Analysis of An Argument TopicsAnalysis of An Argument Index
This list consists of 140 arguments from which one will be chosen for you by the computer when you take your GMAT.
16. The following appeared as part of an article in the election section of a Waymarsh City newspaper.
Throughout the last two decades, those who earned graduate degrees found it very difficult to get jobs teaching their academic specialties at the college level. Those with graduate degrees from Waymarsh University had an especially hard time finding such jobs. But better times are coming in the next decade for all academic jobs seekers, including those from Waymarsh. Demographic trends indicate that an increasing number of people will be reaching college age over the next ten years. Consequently, we can expect that the job market will improve dramatically for people seeking college-level teaching positions in their fields.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underline the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate in conclusion.
(Analysis)
17. The following appeared in an article in a consumer-products magazine.
Two of today's best-selling brands of full-strength prescription medication for the relief of excess stomach acid, Acid-Ease and Peptiaid are now available in milder non-prescription forms. Doctors have written 76 million more prescriptions for full-strength Acid-Ease than for full-strength Peptiaid. So people who need an effective but milder non-prescription medication for the relief of excess stomach acid should choose Acid-Ease.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underline the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate in conclusion.
(Analysis)
18. The following is an except from a memo written by the head of a governmental department.
Neither stronger ethics regulations nor stronger enforcement mechanisms are necessary to ensure ethical behaviour by companies doing business with this department. We already have a code of ethics that companies doing business with this department are urged to abide by and virtually all of these companies have agreed to follow it. We also know that the code is relevant to the current business environment because it was approved within the last year and in direct response to specific violations committed by companies with which we are then working - not in abstract anticipation of potential violations, as so many such codes are.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underline the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate in conclusion.
(Analysis)
19. The following appeared as part of an article in the travel section of a newspaper.
Over the past decade the restaurant industry in the country of Spiessa has experienced unprecedented growth. This surge can be expected to continue in the coming years fuelled by recent social changes. Personal incomes are rising. More leisure time is available. Single-person house-holds are more common and people have a greater interest in gourmet food as evidenced by a proliferation of publications on the subject.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underline the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate in conclusion.
(Analysis)
20. The following appeared in an article in a health and fitness magazine.
Laboratory studies show that Saluda Natural Spring Water contains several of the minerals necessary for good health and it is completely free of bacteria. Residents of Saluda, the small town where the water is bottled, are hospitalized less frequently than the national average. Even though Saluda Natural Spring Water may be seen expensive, drinking it instead of tap water is a wise investment in good health.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underline the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate in conclusion.
(Analysis)
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