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.
101. The following appeared in an editorial from a newspaper serving the town of Saluda.
The Saluda Consolidated High School offers over 200 different courses from which its students can choose. Amuch smaller private school down the street offers a basic curriculum of only 80 different courses, but it consistently sends a higher proportion of its graduating seniors on to college than Consolidated does. By eliminating at least half of the courses offered there and focusing on a basic curriculum, we could improve student’s performance at Consolidated and also save many tax dollars.
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.
102. The following appeared as part of an article in the book section of a newspaper.
Currently more and more books are becoming available in electronic form either free-of-charge on the Internet or for a very low price-per-book on compact disc. Thus literary classics are likely to be read more widely than ever before. People who couldn't have purchased these works at bookstore prices will now be able to read them for little or no money. Similarly, people who find it inconvenient to visit libraries and wait for books to be returned by other patrons will now have access to whatever classic they choose from their home or work computers. This increase in access to literary classics will radically affect the public taste in reading creating a far more sophisticated and learned reading audience than has ever existed before.
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.
103. The following appeared as an editorial in a magazine concerned with educational issues.
In our country, the real earnings of men who have only a high-school degree have decreased significantly over the past fifteen years. but those of male college graduates have remained about the same. Therefore, the key to improving the earnings of the next generation of workers is to send all students to college. Our country’s most important educational goal, then, should be to establish enough colleges and universities to accommodate all high school graduates.
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.
104. The following appeared as part of a business plan created by the management of the Take Heart Fitness Centre.
After opening the new swimming pool early last summer, Take Heart saw a 12 percent increase in the use of the centre by its members. Therefore, in order to increase membership in Take Heart, we should continue to add new recreational facilities in subsequent years. For example, a multipurpose game room, a tennis court and a miniature of golf course. Being the only canter in the area offering this range of activities would give us a competitive advantage in the health and recreation market.
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.
105. The following appeared in a letter from a staff member in the office of admissions at Argent University.
The most recent nationwide survey show that undergraduates choose their major field primarily based on their perception of job prospects in that field. At our university, economics is now the most popular majors so students must perceive this field as having the best Job prospects. Therefore, we can increase our enrolment if we focus our advertising and recruiting on publicizing the accomplishments of our best-known economies professors and the success of our economics graduates in finding employment.
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.
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