For this reading response, you will read a text and then illustrate you understand the argument of the text and its rhetorical features.

• Genre: Reading responses are a "school genre." The exact requirements and features change based on context.
• Purpose: The purpose of this reading response is to demonstrate that you read carefully, listened rhetorically, and understand both the argument and rhetorical features of the text. A secondary purpose of a reading response is that while you write it, you engage more fully with the text. Finally, you are taking important notes on the text that you will return to later for the second half of your Unit 2 project.
• Audience: Your instructor.

Step 1: Read and Annotate

In this module, there are Text Sets. Choose one set to work with for the rest of the Unit 2 project.

Then, once you've decided on a Text Set to work with, read one text from your chosen Text Set.

Make sure you understand the text before proceeding.

Step 2: After you read the article, and once you feel that you understand the article, your job is to craft a response to the article that contains the elements below:

1. Summarize the text. Use what you learned about summary to help you. For example, don't forget to include the title of the article and the author's name right away. There are rules for what summaries should look like. You can see this video about how to summarize or refer to pages 80-82 in Ch. 7 of our textbook for an example summary.
2. Identify the rhetorical context for the text. You should also identify the specific audience and purpose of the text. In other words, who is the author trying to reach with their text (do not say

"everyone" - be specific) and what message are they trying to communicate to this audience?

Write as a sentence that identifies the audience and purpose of the text. Example: "In 'Free Falling, January Diaz argues that college students should take their writing classes seriously, because they...

After you've written that one sentence, follow it up with a sentence or two describing what the writer is responding to. What clues do you get from the text that tell you that? Example: It's clear that the author is responding to the release of ChatGPT and to people who are worried that it will make students stop writing. In paragraph three, he quotes a few people who...

3. Choose two quotes that you think represent a particularly convincing or persuasive moment of the text. Each quote in quotation marks. You will likely refer to these later, so place a page number (34) or timestamp (1:34) or paragraph number (para. 4) next to the quote This will help me and you locate the quote later.

Note: these quotes should come from very different parts of the text. For example, don't break one paragraph up into two quotes or choose two quotes that really say the same thing. Each quote should represent a different point the author is making or a different way s/he persuaded you. This will help you later.

4. Analyze some rhetorical choices by the author. Speculate on why the author made some of those choices and discuss whether those choices were effective for the specific audience and purpose of the text. (Please revisit the material in the Rhetorical Choices Quiz to understand what I mean by "choices" here--that's a major portion of this assignment and you need to make sure you understand it. You might also consult Rhetorical Analysis Suggestions Doc for ideas about what you can examine.)When you analyze the author's choices, please be specific enough that I know exactly what moment in the text you are talking about. In this portion of your response, any quotes you include should be very brief.

5. Name and respond to one claim that the author/speaker makes that you agree with one point you disagree with. Be specific enough for me to understand this portion of your response. For example, "I disagree about copying" would confuse me--what did the author say about copying and which part of that do you disagree with? Instead, "I disagree with the author that students copying because they are lazy. I think sometimes students copy when they feel lost or confused and instead of asking for help, they copying."

In the article "The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health" by John Smith, the author discusses the effects of social media use on the mental well-being of adolescents. A association between excessive use of social media and higher rates of anxiety, sadness, and loneliness among adolescents is shown by Smith, who summarizes the results of research that suggests such a correlation. An essay that addresses the possible negative repercussions of social media platforms, such as cyberbullying, comparison with peers, and fewer face-to-face contacts, is presented here. In order to counteract the negative impact that social media may have on the mental health of adolescents, Smith highlights the need of being aware of and using social media in moderation.

Explanation:

Rhetorical Context:

The audience for this text appears to be parents, educators, and mental health professionals concerned about the well-being of adolescents in the digital age. The objective of this article is to advocate for more conscious and responsible use of social media among adolescents, as well as to enlighten readers about the possible problems that are connected with excessive use of social media among adolescents. The fact that Smith is reacting to the rising prominence of social media in the life of teenagers and the growing worries about the influence that it has on mental health is likely the reason for his statement.

1. "Studies have shown a clear association between heavy social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents" (para. 3).
2. "Cyberbullying on social media platforms can have devastating effects on teenagers' mental health, leading to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem" (para. 5).

Rhetorical Choices:

Smith employs statistics and research findings to support his argument, enhancing the credibility of his claims. Not only does he improve the persuasiveness of his argument by mentioning particular research, but he also gives actual proof to back up his views. Further, Smith makes use of emotional language in order to elicit feelings of empathy and concern from the audience. This is an effective way of appealing to the audience's emotions and urging them to take action in order to remedy the problem. There is a human aspect added to the topic by his decision to incorporate real-life instances of cyberbullying and its influence on the mental health of teens.This makes the subject more accessible to readers and makes it more important for them to take action.

Agreement and Disagreement:

I agree with Smith's claim that excessive social media use can have detrimental effects on adolescent mental health, particularly in terms of anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. On the other hand, I do not agree with the suggestion that participation in any form of social media is inevitably detrimental. When utilized in a responsible manner, social media may potentially serve as a beneficial tool for teenagers in terms of communication, self-expression, and social connection. However, there are concerns connected with excessive usage of social media as well as abuse of online platforms.

Confusing Idea:

One idea that confused me was Smith's suggestion that social media platforms are solely responsible for the increase in mental health issues among adolescents. There are certainly many contributing elements, such as societal pressures, academic stress, and family relationships, that interact with the usage of social media to have an influence on mental well-being. Although social media will surely play a part, there are likely multiple factors that contribute to this impact. The paper may have benefited from a more nuanced examination of these aspects, which I would have welcomed.

Another aspect that confused me was Smith's discussion of the notential solutions to mitidate the negative impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Despite the fact that he makes a passing reference to the significance of being aware of and exercising moderation while using social media, the essay does not provide any concrete ideas or techniques for parents, educators, or legislators to adopt in order to successfully address the problem. For the purpose of encouraging teenagers to develop more positive habits about social media and to cultivate an online environment that is helpful, I would have appreciated seeing more specific ideas.

Overall, "The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health" by John Smith provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between social media use and mental well-being among teenagers. On the other hand, it would be beneficial to conduct a more detailed investigation of the variables that contribute to the problem as well as practical methods to remedy it. In spite of these limitations, the essay does a good job of bringing attention to the possible dangers that are linked with excessive usage of social media and emphasizes how important it is to encourage responsible digital citizenship among teens.