Question

The purpose of paragraph 2 is mainly to —
A
analyze the author’s use of diction and tone
B
analyze the author’s use of a persuasive appeal
C
inform the reader about the risks of social media
D
persuade the reader to limit their time on social media
2 Rolfe begins the argument by illustrating several examples of worst-case scenarios and statistics related to the most extreme examples of how selfie culture can be dangerous. She writes that “more people died in 2015 from selfies than from shark attacks” and that people have “perished in all manner of ways from being mauled by wild animals to falling off cliffs to countless traffic accidents.” She also includes statistics to reinforce the claim that selfies can lead to catastrophic consequences. This sets the stage for her thesis that selfies “do have harmful psychological effects that can be especially destructive for women.” Rolfe goes on to use expert testimony from clinical psychologist Lucie Hemmen whose ideas support Rolfe’s claim that women are vulnerable to the negative side effects of taking selfies and posting them on social media. Hemmen argues that “women, especially teen women, can lose touch with their true identity” and that women can even “lose the ability to accept themselves and embrace their flaws.” Rolfe further supports her argument by using research from a study conducted at York University. By quoting the findings, Rolfe logically argues that “most women who engage in posting and viewing selfies feel worse” and uses the study to emphasize this point. By employing logos, Rolfe adeptly convinces the reader of the drawbacks of posting self-portraits on social media.

Answer 1

B

The paragraph explains how Rolfe uses statistics, expert testimony, and a study—i.e., logical appeals (logos)—to support her claim about the harms of selfie culture.