STUDENT EXAMPLE---VERY THOROUGH!
Thesis: Although there are arguments that suggest reality TV is a large influence on all of its viewers' lives, the viewer's
age is truly the deciding factor on whether it is influencing him or if he is influencing it.
I. Reality shows, unscripted shows involving the public or celebrities, are some of the most
watched shows on television right now.
A. A reality show is an unscripted show involving the public or celebrities.
1. A reality TV show is “a television show in which members of the public or
celebrities are filmed living their everyday lives or undertaking specific
challenges.” (“Reality TV”)
B. Reality TV is the most frequently watched genre viewed by mostly teens and adults.
1. In the summer of 2010 fifteen of the twenty highest rated programs were
reality TV shows watched by people between the ages of 18 and 49. (Carter)
2. Among these shows were “America’s Got Talent,” “Big Brother,” “The
Bachelorette,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “American Idol,” “Survivor,”
“Teen Mom,” “The Real Housewives,” and “Jersey Shore.” (Carter)
II. Reality television, television in general, and all other forms of media have the power to
influence all children from babies to preteens.
A. Most kids are easily convinced that everything they read or see is real.
1. My aunt brought my cousin to the Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute a
few year ago and he was disappointed at the lack of real artifacts.
2. Every year there’s a group of kids scattered across America and Great Britain
who wait anxiously for owls that will never come thanks to Harry Potter.
B. Children, especially really young kids, copy everything they see.
1. The eldest of my cousins was only a toddler when she announced to the room
full of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, great grandparent “I make dinner!” then
proceeded to pick up the plastic phone in her little kitchen and say “Hello, Pizza?”
III. Once one hits her teens all the way into early adulthood, it is harder to determine who will
and won’t be persuaded by reality TV.
A. Mature teenagers will be able to look at bad Reality TV and say to themselves, “wow,
something is really wrong here.”
1. Two of my close friends are amazingly smart, beautiful, kind people, the kind
whose schedule is packed with AP classes yet they still find time for
community service or lending a hand on a tricky homework problem, who
can’t resist shows like Survivor and Jersey Shore.
2. “ Mostly reality TV is quality satire.” (Poniewozik 12)
B. Others have a tougher time deciding what is right and wrong and won’t be able to
figure it out without the influence of reality TV until they’re well into their twenties.
1. Amy Chan spent much of her teens into her young adult life following a role
model with bad morals from a TV show only to find she had been doing the
exact opposite of what she should have been. (Chan)
IV. Most things children, teens, and young adults pick up either voluntarily or subconsciously
from reality television shows are bad habits and bundles of trouble.
A. Reality TV encourages bad social habits.
1. “Reality TV is a mimic of what’s happening in real life” and unfortunately
“bullying was around long before.” (Evatt)
2. Reality TV shows have a history of racism to many different races, but quite
prominently African American males. (Darling 41)
B. Bad habits are taught through reality shows.
1. Girls who watch reality TV find looks and boyfriends more important than
girls who don’t. (Girl Scout Research Institute)
2. Kids experiment with drugs, alcohol, vocab, and other actions which they see
on television. (Friedman)
V. Sometimes there are positive things younger generations can learn from reality TV.
A. Important life lessons about living with certain illnesses and what is and isn’t socially
acceptable can be learned through reality TV shows.
1. Reality TV sometimes sparks quality life lesson conversations amongst family
STUDENT EXAMPLE---VERY THOROUGH!
and friends. (Poniewozik 14-15) (Girl Scout Research Institute)
2. Reality TV “[gives] us a sense of how people date, relate to their families, and
deal with sensitive issues.” (Palmer 52)
3. Sometimes Reality TV “[teaches] safe sex by showing a range of attitudes and
their consequences.” (Palmer 53)
4. When a character becomes ill, the viewers see what the illness does to those
who have it since the directors can’t control it. (Palmer 53)
B. Reality TV can even be inspiring at times.
1. “Most of the participants are good humored about their failings, which can
inspire average Americans to pursue their own dreams.” (Poniewozik 12)
2. Overall, girls who watch reality TV are more confident and sociable. (Girl
Scout Research Institute)
3. Shows like The Biggest Loser inspire kids to work out which is important
because of the growing child obesity rate. (Friedman)
VI. Once one hits a certain age in adulthood and he’s learned enough life lessons to tell truth
from the lies in what is displayed as “right” on reality TV.
A. There’s no difference in intelligence or decision making when it comes to adults and
whether or not they watch reality TV.
1. “We assume people who like [dramas] are smarter than those who like [reality
TV].” (Poniewozik 15)
2. “People who say they enjoy intellectual activities are no less likely to watch
reality TV than are those who say they dislike intellectual activities.” (Reiss
and Wiltz 26)
B. By adulthood, one’s likes and dislikes tend to reflect his or her morals instead of
things like reality TV shaping their morals.
1. Some people enjoy drama without having to go through it themselves and
reality tv makes it feel more real than shows like soap operas do.
2. “Viewers compare what they are seeing to their own ethical code.” (Crew 67)
3. Reality TV viewers are more competitive and revenge seeking and desire
status. (Reiss and Wiltz 26)
C. Adults watch reality TV for entertainment whether its instant or the next day at work.
1. Contestants and stars or reality TV shows come from all walks of life giving
their background stories something fictional TV writers can’t quite pull off.
(Poniewozik 16)
2. Sometimes reality show viewers are left with “feeling [like] part of a
communal experience.” (Poniewozik 13)
3. People like the idea that reality TV is “unpredictable” and “unscripted,”
because, well, it’s unpredictable. (Crew 68)
4. “Fans and nonfans score almost equally when tested on their sociability.”
(Reiss and Wiltz 26)
VII. By voting for contestants or starring or playing some role in a reality TV show, adult reality
TV fans are given the opportunity to influence the show and pass down their morals and
beliefs.
A. Positive messages can be transmitted when adults apply their morals to their viewing
and interactions with reality TV.
1. People who send in votes for reality TV shows tend to vote for the people who
seem the nicest. (McDonell)
2. The viewers don’t vote for people who “over do it” or people who appear
mean or admit to bullying, past or present. (McDonell)
B. The actors and actresses themselves know millions are watching and should try to be
better role models.
1. The way actors act on reality shows isn’t “exactly exemplifying how adults
should conduct themselves.” (Evatt)