Introduction
Technology has initiated several changes in the livelihoods of contemporary generations. Among the most affected by technological advancements are youth and children because they have brains that can easily understand the dynamic components of technology. In this view, rhetorical analysis of the article, “Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain Research Tells Us,” argues that technological advancements drive human development in the modern society because they enhance acquisition of knowledge.
The Purpose and the Intended Audience
From the article, it is evident that the author majors in technology and its influence on the modern world. The assertions of Herther, which explain the use of technology by children and the classification of individuals into clusters such as digital natives, digital explorers, and digital addicts, substantiate the motivation of the author in writing the article (419).
The target audience in the article comprises adults, youth, and children living in the present world, who are dynamic and technology-oriented. Moreover, the author uses the article to explain the benefits and effects of technology in the present generations. In the article, it is clear that the author provides insights into the wise use of technology in a manner that leads to productive and positive results.
The Author and the Argument’s Main Claim
The author, Nancy Herther, is a qualified librarian, who works at Minnesota University. Her major fields of specialization include sociology, anthropology, and studies that focus on regions such as Asia and America. Moreover, the author has experience on aspects pertaining to journal production and writing skills, and thus her ability to produce informative articles like “Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain Research Tells Us.”
The argument’s main claim presented in the article is the influence that technology has on the present generations. Herther elucidates that several major users of technology encompassing youth and children are individuals introduced to technology at a certain age in their lifetimes (421). According to the article, technology speedily changes the lives of several youth and children of the contemporary world.
Use of Ethos, Logos, Pathos and the Emphasized Terms and Definitions
The use of ethos, logos, and pathos in the article is evident in the manner that the author presents the argument. The author uses creative and convincing skills to persuade the audience, which includes youth, adults, and children on the influence of technology. From the argument, the author employs the concepts to inform the audience on the effectiveness of the article on aspects that relate to technology and its role in contemporary generations.
Some of the terms emphasized and definitions used in the article are technology, generations, and the brain. These terms, technology, generation, and the brain play an integral role in the argument presented by the author, and thus, their extensive use and definition. For instance, the author asserts that a growing brain is “a new market place for products and services designed to help us all improve and maintain brain functions” (Herther 423). Therefore, the assertion substantiates the importance of the terms in the article.
The Main Point Discussed and the Counter Argument
The main point discussed in the article is the role of technology in the modern world. Essentially, the article is practical in highlighting the role that technology plays in the modern world in shaping human development. Several scholars have advanced the argument that technology is not useful, especially in schools and learning institutions, and thus counter the argument presented by Herther concerning technology and its influence on the contemporary generation.
To refute the counter-argument, Herther explains that technology plays an important part in present activities because digital addicts cannot be effective in the absence of technology (420). Moreover, the author refutes the arguments by explaining that technology can yield positive results if its application is under regulations and used wisely.
Type of Evidence and Organization Techniques
The author uses evidence from past studies and research, which comprise secondary sources. For instance, Herther employs the explanations of authors like John Medina and Gary Marcus to advance the impact of technology on youth and children (422). Imperatively, the sources employed by the article are valid and credible as they relate to passing studies that reflect the factual state of affairs.
The organization techniques employed by the author facilitate the easy and smooth flow of information. As a result, the audience understands the message that the article conveys easily and quickly. It is clear that the technique used in the article aims to increase the understanding of the target audience, especially on aspects relating to technology and its role in the modern world.
Bias
The author demonstrates some form of bias towards the benefits of technology and its influence on the present generation. According to Herther, technology has pronounced effects on youth and children since they are the major consumers of technology and its products (419).
The argument demonstrates some kind of bias that defines youth and children as the major consumers and victims of technology. Moreover, the argument dwells on the influence that technology has on the contemporary generation and provides little information concerning past and future generations.
Conclusion
Technology has transformed the world by initiating numerous changes. Presently, native people in various parts of the world use technology in a number of ways. The leading consumers of technology are children, who use technology for their studies and fun. Hence, the article is instrumental in elaborating the influence of technology in the present world and the young minds of youth and children.
Works Cited
Herther, Nancy. “Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain Research Tells Us.”
Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. Eds. John Ramage, John Bean, and June Johnson. Longman Publisher: London, 2010. 419-425. Print.