Could someone please give me their opinion on the quality/potential score of this essay:
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.
YOUR RESPONSE:
The statements above suggest that because Company X's previous model camera set the bar in areas such as price and user friendly interface, its upcoming model, the TR12, will set the new standard in these areas. While this is entirely possible, if one is to take the statements at face value, the reader is able to see that there are several faulty assumptions and premises on which the argument is built. Notably, the author assumes that past success is indicative of future success. As a Finance major, I certainly know that this is not always the case, as is seen in the stock market.
Looking at the premises on which the argument is built, as mentioned above, the author assumes that because Company X's previous model set the standard, its upcoming model will do the same. This is possible, but not a certainty. In addition, the statements suggest that Company X will continue to remain ahead of the competition in areas of price and technology interface. Though it appears to have done so in the past, it is likely that competitors have been working around the clock to catch up and release innovations of their own. Finally, one of the main flaws of the argument is related to the perspective of the statements. The camera is being "promoted" by Company X itself; thus, there is a strong incentive for the company to be enthusiastic about the TR12's prospects. There is an obvious bias here and the reader must take these statements with a grain of salt.
There is little supporting evidence to back up Company X's claims. The statements simply draw upon past success. There are an abundance of factors that could weaken or counter the claims, such as recent advances by the competition in areas such as price and user interface. A recent article suggesting that Company X will have to bump up the price would also serve to weaken the argument. Finally, if there were reports of any technology bugs or issues, the user-friendly claim would be in doubt.
To sum up, the argument rest upon several unsubstantiated claims, most notably that Company X will continue to have a competitive advantage because they have had one in the past. In analyzing this argument further, it would be helpful to read test reviews of the product, technology and field reports on the product, or at the very least hear from someone unaffiliated with Company X to remove the bias. It would also be helpful to see a comparison between the TR12 and any competing camera's that are scheduled to be released in the future, especially in areas of price and user-friendly capabilities. If any of these strengthened Company X's claims, including them in the argument would make the conclusion more logically sound.
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.
YOUR RESPONSE:
The statements above suggest that because Company X's previous model camera set the bar in areas such as price and user friendly interface, its upcoming model, the TR12, will set the new standard in these areas. While this is entirely possible, if one is to take the statements at face value, the reader is able to see that there are several faulty assumptions and premises on which the argument is built. Notably, the author assumes that past success is indicative of future success. As a Finance major, I certainly know that this is not always the case, as is seen in the stock market.
Looking at the premises on which the argument is built, as mentioned above, the author assumes that because Company X's previous model set the standard, its upcoming model will do the same. This is possible, but not a certainty. In addition, the statements suggest that Company X will continue to remain ahead of the competition in areas of price and technology interface. Though it appears to have done so in the past, it is likely that competitors have been working around the clock to catch up and release innovations of their own. Finally, one of the main flaws of the argument is related to the perspective of the statements. The camera is being "promoted" by Company X itself; thus, there is a strong incentive for the company to be enthusiastic about the TR12's prospects. There is an obvious bias here and the reader must take these statements with a grain of salt.
There is little supporting evidence to back up Company X's claims. The statements simply draw upon past success. There are an abundance of factors that could weaken or counter the claims, such as recent advances by the competition in areas such as price and user interface. A recent article suggesting that Company X will have to bump up the price would also serve to weaken the argument. Finally, if there were reports of any technology bugs or issues, the user-friendly claim would be in doubt.
To sum up, the argument rest upon several unsubstantiated claims, most notably that Company X will continue to have a competitive advantage because they have had one in the past. In analyzing this argument further, it would be helpful to read test reviews of the product, technology and field reports on the product, or at the very least hear from someone unaffiliated with Company X to remove the bias. It would also be helpful to see a comparison between the TR12 and any competing camera's that are scheduled to be released in the future, especially in areas of price and user-friendly capabilities. If any of these strengthened Company X's claims, including them in the argument would make the conclusion more logically sound.
