The Negative Impact That Social Media Has Implied On Teen Parties Has Created Much Chaos In Recent Media

Language Analysis

The negative impact that social media has implied on teen parties has created much chaos in recent media. A Herald Sun opinion piece, “Thanks to social media, teen parties are not worth it” written by the perspective of a mother Wendy Tuohy, has put forward the reasons why social media has such a huge impact on teen parties. In a mixture of aggressive, sympathetic and worried tone Wendy declares her view that social media has created a preeminent interference in teen parties, where not much supervision is obtained it is becoming a major issue for parents to deal with gatecrashers and to live in fear for their kids safety. The use of emotive language and mixture of tones creates awareness for parents to stop allowing their kids attend parties that are not well suited for their age or to either deal with the appalling consequences . Where such issues are becoming a major disaster for parents and teens themselves it is not secure for teens to hold such disastrous parties until ‘they get a decent do when they are 18’.

Throughout the article the repetition of the word ‘social media’ seeks to coerce the reader into believing that social media is the main factor why teens parties are at risk. The term ‘Social media’ is being attacked by the writer to ensure the reader continuously agrees with her view. Wendy Tuohy attempts to mention ‘social media’ at least once in each paragraph, this achieves the reader to be inJluenced that social media is the deJinite cause for issues in teen parties. “Thanks to social media saturation in the lives of contemporary kids , we feel powerless to prevent them being in a situation where some idiot crasher could deliver the punch that destroys a life”. Wendy presents a tone of sarcasm in the phrase ‘thanks to social media’, to enforce her opinion towards the reader. This repetitive device is aimed to ensure the reader isn't manipulated by the corresponding view. However the strongest literary device in the article, the use of anecdote is used to persuade the reader in many ways.

The use of anecdote strengthens the article by providing a view from

a mother who has experienced issues relating to her son’s teen party. Wendy Tuohy has experienced complications in the past relating to a party her son attended, she views it as critical for every parent to head their kids in the direction that wouldn't negatively affect their future. “My eldest son is not yet 16 but has already been to a party also attended by the police air wing”. This Jirst sentence in the introduction straight away allows the reader to emphasise with Wendy and to provide thoughts of concern. In comparison to an article written without an anecdote and not in Jirst person, this article ‘Thanks to social media, teens parties are not worth it’ provides a clear concept and portrays Wendy’s view in a serious and concerned way. In comparison the use of connotations and emotive words enhances the articles overall tone.

The article provides various forms of connotations and emotive language that assist in persuading the reader toward a particular view. Highly emotive language, for example debacle, dreaded, unbearable, and tragedy inJluences us to believe with the writers view by engaging our emotions in a certain way. This is highly persuasive as it encourages the reader to respond on an emotional level rather considering the facts involved. Along with emotive

language the reader engages our attention through the use of connotations, words such as dreaded, tearful and weakened have a negative effect on the reader, it is used in the article to generate responses on a particular topic and to persuade us that social media has a real effect on such tragedies occurring.

Overall Wendy Tuohy has managed to persuade the readers into thinking social media has created a preeminent interference in teen parties and therefore major issues arise from these parties. The article displays major techniques such as anecdote, repetition, emotive language and connotation to persuade the reader in agreeing to the writers main point of view. Overall Wendy Tuohy has successfully persuaded its audience towards its contention.