Question

plugged in, but tuned out: the evil influence of ear buds
darrell thomas
i. invasion of the body snatchers:
have you noticed a change in the world around you recently? have you seen how more and more people are walking around with little rectangles in their hands or pockets with long wires plugged straight into their ears? at the grocery store yesterday, i counted at least twenty people completely lost in the music provided by their ever - present cell phones. its as if the old science - fiction movie invasion of the body snatchers was coming true; we are being overtaken by pod people. so at the risk of appearing to be a crotchety old man complaining about the \good ole days,\ i have to make a stance against the evil influences of the cell phone and ear - bud phenomena on our society.
ii. a rational and well - thought out fear:
now, i am not a luddite; i have no desire to go around smashing up every cell phone or technological gadget in sight. i enjoy and benefit from technological advances just like everyone else. i have a microwave, a television, a lap - top computer, and a gas stove, and i use them all practically every day. i am not accusing people listening to music on their cell phones of having detrimental effects upon our society because i hate music either. i profoundly do not hate music—but i do, ridiculous as it sounds, hate when cell phones are used to block out the real world.
iii. the dangers and distractions of ear buds:
people who have ear buds in their ears simply cannot hear danger approaching. all they hear is the pretend soundtrack of their lives. people walking with ear buds in cannot hear a dog dashing up behind them nor can they hear the footsteps of a thief or murderer sneaking up behind him or her either. people who drive their cars with ear buds plugged in their ears (an act that is considered a traffic violation in many states) cannot hear a child screaming or a horn blowing in warning. cell phones are known to be a factor in many car
determine which of the statements are claims from the passage and which are counterclaims.
claims
counter - claims
cell phones prevent walker or runners from hearing danger approaching.
cell phones are a constant distraction in the academic classroom.
cell phones can even improve retention with music as a memory aid.
cell phones can be useful in classes that require significant amounts of silent work: art or creative writing classes, for example.
cell phones create anti - social behavior preventing the development of the art of conversation.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the passage's stance (against negative impacts of cell phones/ear buds) and identify claims (supporting the author's stance) vs counter - claims (opposing or giving positive uses of cell phones).

Step 1: Analyze each statement

• "Cell phones prevent walker or runners from hearing danger approaching." The passage (section III) says people with ear buds (using cell phones for music) can't hear danger. This supports the author's claim about dangers, so it's a claim.
• "Cell phones are a constant distraction in the academic classroom." The author's stance is against negative influences, and this is a negative impact in classrooms, so it's a claim.
• "Cell phones can even improve retention with music as a memory aid." This is a positive aspect of cell phones, opposing the author's negative stance, so it's a counter - claim.
• "Cell phones can be useful in classes that require significant amounts of silent work: art or creative writing classes, for example." This gives a positive use of cell phones in class, opposing the author's view on negative influences, so it's a counter - claim.
• "Cell phones create anti - social behavior preventing the development of the art of conversation." This is a negative impact (anti - social) supporting the author's stance, so it's a claim.
• "Cell phones can be useful in classes that require significant amounts of silent work: art or creative writing classes, for example." As above, it's a counter - claim.

Claims (support author's negative stance on cell phones/ear buds):

• Cell phones prevent walker or runners from hearing danger approaching.
• Cell phones are a constant distraction in the academic classroom.
• Cell phones create anti - social behavior preventing the development of the art of conversation.

Counter - claims (give positive uses/oppose the author's negative stance):

• Cell phones can even improve retention with music as a memory aid.
• Cell phones can be useful in classes that require significant amounts of silent work: art or creative writing classes, for example.

Answer:

Claims:

• Cell phones prevent walker or runners from hearing danger approaching.
• Cell phones are a constant distraction in the academic classroom.
• Cell phones create anti - social behavior preventing the development of the art of conversation.

Counter - claims:

• Cell phones can even improve retention with music as a memory aid.
• Cell phones can be useful in classes that require significant amounts of silent work: art or creative writing classes, for example.