Instructions

Write an essay (determine whether argumentative or informative) that answers the prompt. (Remember that thesis/claim+reasons should be in the introduction, body paragraphs should develop/support with evidence, and to make sure to address the opposing argument (if argumentative).  Make sure to allow enough time to add a conclusion paragraph and revise/re-read your work.

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You will read:
▶▶ A R ADIO INTERVIEW

The Dangers of Cyberbullying

▶▶ AN INFORMATIONAl
ARTIClE
Sacrificing the First Amendment to
Catch “Cyberbullies”

▶▶ A FAC T SHEET
What is Cyberbullying?

You will write:
▶▶ AN ARGUMENTATIVE

ESSAY
Should individuals be prosecuted
for statements made on social
media?

Should individuals be
prosecuted for statements
made on social media?

Perform the task

Unit 1: Argumentative Essay 23

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As you reAd Look for
evidence that supports your
position—or inspires you to
change your position on this
question: Should individuals
be prosecuted for statements
made on social media?

notes

1.  Analyze 2.  Practice 3.  Perform

Part 1: Read Sources
Source 1: Radio Interview

September 25, 2009 – BRETT WARNKE, moderator:

Until recently, children who were victims of bullying in the
classroom or on the playground could find peace at home.
But with a surge in the popularity of new technology among
children and teens, bullying has become a problem that
doesn’t always stop at the end of the school day. As bullies
turn to email, text messaging, or even social networking sites,
cyberbullying has infiltrated the confines of the home, as was
the case with 13-year-old Megan Meier.

In 2008, Lori Drew was convicted of violating the Computer
Fraud and Abuse Act after creating a fake Myspace account.
Assuming the fake identity of a teenage boy, Drew used the
account to f lirt with, and then later break up with, Megan
Meier. However, the case was later appealed, and the charges
lessened.

In response to the case, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez is
sponsoring the Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Prevention Act.
The bill would make bullying through an electronic means a
federal crime. Child psychologist and strong supporter of the
bill, Ms. Eden Foster, joins us today in the studio. Welcome.

Psychologist EDEN

FOSTER: Thank you.

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The Dangers of
Cyberbullying

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by Brett Warnke

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notes
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WARNKE: Thanks for joining us. Now, what exactly does the
proposed bill seek to accomplish?

FOSTER: The Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Prevention Act helps
to define what is covered under the term “cyberbullying.” For
instance, in order for a behavior to be defined as cyberbullying,
it must be repeated, hostile, and severe with the intent to
embarrass, threaten, or harass. We included the term repeated
in our definition so that actions that are a part of an isolated
incident, such as telling someone you hate him or her in the
midst of a verbal argument, is not considered cyberbullying.

WARNKE: But shouldn’t law enforcement officials be focusing
on the kinds of crimes that affect more people? Cyberbullying
might seem somewhat trivial, as it only affects only two people:
the bully and the victim.

FOSTER: Although cyberbullying may seem insignificant in the
big picture, in a survey conducted in 2006, nearly 1 in 3 teens
admitted to being the victim of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying
can also lead to kids getting physically injured. This bill ensures
that someone is held accountable for the behavior that led to
someone getting hurt. And by passing the Prevention Act, we’re
deterring people from engaging in cyberbullying by showing
such behavior is a punishable crime that won’t be tolerated.

WARNKE: What are the differences between bullying and
cyberbullying?

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Close Read

What is a limitation of the proposed law that Ms. Foster cites?

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notes
1.  Analyze 2.  Practice 3.  Perform
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FOSTER: Conventional bullying usually takes place between two
people in the same place at the same time. On the other hand,
the victim and the bully don’t even need to know each other for
cyberbullying to occur. It’s much harder to f lee a cyberbully, as
they can “attack” through a variety of electronic means. The
effects of cyberbullying can also reach a much wider audience,
due to popularity of social networking sites.

WARNKE: But then, why don’t kids just “unplug”?

FOSTER: Technology has become an essential part of our
society and our homes. Use of technology has extended beyond
simple entertainment. For example, teens often use their cell
phones to contact their parents in emergency situations, not
just to send texts with their friends or play games.

WARNKE: How has the bill been received by Congress so far?

FOSTER: There has been a lot of support in Congress from both
the democratic and republican parties, not only for the Cyber
Bullying Prevention Act, but also other legislation that raises
community awareness about cyberbullying and ways to prevent
it. I’m confident the bill will be very successful.

WARNKE: Thanks so much for coming in.

FOSTER: Thank you.

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Close Read

Which is more difficult to avoid: bullying or cyberbullying? Cite text
evidence to support your answer.

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As you reAd Pay
attention to the evidence the
author presents. Jot down
comments or questions
about the text in the side
margin.

notes
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Source 2: Informational Article

Sacrificing the First Amendment
to Catch “Cyberbullies”

For some reason, a handful of Democratic New York State
senators think that the First Amendment should be treated
“not as a right but as a privilege,” implying that the right to
free speech should essentially be revocable1 to prevent “abuses”
of free speech including “f laming” (sending angry, rude,
or obscene messages to people online) and other forms of
“cyberbullying.” I only wish I was kidding.

NY State Senators want NY citizens to be criminally
prosecuted for cyberbullying, where they define cyberbullying
as a plethora2 of allegedly offensive acts on the Internet.
Hilariously, the Senators include “trolling” (posting deceptive
information to trick or provoke people online) and “exclusion”
(“intentionally and cruelly excluding someone from an online
group”) as part of their definition of cyberbullying. Thus, in
a sense, the Senators seem to imply that they want to not only
criminally prosecute harassment and deceptive tricks posted
online, but they also want to punish people for not allowing NY
citizens to join their online clubs.

As you can probably imagine, I find this absolutely
ridiculous.

First of all, the Senators are simply mistaken about the
First Amendment. Indeed, the First Amendment is regularly
limited by legislation in various ways, but this does not make

1 revocable can be recalled, withdrawn, or reversed
2 plethora a superabundance, an excess

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October 10th, 2011 by Kirk Sigmon

Unit 1: Argumentative Essay 27

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notes
1.  Analyze 2.  Practice 3.  Perform
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it some sort of nebulous3 “privilege” such that hurt feelings
justify its abridgement. The last time I checked, hurting
someone’s feelings—even in real life—never justified criminal
prosecution. It usually doesn’t justify civil litigation4 without
constituting outright slander5 or libel.6 Like it or not, implicit7
within the text of the First Amendment is the right to be as
cruel as one wants, right up to the point of libel or slander.

Moreover, it is patently offensive that these Senators wish
to essentially regulate the Internet. [In my opinion], regulation
of the Internet to “protect” children is incredibly stupid and
pointless, and a ridiculous attempt to assert US jurisdiction
over the Internet generally. The idea that one could be
criminally prosecuted for refusing to allow someone to join,
say, a guild in a video game, is preposterous.8 Moreover, the
idea that hurt feelings justify criminal prosecution at all is an
offensive use of the criminal justice system to prosecute minor
crimes, ultimately wasting judicial time and taxpayer resources.

The real solution to cyberbullying isn’t criminal
prosecution, it’s education and selective participation. Children
should be educated to manage and avoid offensive situations
on the Internet. If the child in question can’t handle that, they
should not use the Internet. It’s that simple.

3 nebulous lacking definite form or limits, vague
4 litigation a contested or argued legal proceeding
5 slander oral communication of false statements that damages a person’s reputation
6 libel a false publication that damages a person’s reputation
7 implicit implied or understood though not directly expressed
8 preposterous contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, absurd, foolish

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Close Read

The senators define exclusion as “intentionally and cruelly excluding
someone from an online group.” Why might the author find this
“absolutely ridiculous”? Cite text evidence in your response.

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notes
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Source 3: Fact Sheet

Discuss and Decide

Which fact in the sheet most strongly indicates that cyberbullying is a
serious problem? Cite text evidence in your discussion.

Unit 1: Argumentative Essay 29

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1.  Analyze 2.  Practice 3.  Perform
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Respond to Questions on Step 3 Sources
These questions will help you think about the sources you’ve read and 
viewed. Use your notes and refer to the sources in order to answer the 
questions. Your answers to these questions will help you write your essay.

1 Is the evidence from one source more credible than the evidence from
another source? When you evaluate the credibility of a source, consider
the expertise of the author and/or the organization responsible for the
information. Record your reasons.

Source Credible? Reasons

Radio Interview
The Dangers of
Cyberbullying

Informational Article
Sacrificing the First
Amendment to catch
“Cyberbullies”

Fact Sheet
What is Cyberbullying?

2 Prose Constructed-Response You have read three texts about
cyberbullying. All three take a position on cyberbullying. Analyze the
strengths of the arguments made in at least two of the texts. Remember
to use textual evidence to support your ideas.

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Introduction

Opposing Claim

Concluding Section

Reason/Evidence Reason/Evidence Reason/Evidence

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Part 2: Write

Assignment

You have read about social media, free speech,
and cyberbullying. Now write an argumentative
essay explaining why you agree or disagree with
the idea that individuals should be prosecuted
for statements made on social media. Support
your claim with details from what you have
read.

Plan
Use the graphic organizer to help you outline the structure of your
argumentative essay.

Unit 1: Argumentative Essay 31

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1.  Analyze 2.  Practice 3.  Perform
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Draft
Use your notes and completed graphic organizer to write a first draft of
your argumentative essay.

Revise and Edit
Look back over your essay and compare it to the Evaluation Criteria.
Revise your essay and edit it to correct spelling, grammar, and
punctuation errors.

Evaluation Criteria
Your teacher will be looking for:

1. Statement of purpose

▶ ▶ Is your claim specific?

▶ ▶ Did you support it with valid reasons?

▶ ▶ Did you anticipate and address opposing claims fairly?

2. Organization

▶ ▶ Are the sections of your essay organized in a logical way?

▶ ▶ Is there a smooth flow from beginning to end?

▶ ▶ Is there a clear conclusion that supports the argument?

▶ ▶ Did you stay on topic?

3. Elaboration of evidence

▶ ▶ Is the evidence relative to the topic?

▶ ▶ Is there enough evidence to be convincing?

4. Language and vocabulary

▶ ▶ Did you use a formal, non-combative tone?

▶ ▶ Did you use vocabulary familiar to your audience?

5. Conventions

▶ ▶ Did you follow the rules of grammar usage as well as punctuation, capitalization, and
spelling?

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