Original discussion:

Dr. Diaz :

Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at lots of different materials about the role of television programs and television watching in people’s lives. But first, I want to know what you think about this topic. So here’s a question for the class discussion board: 

What do you think is the most significant effect that watching television has on people? Why do you think television has this effect? 

Kelly 

I know that one way that television influences people’s behavior is that when you are watching television, you are not moving around or exercising. This is especially true for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that when children spend a lot of time watching television, they have a greater tendency to be overweight. 

Paul

I think the main effect that television has on people is to broaden their experience. There are so many programs devoted to nature and travel. Think of all the different places in the world you can experience through television! Last night I watched a program about life in Antarctica, and it was fascinating!

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Task 2 – This is a high-level response. 

In my opinion, Paul is right when he says that watching television might broaden your experience. By watching for example science programs, you can gain valueable insights into new topics. On the other hand, I think that a high percentage of people don't watch TV to increase their knowledge. I am of the opinion that many people watch TV in order to get distracted from their real lives. They watch films or series to be entertained and to forget problems they have at work or in their private lives. At least for me this works well - for instance if I am sad, I watch a comedy or a funny soap opera and afterwards, I am in a better mood. Therefore, I think that being entertained and distracted is the most significant effect of TV. 

Explanation: This response is in the high writing proficiency range. It would probably earn the score of 5 based on the Academic Discussion Scoring Rubric. The writer conveys complex and well argued ideas that contribute nicely to the discussion. While the writer mentions Paul’s point of view, the writer does not just repeat it. Instead, the writer takes Paul’s ideas as the starting point, and goes on to present a different point of view, arguing that watching TV is not mainly educational but rather a relaxing experience. The writer then goes on to develop this point of view, explaining why people need to relax, and providing the writer’s own personal experiences: why the writer usually watches TV, which programs, and so on. The language the writer uses has a nice variety, both in how the sentences are formed and in the range of the vocabulary used. There are almost no errors; the word “valuable” in the second sentence is misspelled, but that may be expected from even competent writers writing under timed conditions, as the Scoring Rubric explains.