McCutchen 1 Caroline McCutchen Professor Alicia Bolton ENG 101 14 October 2013 Should the Internet Be Connected to Real

Life? When arguing about certain topics or controversies, many aspects come into play. The use of logos, ethos, and pathos help make an argument logical, credible, and emotional. Convincing reasons and evidence and establishing a clear argument also come into play. When there is convincing reasoning and evidence behind your argument, the argument becomes more credible. When you establish a clear and convincing argument, it becomes easier to make your point clear to the audience. A good argument has valuable features that help maintain the point you are trying to make. Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? by Alex Weiss and Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted by Malcolm Gladwell are an example of two arguments discussing a controversial issue in todays society, the internet. The essay by Alex Weiss discusses the Dutch Supreme Court ruling against a thirteen year old boy for stealing virtual items while playing a video game called RuneScape. Alex Weiss doesnt support this ruling. While in Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted by Gladwell believes that social media and the internet have changed the way protests are evolving and the strength of the protest itself. Although both arguments are well supported, I believe Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? by Alex Weiss makes the better argument by his convincing reasons, which makes his argument more credible and his effectiveness of establishing a clear and arguable position. I believe Alex Weiss makes the better argument by his strategic use of convincing reasons and evidence. Alex Weiss makes his argument clear and understanding by stating reasoning behind his argument. In Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? Weiss uses his evidence from the

McCutchen 2 gaming world to make his claim. He states how many people do the same thing the young teenager did: I have enjoyed messing with people, making fake investments, engaging in corporation thievery, and even having an extended e-relationship with someone who I thought was a girl (Weiss 729). Weisss use of reasoning and evidence is used in a better, understanding way than in Gladwells, Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted. Gladwell uses flashbacks and other primary sources as his evidence but as he does that, he doesnt make his reasoning convincing. Gladwell uses examples such as the sit-ins in the south. He uses evidence like that to try and prove his point. But he ends up mixing different examples together making the argument confusing at times which doesnt make his essay as credible as Weiss does. Weiss makes a clear and arguable position while developing his argument. A clear and arguable position is important in the development of your argument. You want people to understand your point and why your position is what it is. Weiss makes his position clear. His use of examples and personal experience show his position whereas Gladwells use of personal experiences didnt flow well with the essay. It was hard to keep up with Gladwells position on the argument in Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted. Gladwell goes from one point to another in different scenarios and events which make his position unclear. In Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? Weiss uses background knowledge and other events but he does so in a way that the essay flows together. At the end Weiss clearly states his position, But attempting to bring real world law into virtual realms and putting monetary value on time spent immersed in a virtual world seems dangerous (Weiss 729).Weiss is clearly stating his point and position at the end of his essay but Gladwell doesnt make his position that clear. Gladwell does mention in his essay: The kind of activism associated with social media isnt like this at all. The platforms of social media are built around weak ties (Gladwell 319).Even though he does state this to be his argument, the way he switches from different scenarios doesnt

McCutchen 3 make his argument as clear. He maintains to keep his argument alive but his examples didnt always tie into the main point. Weiss and Gladwell both present very distinctive arguments in different forms. Gladwell uses many prime examples and logic throughout his essay, while Weiss uses his information and personal experience as evidence throughout his. While both essays maintain a valuable argument, Weiss is more persuadable throughout his entire essay. His arguing strategies of convincing reasoning and evidence and making a clear argument are present along with some use of ethos and pathos. Arguments require an amount of information and reasoning to state the point they are trying to get across. Without arguing strategies, it is hard to reach the potential goal of an argument. While Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? by Alex Weiss and Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted by Malcolm Gladwell are two well stated argumentative essays, Weiss makes the clearer and stronger argument in the end. It is hard to determine which argument is better primarily based on what is stated. You have to look beyond the clear reading into the strategies, logic, emotion and credibility that the argument portrays. While reading, ask yourself Is there enough evidence here to support his position? This shows that the use of argumentative strategies, knowledge and logic behind the topic is essential to creating a reasonable and well prepared argument. This is why Alex Weiss makes the better argument in his essay Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing?.

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Works Cited Weiss, Andrew. Should Gamers Be Prosecuted for Virtual Stealing? The Norton Field Guide to Writing and Readings and Handbook. 3rd ed. Ed. Marilyn Moller. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2013. 727-729. Print.

Gladwell, Malcom. Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted They Say I Say with Readings. 2nd ed. Ed. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russel Durst. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2010. 312-328. Print.