Name: Teoh Jun Xiang

Student ID: 0322099

Lecturer: Miss Thivilojana

Module: English 1 (ENGL0105/ELG 30505)

Session: January 2015

Question:

1. Nowadays many people have access to computers on a wide basis and a large

number of children play computer games for long hours on a regular basis. What do

you think are the causes or effects of this condition? Plan your response, and then

write a cause or effect essay.

Submission date: 29 April 2015

Prewriting (Listing)

Thesis statement:

There are three effects as a result of this occurring situation, which are easy access to

information, better communication and an increase in aggressive behaviors.

First paragraph:

a. Topic sentence:

Firstly, wide access to computers causes information to be attained a lot more

easily.

b. Supporting details:

Computers have become the backbone of Information Technology

the Internet is a virtual treasure trove of information

Search engines assist users to look for information

Second paragraph:

a. Topic sentence:

Secondly, wide access to computers by the public leads to better communication.

b. Supporting details:

There are many facilities on the Internet that help us to communicate with each

other such as E-mail and Facebook.

Creates a better understanding among people from all walks of life

We get to stay in touch with those who are living far away.

Third paragraph:

a. Topic sentence:

Finally, children who play computer games for long hours on a regular basis tend to

experience behavioral changes.

b. Supporting details:

Computer games nowadays are filled with violent content.

Players move up levels by engaging in acts of violence.

Less than half of parents restrict what the child can watch or play.

Conclusion:

a. Restate thesis statement:

In a nutshell, there are three effects as a result of this occurring situation, which are

easy access to information, better communication and an increase in aggressive

behaviors.

b. Opinion:

In my opinion, the positive effects of computer usage far outweigh its negative

effects as long as precautions and preventive measures are taken to keep the

problems at bay.

c. Suggestions:

Therefore, the authorities as well as the society should work hand in hand and take

necessary actions to tax the occurring problems relating to frequent computer

usage.

d. Hope:

That way, a moderate and informative society can be created.

Effects of wide access of computers and computer games

As the 21st century looms ahead, advancements of mankind have been evident

over the years. One of those significant developments is the computer. A computer is a

complex machine that carries out calculations and computations and the word computer

evolved in 1613 and continued till the end of the 19th century. Computers have become

so important that mankind simply cannot live without it. Nowadays, many people have

access to computers on a wide basis and a large number of children play computer

games for long periods of time on a regular basis. This causes the public to question

what are the effects of this condition. There are three effects as a result of this occurring

situation, which are easy access to information, better communication and an increase

in aggressive behaviors.

Firstly, wide access to computers causes information to be attained a lot more

easily. Pujari, S. (2005) stated that computers have become the backbone of

Information Technology and a major application in this sector is the Internet. Everything

in the modern society seems to be possible with the existence of the Internet.

Pondered.org (2006) suggested that the Internet is a virtual treasure trove of information

as any kind of information on any topic under the sun can be available on the Internet.

This is very true as various search engines available on the Internet, such as Google,

Bing as well as Yahoo! Search assists its users to search for any data related to any

topic by just a few taps on the keyboard. Therefore, we do not have to go through all the

hassle of flipping through all those thick and heavy books in the library just to look for an

answer relating to a small question. Life has been made simpler as information can be

attained more easily due to the existence of computers.

Secondly, wide access to computers by the public leads to better communication.

Alfitrah 8.5 (2013, March 14) commented that there are many facilities on the Internet

that help us to communicate with each other such as E-mail, Facebook, Twitter and

many more. All these facilities enable people from different parts of the world to

communicate with each other and to learn about their diverse cultures, ethnics, family

background, religious practices as well as thinking. This is useful in promoting world

peace as it creates a better understanding among people from all walks of life and in the

process reducing misconceptions that leads to disputes. Moreover, UK Essays (2015)

suggested that through social networking, we get to stay in touch with those who are

living far away from us or have not been in contact for a long span of time. This is the

result of the development of social networking websites. By a few clicks on the mouse,

we are able to have a friendly chat with someone without even spending a single cent.

We can also learn about our friends’ recent actions as social networking websites

constantly updates its users regarding their friends’ latest movements anytime and

anywhere. Therefore, wide access to computers by the public leads to better

communication.

Finally, children who play computer games for long hours on a regular basis tend

to experience behavioral changes. Studies show that computer games with violent

content are a cause to more aggressive behaviors among teens as most of the popular

computer games contain violence. Palo Alto Medical Foundation (2015) stated that in

most of the popular games, players move up levels by winning fights or battles and they

directly benefit from engaging in acts of violence.Gentile & Anderson (2003) commented

that aggressive behaviors among children are caused as violent acts are continually

repeated throughout the games. This method of repetition has long been considered an

effective teaching method in reinforcing learning patterns. Pediatrics (Nov, 2008)also

stated that research has also discovered that children who played more violent video

games during the beginning of the school year showed more aggression than other

children later in the school year. Kaiser Family Foundation (2010) also commented that

youths with ages ranging from eight to eighteen devote seven-and-a-half hours a day to

the entertainment media and unfortunately, less than half of the kids surveyed said their

parents have rules about the shows and games they can watch or play. As a result,

children who play computer games for long hours on a regular basis tend to experience

behavioral changes.

In a nutshell, there are three effects as a result of this occurring situation, which

are easy access to information, better communication and an increase in aggressive

behaviors. In my opinion, the positive effects of computer usage far outweigh its

negative effects as long as precautions and preventive measures are taken to keep the

problems at bay. Therefore, the authorities as well as the society should work hand in

hand and take necessary actions to tax the occurring problems relating to frequent

computer usage. That way, a moderate and informative society can be created.

(824 words)

References

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bad-effects-of-video-games

Alfitrah 8.5 (2013, March 14). Argumentative Essay: Advantages and Disadvantages of

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Heron. (2015). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet [Blogpost]. Retrieved

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essay-1/

Norcia, A. (2014, June). The Impact of Video Games. Retrieved April 25, 2015 from

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