GMAT Essays (AWA)

Argument:
The following appeared in a print advertisement for a dietary supplement:

"According to a recent study, professional bodybuilders who used Train & Gain, a new protein supplement, over the course of three months experienced an increase in measured strength of up to 20%. Since Train & Gain is now available without prescription at all major pharmacies, superior results are no longer limited to professional athletes. Try Train & Gain today and you too can boost your strength and achieve professional-level performance in just a few months."

Analysis:
The argument states that a new protein supplement, Train & Gain has led to increase in measured strength upto 20% of professional body builders over a period of three months. Since Train & Gain is now available without prescription, so even normal people can boost there strength. In the preceding statement the author claims that" Try Train & Gain today and you too can boost your strength and achieve professional-level performance in just a few months." Though this claim may well have merit, the author presents a poorly reasoned argument based on several questionable premises and assumptions, and based solely on the evidence the author offers, we cannot accept his argument as valid.

The primary issue in author's reasoning lies in his unsubstantiated premises. The author states that a study is always true and accurate and what has benefited the professional body builders will also benefit people who take Train & Gain. Also, the availability of Train & Gain with prescription does not mean that people could not have taken the supplement, for example, if some one is interested in body building or gymnastics etc could have asked for the prescription of Train & Gain. The authors premises, the basis for his argument, lack any legitimate evidentiary support, that render his conclusion unacceptable.

In addition, the author makes several assumptions that remain unproven. The author assumes that the study will generate true data. Moreover, since Train & gain was effective for professional body builders, the author assumes that it will be effective for normal people also. For instance, it is possible that the results achieved by professional body builders in three months will be different as results may be achieved by normal people in more than three months. Also, the increase of measured strength by 20% may be for body builders because they are professionals and this is their job but the case may be different for normal people. The author weakens his argument by failing to provide the explication of links between the use of Train & Gain by professionals and by normal people, that the author assumes exists.

While there are some key issues with authors premises and assumptions at present, that is not to say that the entire argument is without base. The author can provide more examples to support his argument, he can mention the people that were included in the study,for example if the study only included professionals than it is possible that Train & Gain may not be very effective for normal people. Furthermore, why was prescription required before can be mentioned by the author explaining that Train & Gain could be beneficial for regular people by taking prescription also etc. While there are some issues with authors reasoning at present, with research and clarification, he could improve his argument significantly.

In sum, the author illogical argument is based of unsupported premises and unsubstantiated assumptions, that render his conclusion invalid. The author fails to mention that the use of Train & Gain will be as effective for normal people as it is for professional bodybuilders. Also, the connection of taking it with prescription and without prescription is not stated clearly. If the author truly hopes to change his readers mind on the issue, he would have to largely restructure his argument, fix the flaws in his logic, clearly explicate his assumptions, and provide evidentiary support. Without these things his poorly reasoned argument will likely convince few people.

reads good to me .Should score good on GMAT. The only thing is that you must say why it is flawed. It the third para you have said what the author could have done. Remember you are analysing ,not suggesting.




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