Television Addiction by Marie Winn Guided Reading Spring

“Television Addiction” by Marie Winn Guided Reading Spring 2005 Designed by Daphne Lin

Expressions to Pick Up l addict l l l (noun): a person who is addicted to something. Note: The stressed syllable falls on a. addicted (adjective): sickly dependent. Note: The stressed syllable falls on i. addictive (adj. ): (something) making someone addicted addiction (n. ): the state of being abnormally dependent on something unable (adj. ); inability (n. ) l l He is unable to kick the habit. His inability to kick the habit worries his family.

Paraphrase l “’We are hooked and are making an attempt to kick the habit. ’” (¶ 1) l l “under the spell of the addictive experience” (¶ 4) l l We are addicted and are trying to get rid of the addiction. Note: The word “spell” here is a noun and has nothing to do with the verb “spell” that refers to spelling of words. “his increasing need for heroin in increasing doses” (¶ 5) l Note: The singular form of “doses” is “dose. ” This word is spelt differently from the auxiliary “does. ”

Paraphrase – Continued l “But somehow or other while the television set is present in their homes, the click doesn’t sound. (¶ 7) l l If only a television addict owns a TV set at home, s/he can never turn it off. “He is living a holding pattern, as it were, passing up activities that lead to growth or development or a sense of accomplishment. ” (¶ 10) l Instead of engaging in activities that bring about achievement, he puts off all positive activities (and indulges in television viewing only. )

Discussion Questions l l How does Marie Winn define addiction? What do you think you can add to her definition of addiction? How does Winn apply the definition of addiction in general to define television addiction? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? l l (Table A) Lawrence Kubie writes, “The measure of health is flexibility. . . and especially the freedom to cease when sated. ” Do you agree? Why or why not? How addicted are you to television viewing? Describe your habit of television watching. Reflect on the definition of addiction and introspect into yourself carefully. Are you addicted to anything or anyone? What and how? What can you do or what kind of help do you wish to get to cut the addiction?

Definition of Addiction in general Television addiction Our group’s additional definition

Homework Complete your song lyric for “The Discus Thrower” and two ads for the topic on beauty. Submit them next Monday. l Design your MTV. Submit as early as possible the lyric of your MTV. l Read annotate “How to Put Off Doing a Job. ” l