ESSAY QUESTION:
The following appeared in a newspaper editorial during the holiday shopping season:
"Americans spend far too much of their time buying and consuming non-essential goods. Studies show that, on average Americans spend over a quarter of their leisure time shopping. As such, it is no secret why America is losing its competitive edge relative to other countries. Instead of spending their time productively, Americans are wasting time through frivolous consumption. In order to counteract this trend, Americans should spend more time focused on personal and communal development--by, for example, pursuing educational advancement or participating in volunteer opportunities."
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 argument claims that Americans spend far too much of their time buying and consuming non-essential goods, As such they America is losing its competitive edge relative to other countries.In order to counteract this trend,Americans should spend more time focused on personal and communal development-- by, for example,pursuing educational advancement or participating in volunteer opportunities.Stated this argument claims fails to mention several key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated.The conclusion relies on the assumption, for which there is no clear evidence.Hence the conclusion is rather weak,unconvincing and has several flaws.
First, it is not explicitly specify that how much time they are consuming and the consumer belongs to which age group, it might be the case that the older age group person enjoy their time with shopping.So there is no proper data available for the above mention assumption.It could be better evaluated if author provided the data explicitly about the overall consumer.Also argument fails to mention about the supply and demand of non-essential goods, it might be the case of supply & demand that the demand of non-essential goods are higher for the consumer but their supply not adequate.
Second, the studies which showed the spending trend of Americans was taken on small proportion of population as compared to overall population and it might be the case that the studies has done on those group of people who has their spending trend like mentioned above.
Third,argument readily assumes that to counteract this trend and Americans should focus their time on personal & communal development which seems weak, as it might be the case that Americans were already pursued several personal and communal development program as they are already a developed country.
In summary,the argument is flawed and therefore, unconvincing.It could be considerably strengthened if author clearly mentioned all the relevant facts.
The following appeared in a newspaper editorial during the holiday shopping season:
"Americans spend far too much of their time buying and consuming non-essential goods. Studies show that, on average Americans spend over a quarter of their leisure time shopping. As such, it is no secret why America is losing its competitive edge relative to other countries. Instead of spending their time productively, Americans are wasting time through frivolous consumption. In order to counteract this trend, Americans should spend more time focused on personal and communal development--by, for example, pursuing educational advancement or participating in volunteer opportunities."
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 argument claims that Americans spend far too much of their time buying and consuming non-essential goods, As such they America is losing its competitive edge relative to other countries.In order to counteract this trend,Americans should spend more time focused on personal and communal development-- by, for example,pursuing educational advancement or participating in volunteer opportunities.Stated this argument claims fails to mention several key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated.The conclusion relies on the assumption, for which there is no clear evidence.Hence the conclusion is rather weak,unconvincing and has several flaws.
First, it is not explicitly specify that how much time they are consuming and the consumer belongs to which age group, it might be the case that the older age group person enjoy their time with shopping.So there is no proper data available for the above mention assumption.It could be better evaluated if author provided the data explicitly about the overall consumer.Also argument fails to mention about the supply and demand of non-essential goods, it might be the case of supply & demand that the demand of non-essential goods are higher for the consumer but their supply not adequate.
Second, the studies which showed the spending trend of Americans was taken on small proportion of population as compared to overall population and it might be the case that the studies has done on those group of people who has their spending trend like mentioned above.
Third,argument readily assumes that to counteract this trend and Americans should focus their time on personal & communal development which seems weak, as it might be the case that Americans were already pursued several personal and communal development program as they are already a developed country.
In summary,the argument is flawed and therefore, unconvincing.It could be considerably strengthened if author clearly mentioned all the relevant facts.
