Question
For your Unit 4: Explanatory/Informative Essay please read through ALL of the links to ensure you complete the correct assignment.
Answer the following essay prompt:
Television has long been a part of our everyday lives, but at what cost to adults and children? Write an informative essay in which you explain the harm that television can cause to adult and children viewers.
Before you begin planning and writing, read the two texts:
1. TV Watching and Health
2. Is TV Really So Bad for Kids?
Essay Check-list:
Your essay….
is organized and addresses all parts of the writing task.
is focused on the controlling idea.
includes and elaborates on evidence from the text(s) to support your ideas.
uses a variety of sentence structures, transitions, and correct punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and mechanics
TV Watching and Health
Watching too much television can make you feel a bit brain-dead. According to a new study, it might also take years off your life. The more time you spend watching TV, the greater your risk of dying at an earlier age -- especially from heart disease, researchers found.
The study followed 8,800 adults with no history of heart disease for more than six years. Compared to those who watched less than two hours of TV per day, people who watched four hours or more were 80 percent more likely to die from heart disease and 46 percent more likely to die from any cause. All told, 284 people died during the study.
Each additional hour spent in front of the TV increased the risk of dying from heart disease by 18 percent and the overall risk of death by 11 percent, according to the study, which was published Monday on the Web site of Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.
Television isn't lethal in and of itself; the real problem appears to be that sitting is the "default position" for TV viewing, says lead study author David Dunstan, Ph.D., the head of the physical activity lab at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, a national research center in Victoria, Australia.
"Prolonged watching of television equals a lot of sitting, which invariably means there's an absence of muscle movement," Dunstan says. If your muscles stay inactive for too long, it can disrupt your metabolism, he explains.
What's more, exercise doesn't necessarily make up for long sessions in front of the tube. Dunstan and his colleagues figured into their analysis how much the study participants exercised. When they compared groups of adults who exercised the same amount but watched varying amounts of TV, those who watched more TV were still at a higher risk of dying during the study.
"You can be active and also watch high amounts of television," Dunstan says. Television isn't necessarily replacing our exercise time, he explains, but it is replacing everyday, "non-sweaty" movements as basic as standing and walking from room to room. The positive health effects of these seemingly negligible activities are underestimated, he says.
The amount of television a person watches is a good index of the overall time they spend sitting, Dunstan says. But there's also some evidence that watching TV may be unhealthier than other sedentary activities, says Peter Katzmarzyk, Ph.D., an exercise scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The bottom line? Exercise is important for health, but avoiding prolonged periods of sitting is nearly as important, Dunstan says. "Just get up and move about during the day. The more you move, the greater the health benefits are likely to be."
Is TV Really So Bad for Kids?
Violence and sexual images are as much a part of today's television fare as peanut butter ads and infomercials. A Surgeon General's report last year concluded that 61% of all TV programming contains violence. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a child who watches three to four hours a day of non-educational TV will see about 8,000 small-screen murders by the time he or she completes grade school.
American children spend an average of 6 hours, 32 minutes each day watching TV or using other media (including the Internet, videotapes, video games, and radio). That's more time than they devote to any other activity except sleep, according to the AAP.
"Most parents don't spend the same amount of time-- about six hours a day --with their children," says child psychiatrist Michael Brody, MD, chair of the television and media committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "Television has a very big influence, and a lot of it is negative. There are hundreds of studies showing a connection between violence on TV and its impact on children -- from aggressive behavior to sleep disturbances."
A recent study by New York University School of Medicine researchers concluded that preschool children who frequently watch violent TV programs or play violent video games are 11 times more likely to engage in aggressive and antisocial behavior than children not frequently exposed. A study at the National Institute on Media and the Family, published in 2002, found that third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children who watch media violence are more likely to treat their peers with rudeness and mean behavior.
In a study of more than 700 children, Columbia University researchers found that adolescents who watch more than an hour a day of TV are more prone to aggression and violence once they reach their late teens and early 20s.
Here's how the AAP puts it: "Watching a lot of violence on television can lead to hostility, fear, anxiety, depression, nightmares, sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress disorder. It is best not to let your child watch violent programs and cartoons."
Risks and Benefits
When it comes to choosing the best programs for your child, an AAP policy statement issued in 2001 notes that by watching certain carefully selected shows, children can, in fact, learn positive social behaviors, including cooperation, sharing, and good manners. "Children in the over-3 age group can learn songs, learn to count, and increase their vocabulary if they already have a good language base," says Miriam Bar-on, professor of pediatrics at Chicago's Loyola University Health System and chair of the organization's committee on public education.
But, adds Bar-on, the AAP believes that parents should discourage children under the age of 2 from watching TV. According to AAP policy, "Research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interaction with parents and other significant caregivers for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Answer the following essay prompt:
Television has long been a part of our everyday lives, but at what cost to adults and children? Write an informative essay in which you explain the harm that television can cause to adult and children viewers.
Before you begin planning and writing, read the two texts:
1. TV Watching and Health
2. Is TV Really So Bad for Kids?
Essay Check-list:
Your essay….
is organized and addresses all parts of the writing task.
is focused on the controlling idea.
includes and elaborates on evidence from the text(s) to support your ideas.
uses a variety of sentence structures, transitions, and correct punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and mechanics
TV Watching and Health
Watching too much television can make you feel a bit brain-dead. According to a new study, it might also take years off your life. The more time you spend watching TV, the greater your risk of dying at an earlier age -- especially from heart disease, researchers found.
The study followed 8,800 adults with no history of heart disease for more than six years. Compared to those who watched less than two hours of TV per day, people who watched four hours or more were 80 percent more likely to die from heart disease and 46 percent more likely to die from any cause. All told, 284 people died during the study.
Each additional hour spent in front of the TV increased the risk of dying from heart disease by 18 percent and the overall risk of death by 11 percent, according to the study, which was published Monday on the Web site of Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.
Television isn't lethal in and of itself; the real problem appears to be that sitting is the "default position" for TV viewing, says lead study author David Dunstan, Ph.D., the head of the physical activity lab at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, a national research center in Victoria, Australia.
"Prolonged watching of television equals a lot of sitting, which invariably means there's an absence of muscle movement," Dunstan says. If your muscles stay inactive for too long, it can disrupt your metabolism, he explains.
What's more, exercise doesn't necessarily make up for long sessions in front of the tube. Dunstan and his colleagues figured into their analysis how much the study participants exercised. When they compared groups of adults who exercised the same amount but watched varying amounts of TV, those who watched more TV were still at a higher risk of dying during the study.
"You can be active and also watch high amounts of television," Dunstan says. Television isn't necessarily replacing our exercise time, he explains, but it is replacing everyday, "non-sweaty" movements as basic as standing and walking from room to room. The positive health effects of these seemingly negligible activities are underestimated, he says.
The amount of television a person watches is a good index of the overall time they spend sitting, Dunstan says. But there's also some evidence that watching TV may be unhealthier than other sedentary activities, says Peter Katzmarzyk, Ph.D., an exercise scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The bottom line? Exercise is important for health, but avoiding prolonged periods of sitting is nearly as important, Dunstan says. "Just get up and move about during the day. The more you move, the greater the health benefits are likely to be."
Is TV Really So Bad for Kids?
Violence and sexual images are as much a part of today's television fare as peanut butter ads and infomercials. A Surgeon General's report last year concluded that 61% of all TV programming contains violence. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a child who watches three to four hours a day of non-educational TV will see about 8,000 small-screen murders by the time he or she completes grade school.
American children spend an average of 6 hours, 32 minutes each day watching TV or using other media (including the Internet, videotapes, video games, and radio). That's more time than they devote to any other activity except sleep, according to the AAP.
"Most parents don't spend the same amount of time-- about six hours a day --with their children," says child psychiatrist Michael Brody, MD, chair of the television and media committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "Television has a very big influence, and a lot of it is negative. There are hundreds of studies showing a connection between violence on TV and its impact on children -- from aggressive behavior to sleep disturbances."
A recent study by New York University School of Medicine researchers concluded that preschool children who frequently watch violent TV programs or play violent video games are 11 times more likely to engage in aggressive and antisocial behavior than children not frequently exposed. A study at the National Institute on Media and the Family, published in 2002, found that third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children who watch media violence are more likely to treat their peers with rudeness and mean behavior.
In a study of more than 700 children, Columbia University researchers found that adolescents who watch more than an hour a day of TV are more prone to aggression and violence once they reach their late teens and early 20s.
Here's how the AAP puts it: "Watching a lot of violence on television can lead to hostility, fear, anxiety, depression, nightmares, sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress disorder. It is best not to let your child watch violent programs and cartoons."
Risks and Benefits
When it comes to choosing the best programs for your child, an AAP policy statement issued in 2001 notes that by watching certain carefully selected shows, children can, in fact, learn positive social behaviors, including cooperation, sharing, and good manners. "Children in the over-3 age group can learn songs, learn to count, and increase their vocabulary if they already have a good language base," says Miriam Bar-on, professor of pediatrics at Chicago's Loyola University Health System and chair of the organization's committee on public education.
But, adds Bar-on, the AAP believes that parents should discourage children under the age of 2 from watching TV. According to AAP policy, "Research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interaction with parents and other significant caregivers for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Answers
Answer
rewrite it for the maximum points
Element
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points
Introductory Paragraph
Original hook engages the reader’s curiosity
Background info is relevant; clearly develops into thesis
Thesis/claim is strong; clearly stated; correct location
Hook is somewhat interesting
Background info is relevant; partially develops into thesis
Thesis/claim is stated and in the correct location
Hook restates the prompt; unoriginal
Background info leaves reader with questions
Thesis/claim is missing or in the incorrect location
Hook does not engage the reader or is missing
Background info is missing important topics for clarity or is missing
Thesis/claim is missing or is confusing and in the incorrect location
Organization & Transitions
Ideas are coherently organized into separate body paragraphs; topic sentences are complete
Transitions are used correctly/sufficiently; essay flows logically
Ideas are somewhat organized into separate body paragraphs; topic sentences are complete
Transitions are used correctly at the beginning of each body paragraph & conclusion; sometimes used within body paragraphs
Ideas do not begin and end when they should; topic sentences are incomplete or are in incorrect locations
Missing 1 body paragraph or conclusion transition; occasionally used within body paragraphs
Ideas are disorganized; topic sentences do not control the paragraph or paragraphs are not used at all
Missing 2+ body paragraphs or conclusion transitions; rarely used within body paragraphs; lacks flow or transitions are not used
Evidence & Elaboration
All evidence is relevant & clearly connects to the thesis
Titles of the passage are used within all body paragraphs for all pieces of evidence.
All explanation & elaboration sentences clarify and extend ideas; context is present
Most evidence is relevant and connects to the thesis
Titles of passages are used within most body paragraphs for most pieces of evidence.
Most explanation & elaboration sentences clarify and extend ideas; context is mostly present
Missing 1 piece of evidence or half are irrelevant
Titles of the passages are only used occasionally throughout the essay.
Explanation & elaboration sentences clarify but do not extend ideas; context is sometimes present
Missing 2+ pieces of evidence or 3+ pieces of evidence are irrelevant
No reference to passages
Explanation & elaboration sentences are insufficient; context is rarely or not present
Concluding Paragraph
Conclusion stays on topic; provides closure; (3 parts: restates thesis in new way, brief summary restating ideas, and closing with a relevant thought).
Conclusion mostly stays on topic; somewhat provides closure; (3 parts)
Conclusion strays from topic or missing 1 part
Conclusion excessively strays from topic or missing 2 parts or is missing altogether
Tone and Word Choice
Tone is formal and unbiased;
No personal pronouns; no slang; strong words appropriate to stance are used; no repetition of major words or text;
Tone is mostly formal and unbiased;
1 use of personal pronoun; 1 use of slang; word choice is mostly appropriate to stance; few repetitions of major words or text
Tone is somewhat formal and/or biased;
2-3 uses of personal pronouns; 2-3 uses of slang; word choice is somewhat appropriate to stance; some repetitions of major words or text
Tone is informal and or/unbiased;
4+ uses of personal pronouns; 4+ uses of slang; word choice is basic and repetitive
Grammar, Spelling, and Mechanics
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are correct; no or few errors
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are mostly correct; some errors
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are sometimes correct; several errors
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are frequently incorrect; frequent errors; lack of correct CUPS; interferes with understanding
Element
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 points
Introductory Paragraph
Original hook engages the reader’s curiosity
Background info is relevant; clearly develops into thesis
Thesis/claim is strong; clearly stated; correct location
Hook is somewhat interesting
Background info is relevant; partially develops into thesis
Thesis/claim is stated and in the correct location
Hook restates the prompt; unoriginal
Background info leaves reader with questions
Thesis/claim is missing or in the incorrect location
Hook does not engage the reader or is missing
Background info is missing important topics for clarity or is missing
Thesis/claim is missing or is confusing and in the incorrect location
Organization & Transitions
Ideas are coherently organized into separate body paragraphs; topic sentences are complete
Transitions are used correctly/sufficiently; essay flows logically
Ideas are somewhat organized into separate body paragraphs; topic sentences are complete
Transitions are used correctly at the beginning of each body paragraph & conclusion; sometimes used within body paragraphs
Ideas do not begin and end when they should; topic sentences are incomplete or are in incorrect locations
Missing 1 body paragraph or conclusion transition; occasionally used within body paragraphs
Ideas are disorganized; topic sentences do not control the paragraph or paragraphs are not used at all
Missing 2+ body paragraphs or conclusion transitions; rarely used within body paragraphs; lacks flow or transitions are not used
Evidence & Elaboration
All evidence is relevant & clearly connects to the thesis
Titles of the passage are used within all body paragraphs for all pieces of evidence.
All explanation & elaboration sentences clarify and extend ideas; context is present
Most evidence is relevant and connects to the thesis
Titles of passages are used within most body paragraphs for most pieces of evidence.
Most explanation & elaboration sentences clarify and extend ideas; context is mostly present
Missing 1 piece of evidence or half are irrelevant
Titles of the passages are only used occasionally throughout the essay.
Explanation & elaboration sentences clarify but do not extend ideas; context is sometimes present
Missing 2+ pieces of evidence or 3+ pieces of evidence are irrelevant
No reference to passages
Explanation & elaboration sentences are insufficient; context is rarely or not present
Concluding Paragraph
Conclusion stays on topic; provides closure; (3 parts: restates thesis in new way, brief summary restating ideas, and closing with a relevant thought).
Conclusion mostly stays on topic; somewhat provides closure; (3 parts)
Conclusion strays from topic or missing 1 part
Conclusion excessively strays from topic or missing 2 parts or is missing altogether
Tone and Word Choice
Tone is formal and unbiased;
No personal pronouns; no slang; strong words appropriate to stance are used; no repetition of major words or text;
Tone is mostly formal and unbiased;
1 use of personal pronoun; 1 use of slang; word choice is mostly appropriate to stance; few repetitions of major words or text
Tone is somewhat formal and/or biased;
2-3 uses of personal pronouns; 2-3 uses of slang; word choice is somewhat appropriate to stance; some repetitions of major words or text
Tone is informal and or/unbiased;
4+ uses of personal pronouns; 4+ uses of slang; word choice is basic and repetitive
Grammar, Spelling, and Mechanics
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are correct; no or few errors
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are mostly correct; some errors
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are sometimes correct; several errors
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and usage are frequently incorrect; frequent errors; lack of correct CUPS; interferes with understanding
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### The Negative Impact of Television on Adults and Children
Television has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, offering entertainment and information at the click of a button. However, research consistently indicates that excessive television viewing poses significant risks to both adults and children, resulting in detrimental physical, mental, and social consequences. This essay explores the various harms associated with television consumption, shedding light on its broader implications for our health and well-being.
#### Physical Health Risks in Adults
One of the most alarming findings related to television viewing is its adverse impact on physical health, particularly cardiovascular health. A study that followed 8,800 adults over six years revealed a stark increase in mortality risk associated with prolonged television viewing. Specifically, individuals who watched four hours or more of TV daily were 80% more likely to die from heart disease compared to those who limited their viewing to less than two hours per day (Dunstan). This correlation raises critical public health concerns about sedentary behavior often associated with television watching.
The lead author of the study, Dr. David Dunstan, explains that sitting for extended periods while watching TV can disrupt metabolism and contribute to a range of health issues. Even with regular exercise, those who engage in excessive television viewing remain at a higher risk for health complications, as television does not merely replace exercise but also minimal physical activity. The American Heart Association emphasizes that "the more you move, the greater the health benefits," making it essential to incorporate movement into daily routines to counteract the negative effects of sitting (Dunstan).
#### Mental Health Risks in Adults
In addition to physical health risks, television consumption has been linked to mental health concerns. The passive nature of television watching can lead to feelings of disconnection and loneliness. Prolonged exposure to news and negative content may also contribute to anxiety and depression. Watching excessive television can create a false sense of reality, leading adults to internalize unrealistic standards or fear-based narratives presented in the media. Consequently, the reliance on television as a primary source of entertainment or information can hinder social interactions and lead to increased feelings of isolation.
#### Risks to Children
The implications of television viewing are even more concerning when it comes to children. A significant portion of children's programming is filled with violent and aggressive content. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that approximately 61% of TV programming contains violence, resulting in a staggering number of violent acts seen by children. By the end of grade school, a child who watches three to four hours of non-educational TV could witness up to 8,000 murders (AAP).
Exposure to this content is linked to increased aggression and antisocial behavior in children. Research conducted by New York University School of Medicine found that preschoolers who watch violent programming are eleven times more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors than their peers who watch less violent content. Additionally, a Columbia University study highlights a correlation between high television consumption and violent behavior later in life, as adolescents who watched more than an hour of TV daily exhibited increasing levels of aggression in their late teens and early twenties (AAP). These studies underscore the profound impact that media violence can have on the developing minds of children.
#### Developmental Concerns
Television viewing can inhibit healthy cognitive and social development in children. The AAP discourages screen time for children younger than two years old, advocating for direct interaction with caregivers as crucial for healthy brain growth. The lack of meaningful interaction can hinder the development of essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills, leading to delays in learning and socialization. While some educational programming can be beneficial, it remains critical for parents to monitor and limit screen time to ensure children engage in activities that promote healthy development.
### Conclusion
While television remains a significant aspect of daily life, it is crucial to recognize its potential harms to both adults and children. From increased risks of heart disease and mental health issues in adults to aggressive behavior and developmental challenges in children, the consequences of prolonged television viewing are far-reaching. Individuals and families are encouraged to adopt healthier viewing habits, limit screen time, and engage in activities that foster physical movement and social interaction. By doing so, we can mitigate the negative impacts of television and promote a healthier, more connected society.
Television has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, offering entertainment and information at the click of a button. However, research consistently indicates that excessive television viewing poses significant risks to both adults and children, resulting in detrimental physical, mental, and social consequences. This essay explores the various harms associated with television consumption, shedding light on its broader implications for our health and well-being.
#### Physical Health Risks in Adults
One of the most alarming findings related to television viewing is its adverse impact on physical health, particularly cardiovascular health. A study that followed 8,800 adults over six years revealed a stark increase in mortality risk associated with prolonged television viewing. Specifically, individuals who watched four hours or more of TV daily were 80% more likely to die from heart disease compared to those who limited their viewing to less than two hours per day (Dunstan). This correlation raises critical public health concerns about sedentary behavior often associated with television watching.
The lead author of the study, Dr. David Dunstan, explains that sitting for extended periods while watching TV can disrupt metabolism and contribute to a range of health issues. Even with regular exercise, those who engage in excessive television viewing remain at a higher risk for health complications, as television does not merely replace exercise but also minimal physical activity. The American Heart Association emphasizes that "the more you move, the greater the health benefits," making it essential to incorporate movement into daily routines to counteract the negative effects of sitting (Dunstan).
#### Mental Health Risks in Adults
In addition to physical health risks, television consumption has been linked to mental health concerns. The passive nature of television watching can lead to feelings of disconnection and loneliness. Prolonged exposure to news and negative content may also contribute to anxiety and depression. Watching excessive television can create a false sense of reality, leading adults to internalize unrealistic standards or fear-based narratives presented in the media. Consequently, the reliance on television as a primary source of entertainment or information can hinder social interactions and lead to increased feelings of isolation.
#### Risks to Children
The implications of television viewing are even more concerning when it comes to children. A significant portion of children's programming is filled with violent and aggressive content. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that approximately 61% of TV programming contains violence, resulting in a staggering number of violent acts seen by children. By the end of grade school, a child who watches three to four hours of non-educational TV could witness up to 8,000 murders (AAP).
Exposure to this content is linked to increased aggression and antisocial behavior in children. Research conducted by New York University School of Medicine found that preschoolers who watch violent programming are eleven times more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors than their peers who watch less violent content. Additionally, a Columbia University study highlights a correlation between high television consumption and violent behavior later in life, as adolescents who watched more than an hour of TV daily exhibited increasing levels of aggression in their late teens and early twenties (AAP). These studies underscore the profound impact that media violence can have on the developing minds of children.
#### Developmental Concerns
Television viewing can inhibit healthy cognitive and social development in children. The AAP discourages screen time for children younger than two years old, advocating for direct interaction with caregivers as crucial for healthy brain growth. The lack of meaningful interaction can hinder the development of essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills, leading to delays in learning and socialization. While some educational programming can be beneficial, it remains critical for parents to monitor and limit screen time to ensure children engage in activities that promote healthy development.
### Conclusion
While television remains a significant aspect of daily life, it is crucial to recognize its potential harms to both adults and children. From increased risks of heart disease and mental health issues in adults to aggressive behavior and developmental challenges in children, the consequences of prolonged television viewing are far-reaching. Individuals and families are encouraged to adopt healthier viewing habits, limit screen time, and engage in activities that foster physical movement and social interaction. By doing so, we can mitigate the negative impacts of television and promote a healthier, more connected society.
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