Effects of watching television draft 2~

Television has become a necessity for people nowadays. It is estimated that more than ninety per cent of households in developed countries have at least one television set (Modern Child Development 1999). Based on the American Time Use Survey (2003), the US population spends most of their time watching television rather than participating in sports, socializing, playing games or computer and other leisure activities. The ability to portray actions, educational ideas, latest information and a lot more has become the main factor why television is so hard to resist. However, this particular habit of watching too much television provides its own consequences.

Firstly, watching television continuously is believed to affect the development of children thinking process. Children are likely to form ideas of life and behaviour as portrayed by the programs they watch (Sharif 1999). There have been cases where children imitate the stunt that their idol made inside the television and injured themselves. Plus, it can lead to the development of poor behaviour when children follow their favourite actor unpleasant attitude after watching a particular movie. Moreover, the experts on child development criticize television programs that allowed violence to be premiered. Research has shown that children who watch violent programs continually become desentised to violence (Sharif 1999). Indirectly, the children may think that violence is common in life and is a main option to solving problems.

Other than that, watching television continuously may risk people to serious health problems. It takes very little effort to press the button and turn the television off, yet for some it means gathering every ounce of will power to do so (Rutherford 2002). This has lead to more people to switch channel and search for something interesting to watch rather than doing their house chores and exercise. In addition, some families are used to watching television and having their meals at the same time. According to Rutherford (2002), it is a sedentary activity and, when indulged in with snacks, can cause obesity and related diseases. Prolonged period in front of the television mean that the children are not being physically active (Sharif 1999).

Too much of television are also proven to stunt the academic growth of students. From the time television was invented it has fascinated its audience both young and old (Leigh 2001). According to Leigh (2001) again, Dr Geraldine Jones, an educational psychologist, is convinced that children who are heavy viewers are among the lowest achievers at school. She describe that watching television is a passive activity, these children do not develop skills which are crucial in creating problem solving and organisational ability. Referring to Leigh (2001), Dr Thomas Alexander mentioned that television programs are designed to demand undivided attention. Thus, we can say that when television is on, it is very difficult for student especially to concentrate on homework.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that the disadvantage of watching television surpass its benefits. Health, academic performance, and the children’s way of thinking can be extremely affected by only continuous watching of television. Television may provide unlimited information but without limit, there is a “high price” to bear.

The effects of television viewing draft 1

Television has become a necessity for people nowadays. It is estimated that more than ninety per cent of households in developed countries have at least one television set (Modern Child Development 1999). Based on the American Time Use Survey (2003), the US population spends most of their time watching television rather than participating in sports, socializing, playing games or computer and other leisure activities. The ability to portray actions, educational ideas, latest information and a lot more has become the main factor why television is so hard to resist. However, this particular habit of watching too much television provides its own consequences.

Firstly, watching television continuously is believe to affect the development of children thinking process. Children are likely to form ideas of life and behaviour as portrayed by the programs they watch (Sharif 1999). There have been cases where children imitate the stunt that their idol made inside the television and injured themselves. Plus, it can lead to the development of poor behaviour when children follow their favourite actor unpleasant attitude after watching a particular movie. Moreover, the experts on child development criticize television programs that allowed violence to be premiered. Research has shown that children who watch violent programs continually become desentised to violence (Sharif 1999). Indirectly, the children may think that violence is common in life and is a main option to solving problems.

Other than that, watching television continuously may risk people to several fatal diseases. It takes very little effort to press the button and turn the television off, yet for some it means gathering every ounce of will power to do so (Rutherford 2002). This has lead to more people to switch channel and search for something interesting to watch rather than doing their homework and exercise. In addition, some families are used to watching television and having their meals at the same time. According to Rutherford (2002), it is a sedentary activity and, when indulged in with snacks, can cause obesity and related diseases. Prolonged period in front of the television mean that the children are not being physically active (Sharif 1999).

Too much of television are also proven to stunt the academic growth of students. From the time television was invented it has fascinated its audience both young and old (Leigh 2001). According to Leigh (2001) again, Dr Geraldine Jones, an educational psychologist, is convinced that children who are heavy viewers are among the lowest achievers at school. She describe that watching television is a passive activity, these children do not develop skills which are crucial in creating problem solving and organisational ability. Referring to Leigh (2001), Dr Thomas Alexander mentioned that television programs are designed to demand undivided attention. When television is on, it is very difficult for student especially to concentrate on homework.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that the disadvantage of watching television surpass its benefits. Health, academic performance, and the children’s way of thinking can be extremely affected by only continuous watching of television. Television may provide unlimited information but without limit, there is “high price” to bear.

Junk food argumentative final~

The public has recently become more aware of the negative consequences that junk foods bring. Eventually, this issue has been debated whether junk food should or should not be banned at schools. The term ‘junk food’ refers to food that contains low nutritional value includes takeaway foods, pre-packaged meals and sugary snack foods (Tran 2005). The nutritional value of food eaten by Australian children has been dropping continuously over the past 3 decades (Weekend News 2005). I strongly believe that junk food should be banned in school for several reasons.

Junk food can be said unhealthy or of low in nutritional content. Most junk food is made by adding chemical additives to improve their flavor and colour. Other than that, the additives also function to increase its vitality. However, these substances have been proven to cause behavioral problems in children such as hyperactivity. They are also said to have caused various diseases to children. Products such as instant noodles, potato chips and chocolate bars raise the kilojoule intake and lead to weight gain (Weekend News 2005). Moreover, Dental Association in Australia found it necessary for the youth to be conscious about this matter. They have urged the government to ban the selling of soft drink due to the drop in the dental health of school children. Soft drinks, hamburgers and chips are some of the most popular snack foods and are low in nutritional value (Health Foundation 2005).

Junk food packaging is also a major problem towards society. Litter is a safety and health hazard, increasing cleaning cost, and is bad for the image of our communities (Family Journal 2005). School teachers also reported that there was a major difference on the litter aspect when they banned the selling of junk foods at their school. The school workers do not have to spend so much time cleaning and has more time for other maintenance plans that benefit the school. In this way, the school can spend the money to other profiting sector rather than focusing too much on hygiene.

There were reports saying that junk food had cause problems toward the student’s academic performance. According to the The Food Show (2005), Poor eating habits of children can induce unhealthy growth and reduce their learning potential. Students are noticed to be calmer after lunch when not consuming junk food. They are more prepared to continue learning compared to when junk foods were available. Teachers noted significant improvement in students’ behaviour in class when junk food and soft drinks are removed from the school canteen. (The Food Show 2005). This clearly shows banning junk foods can create a more appropriate environment for learning.

As the conclusion, I strongly believe that the banning of junk foods is best for everyone. It releases our children from the risk of having bad academic performance and most importantly it avoids them from getting various diseases. School is a place for students to acquire knowledge. If junk food is to be sold there, student will have wrong assumptions that the teacher have no problem having them consuming junk food continuously. Selling junk foods at school gives young people the idea that they can eat junk food whenever they like without any consequences (Weekend News 2005). Plus, based on the reasons above, junk foods clearly bring more negative impact either it is directly or indirectly towards people. The world can be a better place just by this small step. Stop consuming junk foods.

Argumentative essay 2nd draft.. I'm terribly sorry for the delay..

The public has recently become more aware of the negative consequences that junk foods bring. Parents fear had force this issue to be debated whether junk food should or should not be banned at schools. The term ‘junk food’ refers to food that contains low nutritional value includes takeaway foods, pre-packaged meals and sugary snack foods (Tran 2005). The nutritional value of food eaten by Australian children has been dropping continuously over the past 3 decades (Weekend News 2005). I strongly stressed that junk food should be banned in school for several reasons.

Junk food can be said unhealthy or of low in nutritional content. Most junk food is made by adding chemical additives to improve their flavor and colour. Other than that, the additives also function to increase its vitality. However, these substances have been proven to cause behavioral problems in children such as hyperactivity. They are also said to have caused various diseases to children. Products such as instant noodles, potato chips and chocolate bars raise the kilojoule intake and lead to weight gain (Weekend News 2005).

Junk food packaging is also a major problem towards society. Litter is a safety and health hazard, increasing cleaning cost, and is bad for the image of our communities (Family Journal 2005). School teachers also reported that there was a major difference on the litter aspect when they banned the selling of junk foods at their school. The school workers do not have to spend so much time cleaning and has more time for other maintenance plans that benefit the school. In this way, the school can spend the money to other profiting sector rather than focusing too much on hygiene.

There are also reports saying that junk food had cause problems toward the student’s academic performance. According to the The Food Show (2005), Poor eating habits of children can induce unhealthy growth and reduce their learning potential. Students are noticed to be calmer after lunch when not consuming junk food. They are more prepared to continue learning compared to when junk foods were available. Teachers noted significant improvement in students’ behaviour in class when junk food and soft drinks are removed from the school canteen. (The Food Show 2005). This clearly shows banning junk foods can create a more appropriate environment for learning.

As the conclusion, I strongly believe that the banning of junk foods is best for everyone. It releases our children from the risk of having bad academic performance and most importantly it avoids them from getting various diseases. Plus, based on the reasons above, junk foods clearly bring more negative impact either it is directly or indirectly towards people. The world can be a better place just by this small step. Stop consuming junk foods.

Glance on what is happening in the real world~

Three dead after fire-bomb hits bank during Greek riots

A FIRE-BOMB attack on a bank in Athens left at least three people dead as police fought pitched battles with striking protesters furious at brutal spending cuts designed to avoid national bankruptcy.

Hooded youths hurled petrol bombs at stores and businesses in the Greek capital, setting the bank and two government buildings ablaze.

Protesters also tried to storm the Greek Parliament and the rioting spread to Greece's second city, Thessaloniki.

Police said at least three people, a man and two women, were killed in the fire-bomb attack. Firefighters said as many as 20 people had been inside the bank.

It was unclear if the dead were customers or bank employees.

Two buildings, one used by tax officials and another by regional authorities, also caught fire.

Greek President Carolos Papoulias condemned the violence, saying the debt-hit country had "reached the edge of the abyss".

"Our country has reached the edge of the abyss. It is the responsibility of us all to not take the step into the void.

"What is at stake in coming days is to keep social cohesion and social peace."

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said the firebombing was a "raw murderous act".

Athens underground stations were shuttered and the international airport deserted as tens of thousands of union members rallied on the eve of a vote in parliament on the planned cuts and tax hikes.

The general strike was the first major test of the Socialist government's resolve to push through unprecedented measures since agreeing a €110 billion ($158 billion) EU and IMF debt bailout over the weekend.

Prime Minister George Papandreou's insistence that the measures are vital for the nation's survival failed to dissuade unions from paralysing public transport, grounding air traffic and preventing ferries from leaving docks.

After rallying in two separate demonstrations in central Athens, members of the main unions began converging on parliament, where the Government was preparing for the measures to be voted on Thursday.

Baton charges

"They're taking everything from me, I don't know how I'm going to get by," said 61-year-old Anargyros Bizianis, a municipal worker in the Athens suburb of Piraeus who earns €900 a month.

As the protesters tried to break through a police line in front of the Parliament, they first hurled stones and bottles of water, prompting the riot squad officers to fire back with tear gas.

Full-scale clashes then erupted outside the building, with riot police trying to disperse the crowds with baton charges.

During the unrest, one protester threw a petrol bomb near the Parliament.

Youths also went on the rampage in other parts of the capital, with several dozen youths hurling petrol bombs at stores and banks, smashing shop windows and trashing bus shelters with iron bars.

The protesters in Thessaloniki targeted stores and banks in the city center before they were dispersed by the anti-riot police.

Hundreds of thousands of civil servants kicked off the protests and a group of about 200 communists also stormed Athens Acropolis, unfurling banners reading "Peoples of Europe, Rise Up".

A government official downplayed the walkout, saying that "for years there's been strikes and protests in this country without much consequence. We're used to it."

"Given the scale of the public opposition to the austerity measures, it is still unclear whether Greece will ultimately be willing to take years of fiscal punishment and recession to get its fiscal house in order," economist Ben May at Capital Economics said.

"Accordingly, it is still unwise to rule out the Government eventually defaulting or restructuring its debts."

After months of hesitation, eurozone countries and the IMF agreed to lend Greece billions at below market rates after concerns that the Athens government's debt crisis could trigger a knock-on effect elsewhere.

Fighting accusations of holding up the bailout, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today that the Greek crisis marked a turning point for the European Union, urging an overhaul of its fiscal rules.

"The future of Europe and the future of Germany within Europe is at stake," she told a parliament in a debate on Berlin's unpopular decision to lend €22.4 billion in taxpayers' money to Greece.