Reality TV and Society / Arguments, Claims and Counterclaims

"But instead of improving with age, programming has degenerated into mindless reality TV" (1).

The word degenerated means...

• to become more comical

• to improve over time

• to decline and worsen

• to become more popular

"The difference for him, he says, is that he was not exploited and was in charge of his program" (4).

The word exploited means...

• to use a situation or person in an encouraging way

• to use a situation or person in an unfair way

• to be hired by another corporation

• to be recommended for a raise

"This age-old question can easily be applied to the controversy surrounding reality television" (8).

The word controversy means...

• to have opposing viewpoints

• to have similar viewpoints

• to feel excited about

• to feel unhappy about

"Have these shows corrupted our society?" (8).

The word corrupted means...

• to make less interesting

• to make more intelligent

• to cause to act more responsibly

• to cause to act dishonorably

"At least the people viewers see reflect the wide diversity of people in our nation" (12).

The word diversity means...

• to exclude all people's differences

• to include all people's differences

• to show people's bad decisions

• to show people's good decisions

What is an argument?

• facts, details, examples, or logical reasons

• the main idea or thesis statement

• an attempt to persuade the reader to disagree with the writer’s point of view

• an attempt to persuade the reader to share the writer’s point of view

What is a claim?

• the main idea or thesis statement of an argument

• facts, details, examples, or logical reasons

• an argument that your reader would make if they disagreed with your claim.

• an attempt to persuade the reader to disagree with the writer’s point of view

What is a counterclaim?

• proof or facts that support your claim

• an argument that your reader would make if they disagreed with your claim.

• the main idea or thesis statement of an argument

• a strong restatement of the original claim.

What is evidence?

• the main idea or thesis statement of an argument

• facts, details, examples, or logical reasons that support your claim

• a strong restatement of the original claim

• a strong restatement of the counterclaim

Which of the following sentences is the argument?

I think we should get a pet dog. Getting a pet dog would be good for our whole family! Dogs help boost people’s moods because they are friendly and playful. Additionally, they help deter criminals, like thieves. Doctors have even found that owning a dog can improve a person’s health. You might think that I am not responsible enough to have a pet dog, but I have demonstrated responsibility before by making my bed every morning, doing my homework, and helping out around the house. We should get a dog because they make great pets, and I am responsible enough to help take care of it!

• I think we should get a pet dog.

• Getting a pet dog would be good for our whole family!

• Dogs help boost people’s moods because they are friendly and playful.

• You might think that I am not responsible enough to have a pet dog, but I have demonstrated responsibility before by making my bed every morning, doing my homework, and helping out around the house.