I'd appreciate any feedback!
ESSAY QUESTION:
The following appeared in an article in a consumer-electronics magazine:
"Company X's latest model of digital camera to be released next month, the TR12, is being promoted as the most portable, user-friendly digital camera available, and also an excellent bargain. It can be expected to live up to these claims, because Company X's previous model, the TR11, was universally lauded as setting the standard in these areas last year."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
MY RESPONSE:
This argument is flawed because it assumes past success equals future success, ignores changes in the market, and equates promoted features with actual features.
First, the argument builds off the success of one previous model and extends it unhesitatingly to a future model. Simply because a company succeeds with one product in the past does not mean that it will succeed with a similar product in the future. Even though Microsoft had phenomenal success with Windows XP, that success did not carry over to Vista. The argument flattens the complexity of new products and assumes that companies who have succeeded in the past will continue to succeed in the future.
Second, the argument also fails to consider the current state of the market. Since Company X is most likely not the only company in the digital camera arena, many other superior products could have come out since their last model. If Company X rests on their laurels and does not improve the product, then it will probably have lost its lead.
Finally, this argument seems to equate the company's advertising points with the product's actual value and feature set. A company will always put its best foot forward in an advertisement and ignore any serious flaws in the product. To continue with Vista, Microsoft did not publicize the fact that their updated operating system was bloated and prone to crashing; instead, they focused on the product's strong points. Only hands-on testing can determine a product's actual value and competitive nature.
Although the argument is seriously flawed, the author could have improved its quality by toning down the conclusion. Rather than asserting its certain success, the author could have expressed a hope that the new product will live up to its past. The author could have also strengthened the argument by mentioning the strength or weakness of market the TR12 is entering.
ESSAY QUESTION:
The following appeared in an article in a consumer-electronics magazine:
"Company X's latest model of digital camera to be released next month, the TR12, is being promoted as the most portable, user-friendly digital camera available, and also an excellent bargain. It can be expected to live up to these claims, because Company X's previous model, the TR11, was universally lauded as setting the standard in these areas last year."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
MY RESPONSE:
This argument is flawed because it assumes past success equals future success, ignores changes in the market, and equates promoted features with actual features.
First, the argument builds off the success of one previous model and extends it unhesitatingly to a future model. Simply because a company succeeds with one product in the past does not mean that it will succeed with a similar product in the future. Even though Microsoft had phenomenal success with Windows XP, that success did not carry over to Vista. The argument flattens the complexity of new products and assumes that companies who have succeeded in the past will continue to succeed in the future.
Second, the argument also fails to consider the current state of the market. Since Company X is most likely not the only company in the digital camera arena, many other superior products could have come out since their last model. If Company X rests on their laurels and does not improve the product, then it will probably have lost its lead.
Finally, this argument seems to equate the company's advertising points with the product's actual value and feature set. A company will always put its best foot forward in an advertisement and ignore any serious flaws in the product. To continue with Vista, Microsoft did not publicize the fact that their updated operating system was bloated and prone to crashing; instead, they focused on the product's strong points. Only hands-on testing can determine a product's actual value and competitive nature.
Although the argument is seriously flawed, the author could have improved its quality by toning down the conclusion. Rather than asserting its certain success, the author could have expressed a hope that the new product will live up to its past. The author could have also strengthened the argument by mentioning the strength or weakness of market the TR12 is entering.
