Running head: ARGUMENT ESSAY, VIDEO GAME’S POSITIVE EFFECTS
Argument Essay
Video game’s positive effects
Dung Ngoc Trinh
Keuka College
ENG 201 Section 01
04/02/15
Ms. Letti Stoke
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ARGUMENT ESSAY, VIDEO GAME’S POSITIVE EFFECTS
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Video games are suffering from the terrible opinion that it is the root causes of violent
and unethical behavior. While there was not any investigation or comprehensive study about
video games, parents and administrators perceive video gaming as a bad pastime. However,
recent studies have shown that it can be an effective method for learning, stress reduction and
imagination.
First of all, Video game is coming to be an effective learning method which helps people
to train themselves in many different fields. Nowadays, children can improve their logic and
problem solving by playing those games repetitively to concentrate on thinking. According to the
article written by Olson, “Video Games Improve Memory and Problem Solving; Try 'Cut the
Rope' For Yourself” (Jun 27, 2014), “Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University
(NTU) in Singapore have found proof certain video games have the potential to enhance a
person’s ability to think on their feet”(paragraph 1). In responses to this statement, various video
game developers and professors believe that students can remember best when exercising even if
it is just through software simulation. Additionally, the study which was published in the
journal Computers in Human Behavior, written by Dr. Michael D. Patterson, a professor at NTU
offered his view that "This result could have implications in many areas such as educational,
occupational and rehabilitative settings."
Moreover, video games not only can increase the ability of students on how to solve
problems, but also help everyone reduce stress. Studies have shown that games can help alleviate
the stress that we often face every day. Additionally, A study by East Carolina University (ECU)
proves that gentle game such as Pop-cap games could possibly improve the mood of the players
ARGUMENT ESSAY, VIDEO GAME’S POSITIVE EFFECTS
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(Apr. 28, 2008). Furthermore, According to the study made by ECU (paragraph 6), “Bejeweled
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was found to reduce physical stress activity by 54 percent compared to the control group.” In
fact, most people who have tried to play video games recognized that it can effectively reduce
stress.
Additionally, video games can incredibly encourage a child’s imagination. A true
story told by Cecily Kellogg in 2014 that her daughter learned how to make a cake through
Minecraft2. Beside, parents and teachers now believe that the ability to imagine that video games
can bring is infinite. Players will place themselves in situations where they have had the mind to
think in a whole new way. Finally, Kellogg said “I’ve watched my daughter build cities, tame
wolves, and create a dream home for me that included a hot tub. I love the way she has to think
these creative processes through and how inventive she gets — and, above all, how much joy
these games bring her” (2014).
Overall, because of lacking a complete and comprehensive view of the game,
along with the lack of accountability in management and education, people have
misunderstanding about this kind of entertainment. While the administrators and education are
struggling to find the management measures, even limiting game, they forgot that the game is
just a tool; the important is lied in the consciousness of players. Video games could be perfect if
we teach our young generation how to effectively use it.
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Bejeweled is a tile-matching puzzle video game by Pop-Cap Games, first developed for browsers in
2001
2 Minecraft is a sandbox independent video game originally created by Swedish programmer Markus "Notch"
Persson and later developed and published by the Swedish company Mojang. The creative and building
aspects of Minecraft allow players to build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally
generated world.
ARGUMENT ESSAY, VIDEO GAME’S POSITIVE EFFECTS
References
KELLOGG, C. (2014). 5 Incredible Video Games to Encourage Your Child’s Imagination. Retrieved 04 02,
2015, from babble: http://www.babble.com/babble-voices/5-incredible-video-games-to-encourageyour-childs-imagination/
Olson, S. (2014 , June 27). Video Games Improve Memory And Problem Solving; Try 'Cut the Rope' For
Yourself. Retrieved 04 02, 2015, from Medical Daily: http://www.medicaldaily.com/video-gamesimprove-memory-and-problem-solving-try-cut-rope-yourself-290382
University, E. C. (2008, April 28). ECU study shows casual video games relieve stress. Retrieved 04 02,
2015, from ECU News Services: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-admin/news/newsstory.cfm?id=1344
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