Getting Started:
Your Name: Erin Marie Padfield
Speech Title (optional): The Joy Of Video Games
General Purpose: To show that videos games are not only fun, but can be good for you
Specific Purpose: To show the way in which video games can be beneficial
Thesis Statement or Central Idea: Even though video games have gotten a bad rap in the last few years there are several benefits which have been ignored by those who oppose them.
Introduction:
Attention-Getting Device: How many people here have ever played a video game?
Statement of Thesis or Purpose: To show that video games do have some benefit
Establish Speaker - Audience - Topic Connection: Almost everyone here has played a video game of some kind in their life, but did you know playing video games could help your problem solving, pattern recognition, and patience? (Seattle Times, Jerry Large, August 2005)
Preview of the Speech/Orient the Audience: Today I am going to show you why you, your mom, your dad, your grandparents, your long lost cousin who you haven't seen in 15 years and never talk to, and your kids should all play video games.
Body:
I. People think video games are harmful, and have no benefit whatsoever
A. According to a poll conducted in August 2008, parents are more concerned about some video games then their kids drinking beer or watching a porno (ITWire, August 2008, Davey Winder)
B. Many feel that playing video games directly leads to childhood obesity
C. There is some limited evidence that violent video games can cause aggression
1. The effect isn't limited to video games, cartoons, movies, and TV shows that display mock violence are also shown to lead to aggressive behavior in children (Daily Mall, 2009, Laura Clark)
2. Video games might actually reduce real world violence. According to Patrick Kierkegaard, the sales of violent video games have sky rocketed over recent years, and if violent video games really did lead to real world violence then the world should be plagued by murder, assault, and other violent crimes. Instead violence as actually reduced as video game sales have gone up. (Science Daily, May 2008)
II. More people should play video games
D. It's been shown that a child’s fluid intelligence increases as they play video games, and is part of the reason IQ scores are rising higher than ever in the U.S. (ABC News, June 2005)
B. In a study by James Gee, University of Wisconsin, it was shown that even a basic game like Tetris can boost brain power because they involve the core basics of learning (Discover Magazine, July 2005, Steven Johnson)
2. Unlike with TV or books, video games gradually increases in difficulty and will not allow a player to move on until they have mastered that level. (Discover Magazine, July 2005, Steven Johnson)
3. Video games mirror the way we perceive the world, and we are able to look around a virtual world the same way we can look around the real one and pick up clues about how to solve a puzzle. (Discover Magazine, July 2005, Steven Johnson)
C. The Wii Fit has been shown to help the disabled and elderly rehab
1. In an Irish hospital the Wii is replacing old therapy equipment that is "80 times more expensive, less versatile, less adaptable, less robust and "frankly less interesting for the patient to use"". (The Mirror, May 2008, Matt Blake)
2. The Wii has proven to speed up rehabilitation of patients of have had stroke and head injuries. The mat that is used for the Wii fit can sense which side is the player’s weaker side and encourages the player to work on that side. (AP, September 2008, Brandy Nance)
III. How to play more video games
A. You can buy an Xbox 360 or Wii for under $300 dollars
A. You can go to an arcade. Yes, they do still exist, in fact we have one in the student union right down the hall. So if your ever board between classes you now know where you can go and have some good, clean, educational fun.
Conclusion:
Summary: Today I told you about video games by telling you about video games, the myths that surround them, and how they really can be beneficial.
Motivation or Desired Action from the Audience: Go out and play video games, even the insanely violent ones, because they are good for you and they might actually make it less likely that you will kill me in real life, and I would really like to not die if at all possible.
Closure Device: Now those of you that do play video games, you have some defense the next time a family member, teacher, or your parents rag on you about playing video games, they are making you smarter.
