Analyzing An Argument

1.      1. His claim is clear. Advances in technology-specifically photo shop- is starting to cause a problem.

I do not see any clear thesis. Maybe “Transformations to models on magazines are now so unobtainable it can cause more harm than good both physically and mentally.”

2.      He makes many arguments such as extreme overuse of photo shop to people on magazines, and in his personal survey, 10/10 people thought Photo Shop was being extremely overused. Evidence that he uses to back up his reasoning is he restated what Alice Chen said, the use of Photoshop is so advanced and goes through so many editors, and it can alter every single part of the body. He also mentioned a quote from Ph. D, Vivian Diller as she explained how unrealistic body images can lead to adolescents having eating disorders.

2. Yes, I believe that his reasons are plausible because he gives his own ideas and stances on his topic, but then backs it up with facts and statistics from trustworthy people.

3.      His essay not only shows his own stance on the argument, but he includes two counterarguments too. His first counterargument was if we eliminate Photoshop, it would put people out of jobs. He then argued back that there would be a surplus of jobs in the same area in makeup design and photography that would make up for the job loss of Photoshop. The last counterargument that he makes is that it could put the businesses selling the products out of business because the ad does not enhance the product. He again argues back that people have always altered photos, but in a more natural way by using lighting and angles and image altering. We can still make the products stand out without over-doing-it with Photoshop.

3. I believe that he argued the counterarguments very well and gave very good and valid points to the counterarguments.

4.      In his essay he uses many authorities and sources. He first surveyed 10 of his closest friends and family members and asked them a survey. This source is not very credible considering he individually picked whom he was surveying. He also used Vivian Diller as a source. She has a Ph. D and wrote an article for the American Medical Association. This source is very credible and unbiased because she is referring to strictly medical reasoning’s to things. Lastly, he has Alice Chen as a source. She is also an author for her HerCampus website. This source seems credible enough and is pretty current.

5.    4.   The author addresses me as the reader in a way that he provides as much detail about the topic as he needs to in order for us to understand his topic clearly. He uses easy language for all audiences to understand. I believe the author and I have the same beliefs when it comes to technology. We both think that in today’s society, we are becoming too dependent on technology and have started to abuse it.