Question

Read the two passages.

Passage 1

Violence in video games is unavoidable. More than half of the top video games contain some element of violence. Does this lead to violence in the real world? Logical people know the answer, and the facts prove it. Between 1994 and 2004, video game sales increased by 204 percent. During that same time period, the arrest rate for juveniles committing violent crimes decreased by 63 percent. These facts make it obvious that video games are not a problem.

Passage 2

The majority of video games contain violence. Children playing these games leads directly to acts of violence. Several studies, including a 2014 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, have shown a correlation between persistent video game use and aggressive behavior. While my own children play video games, they do not play games labeled "Mature.” Simply avoiding these games and allowing children to play the thousands of other available games is a logical way to avoid a potential problem.

Which passage provides the more effective argument, and why?

Passage 1 is more effective because passage 2 relies on personal anecdotes as the main evidence.
Passage 1 is more effective because it uses overstatement for extra emphasis, and passage 2 does not.
Passage 2 is more effective because passage 1 contains a bandwagon appeal and a false dilemma.
Passage 2 is more effective because it presents data as empirical evidence, and passage 1 does not.

Answer 1

Passage 2 provides a more effective argument by presenting specific empirical evidence from studies and suggesting a moderate approach to video game content.

Step-by-step explanation:

The debate over whether violence in video games leads to real-world aggression is multifaceted. Passage 1 suggests that video games are not a problem, citing statistics that show a decrease in juvenile crime rates despite an increase in video game sales. However, Passage 2 points to research indicating a link between persistent video game use and aggressive behavior, and recommends moderation in the form of avoiding games with 'Mature' ratings.

When comparing the effectiveness of these arguments, Passage 2 provides a better argument because it refers to empirical evidence from studies and a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that while not all video games lead to violence, certain games may have a greater potential for negative impact. On the other hand, Passage 1 relies on correlational data that does not necessarily indicate causation and lacks the specificity and direct reference to research that strengthens Passage 2's case.

Answer 2

Passage 1 is more effective because passage 2 relies on personal anecdotes as the main evidence.

Step-by-step explanation:

Which passage provides the more effective argument, and why?