"Games" by
Steven Johnson Questions on rhetoric and style:
1.
What is the thesis of Johnson’s argument? Is there one sentence
(or several) that states it or is it implicitly stated?
a.
In the essay "Games" by Steven Johnson (2005), Johnson's
thesis is that playing video games is not better or worse than reading, but
instead games exercise different skills. This thesis is implicit and is not
outright stated in the text.
2.
How does opening with the counterargument (in pars. 1 and 2) lay
the foundation for Johnson’s argument?
a.
The counterargument in paragraphs 1 and 2 lays the foundation for
his argument because it addresses the common assumptions that today’s society
has about video games. He then later goes on to address these assumptions or
conventional wisdom head on. This is an underscored aspect of common Rogerian
style arguments.
3.
Discuss the effect of citing Dr. Spock and Andrew Solomon
in the opening paragraphs. What purpose does Johnson achieve?
a.
In the opening paragraphs of "Games," Johnson was able
to strengthen his argument and provide an appropriate layout for the thesis
throughout the rest of his paper. It was effective for the reasons that he was
able to bring in ethos for his readers from both sides. By quoting Dr. Spock
and Andrew Solomon he raised his chances of grasping the attention of the
opposing side, hence raising his chances of persuading those who did not agree
with his argument in the beginning.
4.
What rhetorical strategies does Johnson use in his imagined
response to the book as a challenge to the accepted practice of gaming (par.3)?
Use your notes from EaA and/or your Glossary of Terms to help you with this.
a.
In paragraph 3, Johnson uses rhetorical strategies such as diction,
syntax, and visual language in his imagined response to the book as a challenge
to the accepted practice of gaming to effectively create a hypothetical
argument to switch places of the arguments adversaries. Through these
strategies, Johnson creates an overall negative feeling towards books and a
positive feeling towards video games
5.
What does Johnson mean by “a kind of amplified selectivity” in
paragraph 4?
a.
When he says, "a kind of amplified selectivity" in paragraph
4, Johnson means people only focus on certain isolated properties of books, and
they projects worst-case scenarios based on these properties and their
potential effects on the 'younger generation'" (pg 198).
6.
Discuss how Johnson uses analogy to develop his argument. Consider
examples in paragraphs 5 and 11.
a.
Johnson utilizes analogy to develop his argument because by doing
so he highlight the faults of the other side. He says, “When I read these
ostensibly positive accounts of video games, the strike me as the equivalent of
writing a story about eh merits of the great novels and focusing on how reading
them can improve your spelling,” (Johnson 200). By using an analogy such as
this, he illustrates how the benefits video games are, in fact, not being
displayed in full color. These facts being said about them might be true, but
are not showing the full picture.
7.
What specific beliefs and assumptions does Johnson challenge as he
develops his argument?
a.
As Johnson develops his argument, he challenges the belief that
reading books beats video games when it comes to your mind and intelligence,
and that because they each have their own advantages and disadvantages, it is
wrong to put them in the same category to show which is better. He used social
media as a similar example, to make the assumption that both can be good if
looked at individually.
8.
What effect does the shift between second and third person have on
the essay? How does this shift help Johnson achieve his purpose?
a.
In "Games," the shift between second and third person
helps separate the two medias, books and games. He achieves his purpose because
he refuses to put them in the same category to one another, thereby bringing
out each of their importance. This
separation allows people to appreciate their own advantages and capabilities,
and even mark down on their disadvantages.
9.
Discuss at least three ways that Johnson establishes ethos in this
essay. Cite specific passages that illustrate the relationship he tries to
develop between himself and his audience.
a.
Johnson establishes ethos by displaying relevance to his audience
by quoting Dr. Spock and using societal figures such as Michael Jordan. He also
establishes ethos by using a Rogerian argument and exemplifying how the
counterargument could also be right in addition to his own. Another way Johnson
establishes his ethos is by not only stating a claim, but also exemplifying the
claim. For example, he states, “in the presence of the recent past inevitably
colors your vision of the emerging form, highlighting the flaws and
imperfections,” (Johnson 197). He then goes on, “In this parallel universe,
kids have been playing games for centuries—and then these page-bound texts come
along and they’re all the rage. What would teachers, and the parents and the
cultural authorities have to say about this frenzy of reading?” (Johnson 197). This
helps him develop ethos because he exemplifies his points clearly.
Sources: Johnson, Steven. "Games." 50
Essays: A Portable Anthology. By Samuel S. Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's,
2007. N. pag. Print.
