Assignment

Write an Argument

You will be writing an argument essay about a topic of your choice. Your teacher will score your final draft.

Use the steps described here to complete your assignment.

Directions

• Choose one of the suggested topics, or use a topic of your own.
• Decide what your position is on the topic.
• In your introduction, make a clear, precisely worded claim that expresses your stance on the issue.
• Support your claim with reasons and evidence.
• Acknowledge counterclaims and address them.
• Use transitions to link the ideas in your paper.
• Write a conclusion that sums up your major points. End with a strong statement about your position to leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Example Topics

Choose one of these topics or write on a topic of your own:

• Should students be able to grade their teachers?
• How important is art or music in school?
• Does technology isolate people?
• Is traditional television broadcasting becoming obsolete?
• Should parents allow their children to play football?
• Should athletes who used banned substances have to give up their titles or medals?
• Which is more important, intelligence or hard work?

If you choose a topic of your own, be sure that it is debatable—an issue on which people disagree. However, avoid issues that may upset or be offensive to some members of your audience.

Submit Your Assignment

Follow the instructions in the Graded Assignment to complete your essay and submit it to your teacher for grading.

ANSWER

Does technology isolate people?

Technology isolates people across the globe due to its impersonal nature. Initially, technology was meant to bring people together through creation of a global social network. However, all these connectivity is impersonal and done via devices such as mobile phones thus resulting in an isolation outbreak across the world (Baker et.al 2018). In Europe close to 24% of adults reported feeling lonely despite having vast social networks on their devices. Japan and USA are the most affected with close to half of the adult population reporting feelings of loneliness due to a lack of physical companionship (Baker et.al 2018).

Research on mortality rates indicates that half of the death rates were directly linked to isolation and stress (Baker et.al 2018). This significant number indicates that isolation despite connection through technology has increased mortality rates. In-person relationships are important and based on the statistics isolation as a result of technology affects people mentally and prevents them taking care of themselves (Baker et.al 2018). The inability to take care of one’s self then results in chronic conditions such as depression and high blood pressure among others. There are reports that indicate that technology does not isolate people as it helps build bonds and networks with people globally. In some cases this might be true but for the most part what leads to feelings of isolation is a lack of in-person relationships (Baker et.al 2018).

In summary, there are many benefits and disadvantages of technology; however, technology has ensued feelings of loneliness among the adult and youth population (Cotterell et.al, 2018). Europe records the highest number of isolation statistics with the US and Japan at the forefront. The impersonality of technology is what leads to loneliness as people seek in-person companionship which technology has eliminated. In addition, technology is affecting our health leading to conditions such as depression and heart related diseases.

References

Baker, S., Warburton, J., Waycott, J., Batchelor, F., Hoang, T., Dow, B., … & Vetere, F. (2018). Combatting social isolation and increasing social participation of older adults through the use of technology: A systematic review of existing evidence. Australasian journal on ageing, 37(3), 184-193.

Cotterell, N., Buffel, T., & Phillipson, C. (2018). Preventing social isolation in older people. Maturitas, 113, 80-84.