Question

In this section, you’ll evaluate the effectiveness of a text's structure, including whether it clarifies and enhances its points.

Over several months, you’ve read pieces focused on technology and its complex issues.

You’ve written a satirical article to be published in a literary group’s monthly newsletter. You’re sharing the article with your friends today to get feedback before it goes online.

As you read the first part of the article, one of your friends asks if the central argument in the article is clear.

Here’s an excerpt from the article-

“The almighty cell phone (most likely an iPhone). What did we do before its existence? Did we fill our time with uncivilized things such as reading books, staring up at the sky on a beautiful day, or enjoying the chirping of birds on our walk to the car? Truly, this was a time akin to the Dark Ages. But luckily, we’ve been rescued by the likes of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.”

How did you develop the central argument in the article?
Question 1 options:

You offer two different viewpoints on cell phones and explain the strength of each viewpoint.


You present a series of rhetorical questions to engage the reader to think about the issue of cell phones.


You mention influential members of society to showcase the tremendous advancements they have made in technology.


You remind the reader what life was like in the Dark Ages and remind them they don't want to return to that time.

Answer 1

You present a series of rhetorical questions to engage the reader to think about the issue of cell phones.

(Although the excerpt does name Steve Jobs and Wozniak and uses a “Dark Ages” exaggeration, the primary technique used to develop the argument is rhetorical questioning and satire.)