OUTLINE

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
VIDEO GAMES DO NOT LEAD TO VIOLENT YOUTH
Introductory paragraph:
i) Introduction to video games, their popularity and recent
impact.
ii) Thesis statement: Although it may seem that video games
are the root of youth violence, they are not. I believe that
video games dont lead to violent youth.
Paragraph 1:
I)

II)

Con 1: Increased reports of bullying partly due to

excessive violent video games. (Kutner & Olsen, 2008)
Refutation:
o Weak stance by the researchers showing the relationship
between bullying and video games.
o Bullying mostly has no connection to video games.
Bullying is usually due to familial violence, insecurity and
lack of confidence or even the fear of getting bullied.
o Ferguson and colleagues (Ferguson, 2011; Ferguson,
Miguel, & Hartly, 2009) have found only weak
relationships between level of violence in videogames
and bullying perpetration.
o No connection between video game maturity level and
bullying perpetration (Ferguson, Olson, Kutner, & Warner,
2010; Olson et al., 2009)

Pro 1: No proof of links between violent video games and

violent behavior. (Williams & Skoric, 2005)
III) Pro 2: Any link between video games and violent
behavior is mostly due to other factors such familial
brutality, abuse or simply an aggressive nature. (Pinker,
2002)
IV) Pro 3: Juvenile crime rate has fallen as violent video
games have risen in popularity. (FBI, 2009)

Syed Mohammad Meesam Raza, 2118081

OUTLINE
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Paragraph 2:
I)

Con 1: Playing violent video games escalates aggression

and arousal (Barlett, Branch, Rodeheffer & Harris, 2009).
Refutation:
o The argument is baseless as momentary increase of
aggressive thoughts and arousal will not make a child go
out and commit a violent act.

II)

Pro 1: Violent video games cause more aggression and

arousal because the other comparative game is less
thrilling. (Boyle & Hibberd,2005)
III) Pro 2: Playing violent video games is a safe substitute for
rough and violent activities. (Olson, Kutner & Warner,
2008)
IV) Pro 3: Youth can channel their aggression and anger
through video games. Studies say most boys play video
games to let their anger out or relax. (Olson et. al, 2007)
V) Pro 4: There were 2,279 murders by youth in America as
compared to 73 in Japan in 2005. However, the video
game sales per capita in Japan was $47 compared to
$5.20 in America, showing no connection between video
games and violence. (CESA, 2008) (FBI, 2006) (Japan
Ministry of Justice, 2006)

Syed Mohammad Meesam Raza, 2118081