Who Is Kevin Alexander's Essay Myspace For Predators
John Doe
Professor Poop
Analyzing an Argument
English 1020-006
20 March 2014
Word Count: 573
An Effective Argument Kevin Alexander writes an article titled, “Myspace Not Responsible for Predators”. In the article he discusses the lawsuits towards Myspace for molestation. He believes that it is not Myspace’s fault for these terrible occurrences. He has a very strong, mainly one sided view of the subject, and that in no way could Myspace be responsible. The fact that these incidents happen is truly heartbreaking, but as far as Alexander’s argument goes it is very well put together. His argument is solid because it does have statistics, but on the weaker side it does not maintain a reasonable tone and it also has fallacies. First, Alexander’s argument offers some great statistics. Alexander tells us the insane amount of money the family is suing Myspace for “The family’s lawyer, Adam Loewy said the family is seeking $30 million worth of damages…”(119). At the time he wrote …show more content…
the article he states, “There are more than 80 million users on Myspace”(120). That being said I think that stat shows how easy it could be to have some problems and lawsuits towards the company. Surprisingly with the amount of users on the huge social media website he tells us, “So far, only three cases of molestation have hit the courts”(120). That really stands for something when a website has that many users and so few molestation lawsuits. Statistics really do provide a lot of pull for Alexander’s argument. However, this argument lacks a reasonable tone.
Alexander is arguing a touchy subject. He says, “The girl’s mother failed here several times”(120). This could really anger a good mother that had made a mistake. Alexander uses slang to voice his frustration in his argument by saying, “Get out of town, Mr. Loewy. Myspace is a business, and one that has never advertised itself as an online baby-sitting service”(119). His mindset is somewhat one sided. He states, “When creating an account, users must sign a waiver that states, ‘MySpace.com is not responsible for the conduct, whether online or offline, of any user of the MySpace Services.’ The 14-year-old signed this agreement, and thus signed away her protection under naiveté. This should be enough to get the suit thrown out, but it’s big trouble for the Internet if it isn’t”(120). He basically thinks that just because Myspace has a waiver that can be signed by fourteen year old that Myspace should not be
responsible. Finally, Alexander’s argument has fallacies. He has a couple slippery slope fallacies. He tells us, “The 14-year-old signed this agreement, and thus signed away her protection under naiveté. This should be enough to get the suit thrown out, but it’s big trouble for the Internet if it isn 't”(120), and also states, “If someone does something stupid while on the Internet, then that person can sue the Net”(120). These slippery slope fallacies mean that these couple small actions made by people on the internet will lead to harsh outcomes in the future. This argument at first glance for me was very well constructed. If I was not reading to find strengths and weaknesses I probably would not have found any. Although upon further inspection it does have flaws. The flaws are that it does not maintain a reasonable tone and sounds slightly accusatory, and that it contains some fallacies. On the other hand it does use statistics which greatly help an argument. In conclusion the flaws are minor and the essay is still effective in voicing the author’s opinion.
Works Cited
Alexander, Kevin. “Myspace Not Responsible for Predators.” The Structure of Argument. 6th ed. Ed. Annetter T Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 258-265. Print.
Outline
I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Introduction
B. Thesis: King’s letter made me respect him and the people who stand for their beliefs in a nonviolent manner, and it makes me want to strive to do the same for my beliefs.
II. First, the letter made me realize that he was the perfect person to end segregation.
A. His tone is never accusatory.
B. He has a wide vocabulary and is educated.
C. He thoroughly explains his thoughts and actions
III. Moreover, this letter made me realize how violent and malicious people were towards African American’s.
A. Church and house bombings
B. Police brutality
C. Unjust treatment in courts
IV. Finally, it showed me in order to change segregation and the future for African American’s he had to make tough sacrifices.
A. He could not fight back
B. Put his supporters in harm’s way
C. Lost his life in the end
V. Conclusion
Professor Poop
Analyzing an Argument
English 1020-006
20 March 2014
Word Count: 573
An Effective Argument Kevin Alexander writes an article titled, “Myspace Not Responsible for Predators”. In the article he discusses the lawsuits towards Myspace for molestation. He believes that it is not Myspace’s fault for these terrible occurrences. He has a very strong, mainly one sided view of the subject, and that in no way could Myspace be responsible. The fact that these incidents happen is truly heartbreaking, but as far as Alexander’s argument goes it is very well put together. His argument is solid because it does have statistics, but on the weaker side it does not maintain a reasonable tone and it also has fallacies. First, Alexander’s argument offers some great statistics. Alexander tells us the insane amount of money the family is suing Myspace for “The family’s lawyer, Adam Loewy said the family is seeking $30 million worth of damages…”(119). At the time he wrote …show more content…
the article he states, “There are more than 80 million users on Myspace”(120). That being said I think that stat shows how easy it could be to have some problems and lawsuits towards the company. Surprisingly with the amount of users on the huge social media website he tells us, “So far, only three cases of molestation have hit the courts”(120). That really stands for something when a website has that many users and so few molestation lawsuits. Statistics really do provide a lot of pull for Alexander’s argument. However, this argument lacks a reasonable tone.
Alexander is arguing a touchy subject. He says, “The girl’s mother failed here several times”(120). This could really anger a good mother that had made a mistake. Alexander uses slang to voice his frustration in his argument by saying, “Get out of town, Mr. Loewy. Myspace is a business, and one that has never advertised itself as an online baby-sitting service”(119). His mindset is somewhat one sided. He states, “When creating an account, users must sign a waiver that states, ‘MySpace.com is not responsible for the conduct, whether online or offline, of any user of the MySpace Services.’ The 14-year-old signed this agreement, and thus signed away her protection under naiveté. This should be enough to get the suit thrown out, but it’s big trouble for the Internet if it isn’t”(120). He basically thinks that just because Myspace has a waiver that can be signed by fourteen year old that Myspace should not be
responsible. Finally, Alexander’s argument has fallacies. He has a couple slippery slope fallacies. He tells us, “The 14-year-old signed this agreement, and thus signed away her protection under naiveté. This should be enough to get the suit thrown out, but it’s big trouble for the Internet if it isn 't”(120), and also states, “If someone does something stupid while on the Internet, then that person can sue the Net”(120). These slippery slope fallacies mean that these couple small actions made by people on the internet will lead to harsh outcomes in the future. This argument at first glance for me was very well constructed. If I was not reading to find strengths and weaknesses I probably would not have found any. Although upon further inspection it does have flaws. The flaws are that it does not maintain a reasonable tone and sounds slightly accusatory, and that it contains some fallacies. On the other hand it does use statistics which greatly help an argument. In conclusion the flaws are minor and the essay is still effective in voicing the author’s opinion.
Works Cited
Alexander, Kevin. “Myspace Not Responsible for Predators.” The Structure of Argument. 6th ed. Ed. Annetter T Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 258-265. Print.
Outline
I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Introduction
B. Thesis: King’s letter made me respect him and the people who stand for their beliefs in a nonviolent manner, and it makes me want to strive to do the same for my beliefs.
II. First, the letter made me realize that he was the perfect person to end segregation.
A. His tone is never accusatory.
B. He has a wide vocabulary and is educated.
C. He thoroughly explains his thoughts and actions
III. Moreover, this letter made me realize how violent and malicious people were towards African American’s.
A. Church and house bombings
B. Police brutality
C. Unjust treatment in courts
IV. Finally, it showed me in order to change segregation and the future for African American’s he had to make tough sacrifices.
A. He could not fight back
B. Put his supporters in harm’s way
C. Lost his life in the end
V. Conclusion