English II

3rd Six Weeks Writing Product

How to Dissect A Prompt

How To Attack A Writing Prompt

These steps will help you plan and write a successful paper

1Read Background

Info and Prompt

2Re-read the

prompt and dissect what

is being asked of you

3Plan your paper

(outline) before you

write!

Read Background Info and Prompt

Read, Comprehend, Understand

1

The Full Prompt• At a recent conference at the University of Chicago , David Walsh of the NationalInstitute on Media and the Family presented a paper titled “ Video Game Violence andPublic Policy.” The paper stated that “79% of American children now play computer orvideo games on a regular basis. Children between the ages of 7 and 17 play for anaverage of 8 hours a week.” The subset of games that feature violence, gore, andantisocial behavior has corrupted this generation of children. Because of these videogames, all children will participate in some sort of gang violence, armed robbery, andaggravated assault.

Compose an essay arguing that video games are not responsible for a child’s motivationand ambition to lead a life of criminal activity.

Read the background information and

summarize what is being communicated.

Getting Started – The Background

At a recent conference at the University of Chicago , David Walsh of the National Institute on Media and the Family presented a paper titled “ Video Game Violence and Public Policy.”The paper stated that “79% of American children now play computer or video games on a regular basis. Children between the ages of seven and 17 play for an average of eight hours a week.”The subset of games that feature violence, gore, and antisocial behavior has corrupted this generation of children. Because of these video games, all children will participate in some sort of gang violence, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

Getting Started – The Prompt

Now, read the prompt.

What is your TASK?

Compose an essay arguing that video games are not responsible for a child’s motivation and ambition to lead a life of criminal activity.

Und

erst

andi

ng th

e Re

adin

g Go back and read the prompt. Make sure you understand what is going on, and what is being communicated.

*What is the main idea?*What is going on?*Who is involved/affected?

Compose an essay arguing that video games are not responsible for a child’s motivation and ambition to lead a life of criminal activity.

2 Enrich Your Understanding

Read, Analyze, Apply

It’s not just about understanding what you read, but understanding what is being asked of you.

1. What will your paper be about?2. What genre will you be writing?3. What do you need to include?4. How does the background information help you?

Let’s see.

Let’s see… What is my TASK?1. Compose an essay arguing…I have to write an essay arguing something. What am I arguing?2. that video games are not responsible for a child’s motivation and ambition…I have to argue that video games are NOT responsible for motivating children.

Motivating them to do what?

3. to lead a life of criminal activity.

I have to argue that video games are NOT responsible for making

kids, or motivating kids to get involved with crime. How am I going

to do this?

Und

erst

andi

ng th

e Re

adin

gOnce you understand what you are being asked to do, start making

the connections between what has been read (Background Info), and what the is being asked of you (Prompt).

*What does the author claim?*What reasons does the author give for his claim?*What evidence does the author give for his reasons?

Compose an essay arguing that video games are not responsible for a child’s motivation and ambition to lead a life of criminal activity.

Your TASK How are you going to use the background info?

What will your argument be?

Let’s see…What do I have?“79% of American children now play computer or video gameson a regular basis. Children between the ages of 7 and 17 play for an average of 8hours a week.” The subset of games that feature violence, gore, and antisocialbehavior has corrupted this generation of children. Because of these video games, all children will participate insome sort of gang violence, armed robbery, and aggravatedassault.

Sooooo…..How can I use this?

• *What does the author claim?Because of these video games, all children will participate insome sort of gang violence, armed robbery, and aggravatedassault.

• *What reasons does the author give for his claim?The subset of games that feature violence, gore, and antisocialbehavior has corrupted this generation of children.

• *What evidence does the author give for his reasons?“79% of American children now play computer or video gameson a regular basis. Children between the ages of 7 and 17 play for an average of 8hours a week.”

3 Plan Your Essay

Using the information given, outline your paper.

I. ThesisII. Point 1III. Point 2IV. Point 3V. Counter Argument/Opposing ViewVI. Main Argument

Lets Do This!

I. Thesis- Although many psychiatrists and psychologists believe that video games are responsible for a life of criminal activity, this is not true; video games do not encourage children to join gangs, games do not motivate them to commit an armed robbery, and nor do they glamourize aggravated assault.

II. Point 1- Games do not encourage children to join gangs.A. Not all games are geared around gangs, in fact, many games are centered around one person carrying out the task at hand.B. Most of the games that call for teens to operate in groups are military based; therefore, the game is

encouraging patriotism, not gang violence/activity.

III. Point 2- Games do not motivate children to commit an armed robbery. A. Yes, some games to allow the player to commit an armed robbery during the game; however, game makers have

ensured that the player realizes the consequences of his/her actions. B. The game has law enforcement in place to make chase down and reprimand the player for his/her bad decisions.

IV. Point 3- Aggravated assault is not glamourized during game playA. Many of the games out are violent; however, the games are usually some sort of respected version of fighting.

For instance, wresting and UFC fighting.

V. Counter/Opposing- However, some people believe that video games are the sole reason for teenage violence.

A. TV shows are more of a culprit than video games when it comes to showcasing teenage violence. Unlike the video game, TV shows are made to appear as though they are reality; therefore, the sense of right and wrong detachment comes more from TV than it does video games.

VI. Main Argument- Although many parents, psychiatrists, and psychologists believe that video games are to blame for the up rise in teenage violence, video games are not a contributing factor.

Example Outline:

What’s Your Message?ANY QUESTIONS?