1. What is Leo's claim? Restate it in your own words.

John Leo’s claim in his article “When Life Imitates Video” can be seen in his first paragraph. H e tries to let the audience see the disadvantages of modern video kill games. How these kill video games affect youngsters and how the actions they view in these games make them become cold blood murderers. He uses the example of the Littleton massacre to put more light to his claim. These actions can only be due to the use of constant playing of violent video games.

1. What reasons does Leo use to support and explain his claim? Formulate reasons as statements that logically support or explain his claim.

John Leo formulates his reason for this statement as he uses two examples where the behaviors of these youngsters has led to the deaths of many. He gives an example of the Colorado massacre where Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris used pistol- grip shotguns. He describes that the killings were same with that on violent video games where you see pools of blood, screams of agony and pleas for mercy. Also, Leo cites instances to support his claim when he says, “Head shots pay a bonus in many video games” (Leo 72). He explains that the Littleton killers used this strategy in their massacre. Which was just like their training with violent games.

1. What kind of information does Leo use as evidence to back up the reasons?

Leo uses some evidence based on surveys which he says it was “widely cited” (Leo 72) in which more than half the fourth to eight grade students said their games had some violence in it. Though their evidence doesn’t have much information to back up the claim. Also, the newspaper Los Angeles Times gives some of the evidence used in the essay. The papers compared the shootings to that in video games. Furthermore, Leo uses the experiences of the Psychologist David Grossman of Arkansas who uses his military experiences and training to link them to these violent games. Leo constantly cites him through this essay to back his claim and use of pathos in his writing

1. What arguments against his position does Leo identify? How does he refute them?

Leo identifies two arguments against his position. Firstly, he says that there are no connections murderous games and the murder acts. That the responsibility for protecting children from these dangerous games should be their parents. However, the parents instead tend to blame entertainment industries for the consequences of these games. He refutes this when he condemns the entertainment company for creating games which are based on killing millions of youngsters and how the games are addictive to youths who are the most vulnerable. Also, Leo states that it is a harmless activity for children who can differentiate between fantasy and reality. He refutes this by saying that many of the youngsters are unstable, rejected, and left alone with no parental guidance. Thus, they use these games to pour out their anger.

1. Point out an example of logos used in the article. Where does Leo rely on logical reasoning/ rational thinking?

Leo relies on logical/ rational thinking when he uses evidence on survey, but there is no accurate information of the survey, no dates etc. without much information about the survey to convince his readers, one can say there is not enough evidence to support the survey mentioned. Also, another example of logos Leo saying that most youngsters are unstable and cant differentiate between fantasy and reality. There is no proof to show that these kids can not differentiate these games from real life actions.

1. Point out an example of pathos used in the article. Where does Leo appeal to the readers' emotions? What emotions does he appeal to?

An example of pathos can be seen in the last paragraph of his essay. Leo appeals to the readers emotions by quoting the words of the psychologist Grossman who says we need to worry about the things we input into the minds of young people. He states, “pilot train on flight simulators, drivers on driving simulators, and now we have our children on murder simulators” (Leo 73). This shows the dangers of these games on youngsters. Leo even emphasizes on this appeal by concluding that “If we want to avoid more Littleton- style massacres, we will begin taking the social effects of the killing games more seriously” (Leo 73). This means we should try to look at the social consequences of these games.

1. Do you consider John Leo a credible arguer (strong ethos) or not (weak ethos) and why?

I consider John Leo a not credible arguer. This is because in as much as he has a good claim and uses some few good examples to back up his idea of the negative impact of violent video games on youngsters to the society, he however lacks sources to support some of his information. Example the survey, and in the difference between fantasy and reality in kids. He needs more information to support these points. Though he gives good details of the psychologist Grossman, these points are outweighed by lack of information from other points.