Teen Mental Health" article
  • "How Screen Light from Devices Affects Your Sleep" article
  • "Surprising Ways Teens Benefit from Social Media" article
  • "Signs Social Media is Ruining Teen Friendships" article
  • "10 Strategies to Limit Your Teen's Screen Time" article
• Child Mind Institute articles:
  • "How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers" article
  • "What Selfies are Doing to Self-esteem" article
  • "Social Media and Self-Doubt" article
• PEW Research Center articles:
  • "How Parents Feel About - and Manage - Their Teens' Online Behavior and Screen Time" article
  • "The Way U.S. Teens Spend their Time is Changing, but Differences Between Boys and Girls Persist" article
  • "Teens Who are Constantly Online are Just as Likely to Socialize With Their Friends Offline" article
  • "Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2018" article summarizing 2018 findings about social media use among teens
• "Social Media and Teenagers" article from ReachOut.com aimed at a parent audience
• "Boys at Risk: 3 Social Media Hazards" article from NetSanity
• "Social Media and its Effect on Boys" article from NetSanity
• "When Social Media is Really Problematic for Adolescents" article from The New York Times
• "US Teens Use Screens More than Seven Hours a Day on Average - and That's Not Including School Work" article from CNN Health
• "Is Screen Time Toxic for Teenagers?" article from Greater Good Magazine
• "Three Risks of Too Much Screen Time for Teens" article from Greater Good Magazine
• "Teens 'Not Damaged by Screen Time' Study Finds" article from BBC News (BBC stands for British Broadcasting Company)
• "Is Screen Time Really Bad for Kids?" article form the New York Times Magazine
• "There's Worrying New Research about Kids' Screen Time and Their Mental Health" article from Time magazine
• "Teenage Screen Time: Tips for Balance" article from Australian parenting website raisingchildren.net.au

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Additional Argumentative Resource Links:

• Reliable Sources explanation video (from Schmoop)
• Argumentative Essay Structure video (from Schmoop)