2022 MAY/JUNE PORTFOLIO EXAMINATION PAPER
Academic Language and Literacy in English
ENG1503 Marks: 100
Duration: 30 MAY 2022 (08:00am)- 01 JUNE 2022 (08:00am)
[48 HOURS (2 DAYS)]
Student no
Question Two – Discursive Essay
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION
Name and Student number……………………………………………………….…………
I declare that this ENG1503 examination is my own original work. Where secondary material has been
used (either from a printed source or from the internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and
referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what plagiarism is and I am
aware of the pertinent policies in this regard. I have not allowed anyone else to borrow or copy my
work.
Signature……………………………………………… Date……………………………………………………
With reference to the above-mentioned quote as a starting point, write an
essay of 500 words in which you discuss THREE (3) advantages and THREE (3)
disadvantages of any social media site/s. In a separate paragraph, mention
how social media has influenced you in your life
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more
are giving people a chance to connect with each other across
distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all
thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most
dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that
something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all
good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for
social media.
, Negative Effects of Social Media
Social networking does have negative effects as well, but are nothing compared to the
advantages of using it. These sites reduce the amount of face to face socializing and
replace it with online interaction which is believed to result in low quality relationships
with other people .Teens over share information to the public that can hurt them in
the future when trying to get a job, and deleting the information is not good enough.
Cyber bullying occurs as well, which is bullying people online in a public way, but
occurs at a small percentage. People that frequently use online social networking are
also prone to social isolation which can lead to depression and decreased social skills.
A false sense of security leaves social networking site users vulnerable to security
attacks such as hacking, leaking sensitive information, and sending viruses. Identity
theft can occur when a cybercriminal uses the network to gather personal information
posted about people (University of the Pacific). It also has been said that social
networking sites endanger children by allowing pedophiles to seek out children (Are
social networking sites good for our society?). Also since they are becoming mobile it
might encourage people to use cell phone to access these sites while driving just like
text messaging was a popular thing to do while driving.
Social networking becoming mobile use will increase cell phone use and the problem
with that is that cell phones have been found to emit electromagnetic radiation that is
absorbed by the brain and body. This absorption disrupts the brain sites for memory
and learning and can cause confusion and forgetfulness . It is also been reported that
cell phones can cause cancer from the electromagnetic exposure to other parts of the
body, but little emphasis has been placed on it. The cause of cancer in the brain has
been the main health concern with cell phones, which social networking by mobile
phone is not exposing the brain to the waves. Also, cell phones give small amounts of
radiation off and would require a lot of use and over a long period of time for it to
start to cause cancer. Research is needed to provide evidence to determine that actual
health risk of cell phones.
Social networking has its advantages and its disadvantages like everything else does.
The sites are continuously advancing, and changing to fix the negative problems. One
example would be accessing social networking sites using cell phones so that people
can access the site on the go rather than sit at home on a computer. Most users have
stated that they have had only positive experiences with social networking, and very
few people experience cyber bullying. There are still problems that need to be fixed,
but it seems that the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. Social networking
is a very valuable tool that can be used to meet new people, and allow people to
remain in contact with friends. Even though it can waste time, social networking
positively affects the world by allowing people to communicate, and remain in contact
with friends in an easy and convenient way.
Academic Language and Literacy in English
ENG1503 Marks: 100
Duration: 30 MAY 2022 (08:00am)- 01 JUNE 2022 (08:00am)
[48 HOURS (2 DAYS)]
Student no
Question Two – Discursive Essay
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION
Name and Student number……………………………………………………….…………
I declare that this ENG1503 examination is my own original work. Where secondary material has been
used (either from a printed source or from the internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and
referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what plagiarism is and I am
aware of the pertinent policies in this regard. I have not allowed anyone else to borrow or copy my
work.
Signature……………………………………………… Date……………………………………………………
With reference to the above-mentioned quote as a starting point, write an
essay of 500 words in which you discuss THREE (3) advantages and THREE (3)
disadvantages of any social media site/s. In a separate paragraph, mention
how social media has influenced you in your life
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more
are giving people a chance to connect with each other across
distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all
thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most
dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that
something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all
good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for
social media.
, Negative Effects of Social Media
Social networking does have negative effects as well, but are nothing compared to the
advantages of using it. These sites reduce the amount of face to face socializing and
replace it with online interaction which is believed to result in low quality relationships
with other people .Teens over share information to the public that can hurt them in
the future when trying to get a job, and deleting the information is not good enough.
Cyber bullying occurs as well, which is bullying people online in a public way, but
occurs at a small percentage. People that frequently use online social networking are
also prone to social isolation which can lead to depression and decreased social skills.
A false sense of security leaves social networking site users vulnerable to security
attacks such as hacking, leaking sensitive information, and sending viruses. Identity
theft can occur when a cybercriminal uses the network to gather personal information
posted about people (University of the Pacific). It also has been said that social
networking sites endanger children by allowing pedophiles to seek out children (Are
social networking sites good for our society?). Also since they are becoming mobile it
might encourage people to use cell phone to access these sites while driving just like
text messaging was a popular thing to do while driving.
Social networking becoming mobile use will increase cell phone use and the problem
with that is that cell phones have been found to emit electromagnetic radiation that is
absorbed by the brain and body. This absorption disrupts the brain sites for memory
and learning and can cause confusion and forgetfulness . It is also been reported that
cell phones can cause cancer from the electromagnetic exposure to other parts of the
body, but little emphasis has been placed on it. The cause of cancer in the brain has
been the main health concern with cell phones, which social networking by mobile
phone is not exposing the brain to the waves. Also, cell phones give small amounts of
radiation off and would require a lot of use and over a long period of time for it to
start to cause cancer. Research is needed to provide evidence to determine that actual
health risk of cell phones.
Social networking has its advantages and its disadvantages like everything else does.
The sites are continuously advancing, and changing to fix the negative problems. One
example would be accessing social networking sites using cell phones so that people
can access the site on the go rather than sit at home on a computer. Most users have
stated that they have had only positive experiences with social networking, and very
few people experience cyber bullying. There are still problems that need to be fixed,
but it seems that the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. Social networking
is a very valuable tool that can be used to meet new people, and allow people to
remain in contact with friends. Even though it can waste time, social networking
positively affects the world by allowing people to communicate, and remain in contact
with friends in an easy and convenient way.
