Tinisha Middleton
English 10
Mr. Estvanic
February 16, 2016
Helpful or Harmful? Young Adult Literature.
Should dark themed novels be read by young adults. Some dark novels may be helpful to people. Many people may be able to relate to the novels they read. Some may find a way to help someone going through a situation read about in the novel. Dark themed young adult literature is help.
Dark themed novel are helpful for teens who are going through adolescence.
Adolescence is a time when teens are capable of engaging deeply with material on an intellectual level and emotional level. So during this period teens are more drawn to dark theme novels(Gayle Forman). Dark themed novels could be very harmful to young adults. These novels could be giving young adults ideas like trying drugs or cut themselves because they’re hurt. If a teen is going through adolescence they are more likely to come into harm’s way. Also according to the National Institutes of Mental
Health teens between the ages of 15 and 19 are six times more likely to die by injury. But we can’t blame the novels young adults may hear or even see things harmful around them like in school, television and peers.
Teens may be able to relate to the novel. These novels can reflect an experience or show a way out of difficult times. For example a teen who can’t see their way out of existence may be able to relate to Sherman Alexie’s Part­Time Indian(Gayle Forman). If

a teen is going through something they read in a novel they should talk to someone because the novel may not always portray the situation accurately. Reaching out and getting help could save a life. But many teens aren’t comfortable talking to someone. Teens reading young adult novels may be able to help a victim or someone in their family who is going through something similar in the novel. Reading these novels could stop someone from taking their situation farther than what it already is. But by reading a book someone may not always be able to relate to it let alone help someone going through a similar situation. Also the person reading the book may do what they read in the book like cutting themselves, taking pills, etc. considering it comforted the person in the book(Meghan Cox Gurdon). Even if one think they can help they can never feel or understand the pain they are going through all one can probably do is try and get them help.
Helpful dark themed novels. For teens going through adolescence dark themed novels can be helpful. Many teens may be able to relate to these novels. By reading dark novels someone may be able to help a friend, family member or peer who is going through a similar situation that they read in the novel. Dark novels may seem all about illness, death, drugs, sex, rape, pain, etc. but really it's about life and teens get that more than adults. CLAIMS : 3 POINTS
3 SOLID ARGUMENTS OPPOSING CLAIMS: 3 POINTS
3 SEE ABOVE EVIDENCE FOR CLAIMS: 3 POINTS

3 GOOD JOB OF INCLUDING EXAMPLES FROM TEXTS INTRO/CONCLUSION: 3 POINTS 3­ GOOD
STYLE & TONE: 3 POINTS
2­ CASUAL VOICE, P.O.V. MECHANICS: 3 POINTS
2­ MECHANICAL ERRORS THROUGHOUT TOTAL: 18 POINTS
16/18=48/54