Persuasive Text

The Virtual Reality No. of Words: 297

Denisse A. Gabo

Nowadays, social media platforms are the mainstream means of getting along with friends from across the globe.
People from all walks of life are users of the prominent apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat,
Tumblr, and other social media platforms by which one can express his or her thoughts through posting shout outs, blogs,
pictures, memes, or simply hitting the share button to convey equally essential ideas or notions.
Basically, the rock bottom of these platforms is to communicate and share similar interests with other people. We
find joy in sharing our own opinions, stories and remarkable photos and videos in social platforms that may either
provoke a thought, provide amusement, earn a profit, inform the mass, and offer a lot more advances. These platforms are
promising enough to cater and sustain the interest of both worlds, from the digital natives to the digital immigrants.
Moreover, advances in media and technology have drawbacks. These pave ways for trolls and dummy accounts
that maimed a lot of people into the downsides of virtual interaction. Social media users who are not responsible in
practicing their rights to media and information contribute in creating rifts and dispute in the social media. They are
sharing violent and abusive photos or videos, provoking people to become angry, initiating cyberbullying, spreading fake
news and black propagandas, and feeding narcissism.
We often hear the adage that with great power comes great responsibility. This is a universal truth in all cases,
even in our virtual world. We become empowered by the gift of these influential platforms, but we must always be
informed and socially responsible in utilizing these tools. No matter how far technology must lead us, we should never
trade actual interaction for virtual connections.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. What is the passage all about?

a. on social media platforms b. digital natives
c. digital immigrants d. media literacy
2. Which of the following is the negative effect of social media platforms?
a. trolling and reckless sharing b. providing amusement
c. earning a profit online d. sharing discussions and forums
3. Which of the following is a positive effect of social media platforms?
a. feeding narcissism b. sharing violent and abusive posts
c. circulating black propagandas d. blogging and designing apps
4. Digital natives are today’s generation who are born in the digital and information age. Who are the
digital natives?
a. adults b. the oldies c. the millennials d. younger generation
5. What idea does the author want to persuade the readers with?
a. we must always be oriented on the trending updates
b. we must be socially aware and responsible in using social media
c. we must not use social media platforms
d. we must always take advantage of the technological advances
6. What are the central ideas of the passage?
I. breakthrough in technology II. media and technology
III. media literacy IV. Social responsibility
a. I & II b. II & III c. III & IV d. II & IV
7. What is the mood of the passage?
a. enlightening b. informal c. provocative d. misleading

PERFORMANCE TASK

Create a poster (digital or manual) that shows the advantages and disadvantages of social media.