Debate

Should Alicia
Give Up Fortnite?
Jeremy thinks Alicia should stop playing. Alicia disagrees.
Who makes the better argument?

YES

Fortnite is turning you into a zombie!

Dear Alicia,
I’m really worried about you. At school today, you looked SO exhausted. You even fell asleep
at your desk. I think I know why: You’ve been staying up playing Fortnite. I hope that after
reading my letter, you’ll consider giving it up.
First of all, the game is addictive. Research shows that multiplayer online video games like
Fortnite and World of Warcraft are more likely to be played excessively than other games. Every
time you lose, you think: Just one more game. And before you know it, it’s 4 a.m., your eyes are
bloodshot, your hands are cramping, and you’re still foraging in Fatal Fields or

cheapbooks/Shutterstock.com (boy); mangostock/Shutterstock.com (girl); YES/NO Kids: John Corbitt.

scheming in Dusty Divot.
But staying up all night isn’t good for you. Kids our age need about
nine hours of sleep to stay healthy and do well in school. It’s not
surprising that since Fortnite became popular, some teachers have been
complaining that more students are showing up to school tired and groggy. I know Fortnite
is fun, but is it worth compromising your health and your grades?
And what about your friendships? Last Saturday when I came over to hang out, you spent
the whole time playing Fortnite. You didn’t even talk to me. Not cool.
You know what else isn’t cool? Violence. I know the violence in Fortnite isn’t graphic—that
there’s no blood or guts—but the whole point of the game is to kill people. Why do millions of
people find that entertaining? I mean, you can even do a dance after you kill someone. You’re
not an insensitive person, Alicia, and I am not saying that Fortnite could make you cruel or
violent, but consider this: During a time when we are surrounded by so much violence in the
real world, do we really want our entertainment to be filled with violence too?
Even if you decide to keep playing, I hope that you’ll reflect on what I’ve written and
consider at least cutting back. Please know this is all because I care about you!
Your friend,

Jeremy

26 SCHOLASTIC SCOPE • SEPTEMBER 2018

 NO
There’s nothing wrong with Fortnite.
Dear Jeremy,
You’re my friend and I value your advice. However, you don’t play Fortnite all
that much, so you don’t know how beneficial it can be.
But before I get into that, I want to say that you’re right: Fortnite isn’t graphic.
There is no gore at all. In fact, one reason I love playing is that the game is
beautiful. The colors are bright and vibrant, not dark and scary.
It’s true that killing is involved though. Yet many studies show that there is no
link between playing violent video games and violent behavior. Besides, some of our
favorite books and shows are far more violent than Fortnite—like the Hunger Games
series and The 100 and Stranger Things.
Yes, I’ll admit that Fortnite can be addictive, but not any more addictive than
smartphones and social media. How many of our friends stay up late texting or
snapchatting or on Instagram? It’s not fair to single out Fortnite.
Besides, the benefits of Fortnite far outweigh the drawbacks. One benefit is that playing the
game can help you develop valuable skills. Several studies have shown that video games improve
concentration, memory, and hand-eye coordination. Fortnite also teaches teamwork. When I play
with friends, we have to coordinate locations, search for supplies, and build structures to help
each other survive. This requires communication, strategy, and creativity.
Plus, Fortnite brings people together. About 45 million people all
over the world play the game. A few months ago I played
with a kid from Finland, and we still keep in touch.
Haven’t you noticed that our classmates have started to
branch out socially? Through Fortnite, I’ve made friends
with kids at school I’d never really talked to before.
But even if Fortnite didn’t improve certain skills
or help me make friends, I’d
still play. Why? It’s fun. And
that’s the point of a game, right? Scavenger Hunt
Epic Games (Fortnite characters)

Your friend,
Directions: Hunt through each letter for the

Alicia following elements.

1. Underline the central idea, or central claim.
P.S. I am sorry for playing 2. S tar two pieces of supporting evidence.
Fortnite when you were over. YOU decide: Who made the stronger argument?
I agree—not cool.

SCOPE.SCHOLASTIC.COM • SEPTEMBER 2018 27