| Describe your overall ability to pay attention when it comes to school work (<100 words) On a scale of 1 – 10, indicate how addicted you are to you phones 9/10 When it comes to paying attention to schoolwork, I get distracted very easily and I catch myself going on my phone almost every question that I answer while doing schoolwork. |
| While reading “My Distraction Sickness” please note how long it takes you to get through the piece (Google says it’s a 45 min read); also, count the number of times you get distracted (for whatever reason) and tally them at the end. I got distracted 13 times while reading the piece. |
| Describe the tone of all three articles, how do they differ? (<100 words) In Andrew Sullivan’s “My Distraction Sickness”, the writing is written in a reflective and personal tone, where he instances moments of his personal struggles. In Sam Anderson’s “In Defense of Distraction”, the tone is much more relaxed and playful. In Larry D. Rosen’s “The Distracted Student Mind”, the tone is more serious and is in a analytical tone. |
| What are Sam Anderson’s primary arguments in defense of distraction? (see part III of In Defense of Distraction) Do you find them convincing? Why or why not (<150 words) Sam’s primary arguments in defense of distraction is that he argues that distraction isn’t something to look at negatively, rather something that can be used for creative thoughts and new ideas. I do find them convincing because there were instances where I was having trouble finding new ways of doing an art project in high school and when I went on my phone, I saw a post that was related to the work that I was assigned, and I was inspired by the artist of the post. |
| After reading all three articles, what are your thoughts on this “epidemic of distraction”? (<50 words) I think that for some people, it can be used as a tool for generating new thoughts and ideas but for most people, it is just a distraction for them, and I think people should try to not get distracted as much. |
Please annotate “My Distraction Sickness” – highlight at least three instances for each of the following rhetoric concepts:
Invention:
Sullivan starts by comparing his struggle with distractions to being sick, which is a big idea he talks about a lot in the essay, showing how technology messes with our ability to focus.
He talks about “digital priests” who control our attention through social media, painting a clear picture of how technology influences our lives.
Sullivan compares his attention to a muscle that gets weaker from lack of use, giving readers a clear picture of how distractions mess with his mind.
Style:
Throughout the essay, Sullivan shares personal stories and thoughts, making the topic of distraction feel more relatable and human.
He asks questions like “What if I need to check my email during the meeting?” to get readers thinking about their own habits.
Sullivan uses descriptive words, like describing screens as “doors to endless distraction,” to paint a clear picture of how overwhelming technology can be.
Memory:
Sullivan remembers his childhood, making readers nostalgic for simpler times before technology took over.
He thinks back on times when he could focus better, showing how different things are now with all the distractions.
By mentioning famous people like Plato and Seneca, Sullivan adds credibility to his argument about how distractions have always been a problem.
Pathos:
Sullivan shares his feelings of anxiety and frustration, helping readers understand his struggles to focus with all the distractions around.
He talks about missing the old days when people didn’t have so many things
Sullivan’s description of being “desperately addicted” to distraction makes readers feel sorry for him and realize how serious the problem is.
Ethos:
By sharing his personal experiences and struggles, Sullivan proves he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to distraction.
He talks about being a writer and thinker to show readers he’s someone they can trust on this topic. Sullivan connects with readers worries about how technology is changing society, showing he understands their desire for deeper connections and more meaningful experiences.