Summary Of The Digital Parent Trap

Counterarguing claims of the detrimental effects of technology exposure, Eliana Dockterman writes persuasively of the contrary, the significant benefits of exposure starting from a young age. It is through many detailed and complex techniques that she strongly develops her argument in “The Digital Parent Trap.” Using ethos, logical statistics, and diction, the author is able to build a well-founded argument to be used to persuade her audience. Throughout the article, Dockterman references well-known establishments to further legitimize her argument. While establishing the counter argument, she mentions Waldorf Schools, a private group of schools that wants to restrict the amount of technology used in the classroom. Mentioning a prestigious
Dockterman uses strong words and their connotations to establish the desired tone. The author uses words and phrases like ‘this generation,’ ‘urgent,’ ‘new studies’ and ‘recent’ to emphasize the current concern for the issue. These words show how the problem is currently applicable and how the most up to date information is being pulled together to make this argument. Dockterman also uses words to accentuate the importance of her argument. For instance, she says the phrase, “the most convincing argument for early-age tech fluency.” Not only is the argument mentioned seen as convincing, but it is the most convincing, drawing attention to it and elevating its significance. By using ‘fluency,’ a word with a positive tone as it refers to the capability of being fluent, she emphasizes technology as a skill. She also used the phrase, “that retention rate skyrockets to 90%.” ‘Skyrockets’ is a synonym for increases, yet has a more positive connotation; it is seen to be more than just an increase. Dockterman concludes the article saying, “None of this means kids deserve unfettered access…monitoring is key. But parents should keep an open mind…” The words, ‘unfettered’ and ‘open mind,’ are examples of tone usage in word choice. ‘Unfettered’ has a negative connotation and reflects the author’s opinion of not having unrestricted availability to children. ‘Open mind’ is a phrase with a positive connotation and shows how the author wants you to be open to the issue. By associating connotation with what the author wants to prove and disprove, she develops her argument to be stronger solely on the words she chose. The word choice and connotation used throughout the article directs the focus of the audience as well as builds the