"Risky Business": RRR for David Dodds

In David Dodd’s article “Beautiful Teenage Brains” (2011), he suggests that teenagers are greater risk takers at thinking and making decisions than adults, although they use the same "cognitive strategies." Dodd uses research from a psychologist—Laurence Steinberg— to support his claims (Dodd). His purpose is to inform readers about the teenage brain in order to get them to understand why teenagers are such risk takers. Dodd's intended audiences are parents, colleagues (other psychologists), and English students. 

         I agree with Dodd's claims. Teenagers often take risks for the reward or the adrenaline they get from being 'daredevils.' I had a friend whose dad was once on drugs. From experience, the dad knew the consequences that came along with drinking and doing drugs. He always encouraged my friend not to follow in his footsteps. One night my friend and three other guys decided they would drink and smoke on the way to a football game. My friend was the driver. They were drinking alcohol, doing drugs, playing loud music and speeding. As teenagers, it’s all fun and games until BOOM! He crashed into an 18-wheeler truck 3 miles away from the football game. He survived, and the other three passengers were ejected from the car. They felt that the reward they would receive from looking cool by taking all those risks was more important than the risk of possibly losing their lives. 

                Dodd uses logos and ethos in the form of facts and expert testimony to support his assertions. He introduces his claim by explaining that teenagers use the same way of thinking as adults do when thinking through problems, yet teenagers take more risks (Dodd). He uses the quote “teens actually overestimate risk,” from Steinberg to add to his explanation of how teens think. Dodd asks, “If teens think as well as adults do and recognize risks just as well, why do they take more chances?” (David Dodd). He uses the rhetorical question to introduce the claims that follow. Dodd explains that teens take risks based on rewards that they'd receive for taking those risks (Dodd). For example, a teen may accept the risk of getting suspended to skip school and hang with friends because it makes them look "cool" (Dodd). Dodd also states that “when teens drive the course alone, in what Steinberg calls the emotionally “cool” situation of an empty room, they take risks at about the same rate that adults do” (Dodd).  He uses this fact to explain that when teens are alone, they are less likely to take risks than they are when their peers are present. The author uses expert testimony and facts to logically and ethically appeal to the audience and support his claims. 

                                                                        Isa Wadley Revised By: Nianicole W. 10/7/2017

Works Cited

David Dodds. “Beautiful Teenage Brains” by David Dodds from National Geographic, October 2011.                Copyright © 2011 by National Geographic Creative. Reprinted by permission of National Geographic Creative.