This document discusses evaluating arguments on both sides of the issue of cell phone safety. It presents evidence and arguments from those who believe cell phones are safe and those who believe they present health risks. Students review these pro and con positions, discussing which presents stronger evidence based on research data and logical reasoning. They then prepare to write an essay evaluating both sides of the cell phone debate.

1. Cell Phone Use: The Pros and Cons
Prepare to Write an
Argumentative Essay

2. Evaluating Pro and Con Arguments
A Common Core Lesson
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Gregg Berry, B. A.
Common Core Curriculum Solutions
www.commoncorecurriculum.info

3. Common Core Reading Standards
Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a
text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the
evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant
evidence is introduced.
Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a
text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the
evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant
evidence is introduced.

4. Common Core Speaking
and Listening Standards
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
(one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse
partners on topics, texts, and issues, building on others’
ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims,
evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance
and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when
irrelevant evidence is introduced.

5. Writing Standards
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant
evidence, using accurate, credible sources and
demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and
clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims,
reasons, and evidence.
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows
from and supports the argument presented

6. Evaluating Pro and Con Arguments
Prepare to Review the
Issue and Write an
Argumentative Essay

7. Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?
Think About This

8. Does cell phone use when driving
cause more highway deaths?
Think About This

9. Do Cell Phones Reduce Crime?

10. Issue: Are Cell Phones Safe?
Let’s Think About the Issue
Is the radio frequency radiation emitted by cell
phone use dangerous to the human body?
• Is there a link between cell phone use and brain
tumors?
• Is there a connection between cell phones stored
near the body and cancerous tumors?

11. Are Cell Phones Helpful or Hurtful?
Let’s Think About the Issue
•Is Using a cell phone while driving
dangerous?
•Should young children be able to use cell
phones?
•Do cell phones help prevent crime?

12. What Do You Think?
Use your red or green card to signify your response to this question.
Raise your red card if you disagree or your green card if you agree.
People should limit their use of cell
phones since they present many hazards
to human beings?

13. What Do You Think?
Raise Your Red or Green Card
People should continue to
use their cell phones the way
they wish and not worry
about the reported dangers
of cell phone use.

14. Essential Questions to Guide our
Review of the Issue
• 1. What does the research data say about the
issue?
• 2. How do you know the research is reliable?
• 3. Are the arguments supported by logical
reasoning?
• 4. Is each argument supported by specific facts
and examples?
• 5. Which side of the issue is supported by a the
preponderance of the evidence?

15. Evaluating Evidence
Now that we have shared opinions, let’s
examine the evidence. Analyze the pro
and con arguments on the following
frames and determine which position
presents the strongest case.

16. Read each argument closely to see if it passes
the smell test?
Take careful notes as you read
the following arguments.

17. Review the Evidence and Arguments
The Pro Position: Reason # 1
Numerous peer-reviewed studies have found that cell
phone use is not associated with an increased risk of brain
tumors. An Oct. 20, 2011 study of 358,403 Danish citizens –
the largest study of its kind to date – concluded that "there
was no association between tumors of the central nervous
system or brain and long term (10 years +) use of mobile
phones." A July 27, 2011 study found that there was no
association between cell phone use and brain tumor risks
among children and adolescents. Numerous other studies
published from 2001-2013 have similarly concluded that
there is no association between cell phone use and the
development of brain tumors.

18. There has been no rise in the rate of brain cancers
despite a massive increase in the use of cell phones. If
cell phones were causing cancer we could expect a
significant rise in the rate of brain and other related
cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, there
was no increase in the incidence of brain or other nervous
system cancers between the years 1987 and 2005 despite
the fact that cell phone use dramatically increased during
those same years. Between 2004 and 2010 there was still
no significant change in the incidence rate of brain
tumors. Between 2004 and 2010 there was a slight
increase from 209 cases to 221.8 cases per 100,000
people, but this slight increase was attributed to better
tracking and recording of cases. During the same time
period, cell phone use increased 62.7% from 182,140,362
subscribers in 2004 to 296,285,629 in 2010.

19. Reason # 2
Use of a cell phone while driving is not
inherently unsafe. Many activities that
distract drivers are much more dangerous
than talking on a phone. Research shows that
cell phone use is a factor in less than 1% of
accidents and that adjusting the radio or CD
player, talking with passengers, or eating, and
drinking while driving are all responsible for
more accidents than cell phones.

20. Reason # 3
Cell phones increase personal safety by
providing an easy means of contacting
others during an emergency. According to
the Wireless Association (CTIA), more that
400,000 wireless 911 calls are made every
day. According to an American Association
of Retired Persons (AARP) poll, 56% of
people over the age of 65 cite safety as a
reason they have a cell phone.

21. Review the Evidence and Arguments
Con Arguments
Numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown an
association between cell phone use and the
development of brain tumors. According to a Mar.
2008 meta-analysis of cell phone studies there is a
"consistent pattern" connecting cell phone use and
an increased risk of developing glioma, a type of
brain tumor. A Mar. 31, 2009 study found that long
term cell phone use (10 years +) "approximately
doubles the risk" of being diagnosed with glioma on
the same side of the head where the cell phone is
held.

22. In Apr. 2013 another study of Swedish cell phone
users also found an association between cell
phone use and the development of glioma and
acoustic neuroma - a benign tumor formation on
the nerve near the ear. That study’s conclusions
were confirmed by a different study in Apr.
2014. Other studies published from 2005-2013
have similarly concluded that there is an
association between cell phone use and increased
risk of developing brain and head tumors.

23. Children may have an increased risk of adverse
health effects from cell phone
radiation. According to American Academy of
Pediatrics President Dr. Robert Block, when cell
phones are used by children, "the average RF
energy deposition is two times higher in the brain
and 10 times higher in the bone marrow of the
skull," than for adults. A July 2008 peer-reviewed
study shows that children under the age of eight
absorb twice the amount of radiation into their
brain tissue as adults due to their lower skull
thickness.

24. Using a cell phone while driving, even with a
hands-free device, is unsafe and makes accidents
more likely. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driving
distractions, including the use of cell phones,
contribute to 25% of all traffic
crashes. According to researchers at the
University of Utah people who drive while talking
on their cell phones are as impaired as drunk
drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%.

25. Children may have an increased risk of adverse
health effects from cell phone
radiation. According to American Academy of
Pediatrics President Dr. Robert Block, when cell
phones are used by children, "the average RF
energy deposition is two times higher in the brain
and 10 times higher in the bone marrow of the
skull," than for adults. A July 2008 peer-reviewed
study shows that children under the age of eight
absorb twice the amount of radiation into their
brain tissue as adults due to their lower skull
thickness.

26. Converse with Your Peers
Meet in small groups to discuss the
pros and cons of this issue and take a
group position on the problem. Select a
group chairperson to lead the group and
report back to he class.
Discuss the following essential Questions.

27. Are Cell Phones Helpful or Hurtful?
Let’s Think About the Issue
•Is Using a cell phone while driving
dangerous?
•Should young children be able to use cell
phones?
•Do cell phones help prevent crime?

28. Consider the following essential questions.
Review the Issue
• 1. What does the research data say about the
issue?
• 2. How do you know the research is reliable?
• 3. Are the arguments supported by logical
reasoning?
• 4. Is each argument supported by specific facts
and examples?
• 5. Which side of the issue is supported by a the
preponderance of the evidence?

29. Research and Statistics
• Compare the research and statistics for
both the pro and con positions
• Discuss which position presents the
strongest research and most reliable
sources

30. Continue Your Group Deliberations
• Have group members use their notes to
discuss and analyze each major argument and
supporting evidence.
• Each group member should take the leadership
and lead the discussion on one or more of the
pro and con arguments.

31. Report Back to the Class
Present your findings to the
class. Which side of the issue
does your group support?
Why?

32. Report Back to the Class
Present your findings to the
class. Which side of the issue
does your group support?
Why?

33. Write an Essay
Organize your ideas and prepare to write an
essay about the pros and cons of cell phone
use. Evaluate the arguments and evidence on
both sides of the issue. Weigh the pros and
cons and decide which position is supported
by the most persuasive evidence.

34. Develop a Writing Plan
•Determine what your main point will be, and write a
topic sentence that provides focus for your essay.
•Choose several main ideas that support your topic
sentence.
•Sort your information into supporting details with
facts and examples.
•Be sure to address both the pro and con positions
34

35. Use the following
essay format to
write your paper.
35

36. 36
Essay
Outline
Introduction
What is my topic
sentence?
Body-Main Ideas
With supporting
details
Conclusion
How can I summarize
my paragraph?
How can I rephrase
my topic sentence?

37. Essays Require
Three Main
Sections

38. Begin Your Essay With
a Carefully Crafted
Introduction

39. Get the Reader’s Attention and State Your Thesis

40. The Key Elements of a
Strong Introduction

41. Check Out This Sample Introduction

42. Details Must Support
the Main Ideas
Provide specific
facts, examples,
and reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

43. Create an Outline
Topic Sentence___________________________________
_______________________________________________
A. Main Idea_____________________________________
_______________________________________________
Details/Evidence__________________________________
_______________________________________________
Details/Evidence__________________________________
_______________________________________________
B. Main Idea_____________________________________
_______________________________________________
Details/Evidence__________________________________
________________________________________________
43

44. Prepare to Write
•Use your outline and write
an essay on your topic.
•As you write your rough
draft, it will be very
important to use special
words that enable you to
transition smoothly from one
idea to the next.
44

45. Transition Words
As you view these words,
select the words that help you
make transitions smoothly
from one idea to the next.
• as a result
• such as
• for example
• nevertheless
• for that reason
• finally
• at this time
• therefore
• furthermore
• in addition
• in conclusion
• as well as
45

46. Conclusion
Write a conclusion
for your essay
reviewing your main
points and
discussing why this
issue is so important
for our future.

47. Write a Strong Conclusion for Your Essay

49. Let’s Review a Good Conclusion

50. Review, Edit, and Rewrite
1. Re-read your essay several
times.
2. How can you improve your
sentences to communicate more
clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported
by examples and details?
4. Exchange papers with another
student and read each other’s
essay out loud.
5. Make final corrections and write
the final draft of your polished
essay. 50

51. 51
Copyright Protected © 2013 Dean R. Berry
All Rights Reserved
No part of this document may be reproduced without written permission
from the author