Rhetorical Analysis of Jean’s Article

Rhetorical Analysis of Jean’s Article

 Jean, in her article, “Has the Smartphone Destroyed a Generation?” discusses the impact of smartphones on the iGen. The author creates awareness on the harmful effects of the technology devices on the teens, and rally for the need to minimize the use of smartphones to protect them. The article reveals that iGen has less allure for independence, and socialization compared the generation X, and the Boomers. Twenge (9) explains that the iGen experience multiple cases of depression and mental problems due to their habit of spending the most time on the phone.  The report adds that today’s teens also have many sleep deprivation cases. The article uses multiple writing strategies to present its argument and appeal to its audience.  The author has employed comparison and contrast throughout the paper. She as well uses narration and analyzing cause and effect strategies to present its argument effectively. The article also effectively utilizes rhetorical appeals to convince its readers. This paper examines whether the article effectively uses its writing strategies to present its arguments as well as the appeal ethos, pathos, and logos

Twenge begins his arguments that smartphones have destroyed this generation by narrating. This is the strategy where the author tells stories about people or an event.  The narration has helped the author in providing a strong argument that captures the reader as one begins to read the article. Twenge narrates the experience of a teen called Athena, whom she considers as an iGen. The article discusses the conversation Jean had with Athena about her, and her friends who use smartphones. The author, as well talks about Athena and her friends’ experience outside their homes, such as the mall. This clearly provides credible evidence to the author’s arguments that the iGen spend most of the time with smartphones compared to other activities and that this device significantly affects the teen.

Notably, the Twenge narration strategy provides evidence for his arguments since it broadly illustrates his points. Arguments are an individual perspective, which is often different from one person to another. However, when one provides evidence, such a real-life story, the argument seizes to just an opinion but shows it is valid; it strengthen one’s point. Narrating allowed the author to tell about Athena’s experience with the smartphone, proving the author’s point it affects iGen teens. Besides providing evidence, the narration provides a better understanding of the audience, which rally the audience to agree and support her argument.

Additionally, the author employs multiple elements of appeals to rally the audience of her arguments. During the narration of Athena’s experience, Twenge uses a disappointing tone to illustrate the severity of the use of smartphones.  Twenge (7) explains that Athena got hurt by her friend’s action of ignoring her, and focusing on the phone when talking face to face. This story invokes a feeling of sympathy for the challenges teens go through due to the use of smartphones. The author uses figures throughout the article demonstrating the credibility of the author’s points. Twenge (1) elaborates that Athena is 13 years old, and has owned an iPhone since she was 11 years. Twenge (1) explains that he has been researching generational differences for 25 from the time he was a doctoral student of psychology when 22. This information appeals to ethos. It convinces the audience of the author’s expertise in this area.

The article as well effectively uses the writing strategy of comparison and contrast to present and strengthen his arguments. It is an organization strategy to illuminate differences and similarities. The article compares the behavior and life of teens of the iGen, Generation X, and Boomers. Twenge (3) elaborates that since the spread of the use of smartphones and the introduction of the iPhone and social media, there has been a drastic change of behavior and attitude among the teen compared to the Boomers generation X. She asserts that unlike millenniums, and generation X that engaged in multiple solicitations with teen participating in parties, smoking, and drinking alcohol, the iGen doesn’t participate in such misdemeanor. Twenge (5) indicates that today’s teens are less likely to date and engage in sexual activities, unlike Generation X and Baby Boomers. Twenge (5) asserts that there has been a high decline in the number of sexually active people with a drop of 40% since 1991. Also, the average teen is beginning to be sexually active in the 11^th grade a year later than Gen Xer.

The author uses comparison and contrast strategy to support his arguments as valid. By looking at the similarities and differences of various issues, the author comes with numerous points that are related, thus supporting her arguments. Jean compares dating trends, sexual activity, pregnancy rate, driving, and depression among Gen Xer, IGen, and millenniums. These data complement each other that smartphones adversely impact this generation. In her comparison and contrast, she uses numerous statistics to show her arguments are logical and credible. She uses a 2017 survey of more than 5,000 teens and two national surveys on the teens’ use of smartphones and sleeping. She also uses percentages to compare the different generations. These figures as well demonstrate the severity of the smartphone on this generation, thus appeal to the audience’s ethics.  As for pathos, the author illustrates the trend of girls experiencing cyberbullying and feeling left out, which leads to suicide compared to boys today inspire anger from the audience.

Analyzing the cause and effect has similarly been used by the author to demonstrate her arguments.  This strategy examines the reasons that lead to a particular phenomenon and its effect. Throughout the paper, the author identifies the impacts of the smartphone on this generations, and also examine the reason why iGen exhibit multiple cases of depression. According to Twenge (9), the effect of the frequent use of smartphones is the development of depression among teens. The author explains the cause of smartphone promoting depression is because teens that spend a lot on the phone are lonely. The article as well illuminates the effects of sleep deprivation, suicide, and lack of independence.   This strategy has contributed to rallying the audience on the validity of her arguments. It allows the author to explain the implication of this issue and how it impacts people in real life. It as well promotes the provision of evidence. In each effect of the smartphone, the author explains how it comes about hence providing support.  The article has multiple graphs that present figures on the effect of smartphones on iGen. He tells numerous stories on the impact of smartphones among teens that invoke pity. He also illustrates the effect in the way that urges the audience of the need to take action, appealing to ethics.

In conclusion, the frequent use of smartphones among the iGen has made them dependent on them and has resulted in multiple adverse effects. Today’s teens have drastically reduced personal interaction, and need for independence.  Similarly, a significant number of iGen teens demonstrate symptoms of depression due to developing distress and feeling lonely. Also, the trend of suicide and sleep deprivation have increased due to the overuse of smartphone that exposes teens to cyberbullying, and alienation.   There has generally been a dramatic shift in behavior and attitude with iGen that impacts adolescent behavior. Thus, there is a need for a parent, teacher, and government to impose smartphone control to avert this issue. It is a severe issue that also needs the involvement of a tech company to help promote responsible use. The author has effectively employed ethos, pathos, and logos to convince the audience. Even adults who are more informed about the repercussions of the dependence of smartphones are affected. I have a strong attachment to my smartphone, which has as well impacted my personal life and contributed to the unhealthy behavior of not exercising.