Breaking Down the Prompt

Please reread information from the first page of the video game synthesis packet, which I have included below. Notice that the information provides context, and it also includes the prompt and basic expectations for the response. When you are finished reading this information, please post a comment to this post that answers the following questions:

1. Paraphrase the instructions listed under "Directions."
2. What information from the "Introduction" part of the prompt do you believe is most helpful in presenting the issue/topic of the packet? Why do you think this information is most helpful?
3. The "Assignment" part of the prompt asks you to create an argument that argues one of two options. What are the two options the prompt asks you to select from?
4. What are a few other important instructions or details you should pay attention to in this information?

Video Games Synthesis Packet

Directions: The following prompt is based on the accompanying sources.

This question requires you to synthesize a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written essay. When you synthesize sources, you refer to them to develop your position and cite them accurately. Your argument should be central; the sources should support the argument. Avoid merely summarizing sources.

Remember to attribute both direct and indirect references.

Introduction

With increased access to technology, various media have become a part of everyday life for citizens of technologically advanced countries. Here in the United States, the average person checks his or her cell phone nearly 150 times per day (Meeker and Wu). Because the average teenager in the United States is so exposed to media, researchers have begun to examine the impacts this exposure is having on the cognitive development of children of all ages. According to a 2012 Pew Research study, 81% of teens use social media at least three times a week. Furthermore, a 2007 poll found that nearly 97% of teens reported owning at least one video game console (Irvine).

Assignment

Read the following sources (including the introductory information) carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources, develop a position on the impact that video games have on teens. Your position should be that the cons of video games outweigh the pros, or vice-versa.

You may refer to the sources by their titles (Source A, Source B, etc.) or by the descriptions in parentheses.

Source A (Nauert, Rick)

Source B (St. Fleur, Nicholas)

Source C (“Video Game Addiction”)

Source D (“8 Ways Video Games Are Bad”)

Source E ("Games and Family Life”)

Source F ("Gaming Infographics")

Works Cited in Introduction

Irvine, Martha. "Survey: Nearly Every American Kid Plays Video Games." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

Meeker, Mary and Liang Wu. "2013 Internet Trends." — Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers. KPCB People, 23 May 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

"Teens Fact Sheet." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. Pew Research Center, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

Identifying Initial Reactions and Opinions

I would like you to reread the prompt information for your synthesis packet one more time, so I have included it below. After you reread this prompt information, please respond to the following in a comment to this post:

• If you were to write an essay in response to this prompt right now, without doing any further research and without reading any of the included sources, which side would you argue, and why? 
• Then, using your answer to the previous question, write out a rough main claim that states your position and a few reasons.

Video Games Synthesis Packet

Directions: The following prompt is based on the accompanying sources.

This question requires you to synthesize a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written essay. When you synthesize sources, you refer to them to develop your position and cite them accurately. Your argument should be central; the sources should support the argument. Avoid merely summarizing sources.

Remember to attribute both direct and indirect references.

Introduction

With increased access to technology, various media have become a part of everyday life for citizens of technologically advanced countries. Here in the United States, the average person checks his or her cell phone nearly 150 times per day (Meeker and Wu). Because the average teenager in the United States is so exposed to media, researchers have begun to examine the impacts this exposure is having on the cognitive development of children of all ages. According to a 2012 Pew Research study, 81% of teens use social media at least three times a week. Furthermore, a 2007 poll found that nearly 97% of teens reported owning at least one video game console (Irvine).

Assignment

Read the following sources (including the introductory information) carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources, develop a position on the impact that video games have on teens. Your position should be that the cons of video games outweigh the pros, or vice-versa.

You may refer to the sources by their titles (Source A, Source B, etc.) or by the descriptions in parentheses.

Source A (Nauert, Rick)

Source B (St. Fleur, Nicholas)

Source C (“Video Game Addiction”)

Source D (“8 Ways Video Games Are Bad”)

Source E ("Games and Family Life”)

Source F ("Gaming Infographics")

Works Cited in Introduction

Irvine, Martha. "Survey: Nearly Every American Kid Plays Video Games." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

Meeker, Mary and Liang Wu. "2013 Internet Trends." — Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers. KPCB People, 23 May 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

"Teens Fact Sheet." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. Pew Research Center, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

Practice Source A

The following source is NOT a source you will find in your actual synthesis packet; however, it is a source that is related to the packet's topic of Hip Hop in some way. Please read the source and then answer the following questions in a comment to this post:

1. What is the source's SOAPSTone?
2. What type of source is this?
3. How does the information from this source relate to the prompt?
4. How could the information from this source be used in your synthesis (if you were to go with the main claim you drafted in a previous post)?

Practice Source B

The following source is NOT a source you will find in your actual synthesis packet; however, it is a source that is related to the packet's topic of Hip Hop in some way. Please read the source and then answer the following questions in a comment to this post:

1. What is the source's SOAPSTone?
2. What type of source is this?
3. How does the information from this source relate to the prompt?
4. How could the information from this source be used in your synthesis (if you were to go with the main claim you drafted in a previous post)?

Practice Source C

The following source is NOT a source you will find in your actual synthesis packet; however, it is a source that is related to the packet's topic of Hip Hop in some way. Please read the source and then answer the following questions in a comment to this post:

1. What is the source's SOAPSTone?
2. What type of source is this?
3. How does the information from this source relate to the prompt?
4. How could the information from this source be used in your synthesis (if you were to go with the main claim you drafted in a previous post)?