Q2) The following appeared in a letter to the school board in the town of Centerville.
"All students should be required to take the driver's education course at Centerville High School. In the past two years, several accidents in and around Centerville have involved teenage drivers. Since a number of parents in Centerville have complained that they are too busy to teach their teenagers to drive, some other instruction is necessary to ensure that these teenagers are safe drivers. Although there are two driving schools in Centerville, parents on a tight budget cannot afford to pay for driving instruction. Therefore an effective and mandatory program sponsored by the high school is the only solution to this serious problem."
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
A: All students from Centerville High School are required to take a drivers' education course. The number of accidents involving teenagers is the reason behind the School's decision. Also, the School argues that this is the only solution to the serious problem. This argument fails to explain various dimensions or the reasons behind the accidents, which is explained below.
The argument is flawed as the students are required to take a driver's education course in Centerville High School, as a solution to the accidents involving teenage drivers. The course offered in the High School might not be of good quality, when compared to the two driving schools in Centerville. The instructors may not be experienced, and the way in which the course is offered may not hone the driving skills of the High School's students. This argument can be strengthened by saying that the High School uses the services of the other two driving schools, and offer the course at a lesser or no cost to the students.
In addition, the argument states that in the past two years, accidents in and around Centerville have involved teenage drivers. Maybe, some teenage drivers lack the driving skill, but not all. There might be other reasons behind the accidents involving teenagers. Alcohol or other narcotic substances have an effect on the human brain. And we always hear about teenagers who are prone to drinks and drugs, owing to peer pressure or other reasons. And, the best of teenage drivers who has consumed alcohol, might be prone to accidents. The argument can be repaired, provided more details regarding the cause of accidents are given.
Moreover, the argument assumes that the mandatory driving program or course is the only solution to this serious problem. This might not hold true, as accidents involve randomness ie. the probability of an accident occurring cannot be determined. Also, the teenage drivers may not have attained proper control over vehicle, which happens to be the desired outcome. Driving skills of a person depends on experience and maturity. The age factor of the teenagers might prevent them from gaining driving knowledge and skills from the course. And, the adrenaline rush among teenagers cannot be controlled just by offering a driving course. Youngsters normally crave for speed and thrill, and this may lead to a number of accidents. The argument can provide more details on legal issues involving speed limit breaches by teenage drivers, if the driving course is expected to have a successful outcome.
It is possible to conclude that the driving program might not have predicted results. The various flaws in the argument can affect the School's intention to curb accidents involving teenagers. However, strengthening the argument by adding to details involving every aspect involving the accident can have a positive result.
"All students should be required to take the driver's education course at Centerville High School. In the past two years, several accidents in and around Centerville have involved teenage drivers. Since a number of parents in Centerville have complained that they are too busy to teach their teenagers to drive, some other instruction is necessary to ensure that these teenagers are safe drivers. Although there are two driving schools in Centerville, parents on a tight budget cannot afford to pay for driving instruction. Therefore an effective and mandatory program sponsored by the high school is the only solution to this serious problem."
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
A: All students from Centerville High School are required to take a drivers' education course. The number of accidents involving teenagers is the reason behind the School's decision. Also, the School argues that this is the only solution to the serious problem. This argument fails to explain various dimensions or the reasons behind the accidents, which is explained below.
The argument is flawed as the students are required to take a driver's education course in Centerville High School, as a solution to the accidents involving teenage drivers. The course offered in the High School might not be of good quality, when compared to the two driving schools in Centerville. The instructors may not be experienced, and the way in which the course is offered may not hone the driving skills of the High School's students. This argument can be strengthened by saying that the High School uses the services of the other two driving schools, and offer the course at a lesser or no cost to the students.
In addition, the argument states that in the past two years, accidents in and around Centerville have involved teenage drivers. Maybe, some teenage drivers lack the driving skill, but not all. There might be other reasons behind the accidents involving teenagers. Alcohol or other narcotic substances have an effect on the human brain. And we always hear about teenagers who are prone to drinks and drugs, owing to peer pressure or other reasons. And, the best of teenage drivers who has consumed alcohol, might be prone to accidents. The argument can be repaired, provided more details regarding the cause of accidents are given.
Moreover, the argument assumes that the mandatory driving program or course is the only solution to this serious problem. This might not hold true, as accidents involve randomness ie. the probability of an accident occurring cannot be determined. Also, the teenage drivers may not have attained proper control over vehicle, which happens to be the desired outcome. Driving skills of a person depends on experience and maturity. The age factor of the teenagers might prevent them from gaining driving knowledge and skills from the course. And, the adrenaline rush among teenagers cannot be controlled just by offering a driving course. Youngsters normally crave for speed and thrill, and this may lead to a number of accidents. The argument can provide more details on legal issues involving speed limit breaches by teenage drivers, if the driving course is expected to have a successful outcome.
It is possible to conclude that the driving program might not have predicted results. The various flaws in the argument can affect the School's intention to curb accidents involving teenagers. However, strengthening the argument by adding to details involving every aspect involving the accident can have a positive result.
