GMAT Essays (AWA)

ESSAY QUESTION:
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."

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 author's conclusion that Train and Gain can boost the strength of individuals to professional-level performance contains several fallacies. He assumes that professional body builders don't use any other supplements or don't vary their workout any differently than do normal body builders. The source and scope of the study is another issue that is not supported by his line of reasoning. Lastly, there is no mention of the downsides in using the protein supplement.

The argument depends on the study which was conducted on professional body builders and showed an increase of 20% in measured strength. However, it is too far of a stretch to assume that regular body builders would also experience a 20% increase in strength. For example, the body builders could be using other supplements to enhance their performance. Alternatively, the professionals have developed a time tested routine whereas normal body builders' routines are probably not as effective. The argument could be strengthened by citing a study that compares the effects of the protein supplement on a wide sample of people representing the consumer target market.

The author only mentions one study in his argument and fails to cite the source or sample size of the study. It would be important to know the source in order to determine whether the source is an independent entity, or whether it was the manufacturer's own market study. In this latter case, the results could be questionable since the firm could have tried to influence the results. The sample size is also an important aspect of a scientific study. In this case, the author fails to mention whether the sample size was two people or whether it was a thousand. A sample size of a thousand people is a more effective sample group since any variability would be evened out over the sheer number of people.

Lastly, there is no mention of the downsides of taking the protein supplement pill. For example, it could make an individual stronger for a short burst of time, but actually weaken the individual the rest of the day. Or, it could cause fatigue and actually decrease the body's ability to increase it's strength. Perhaps another study from a medical journal could disprove any downsides in taking the supplement pill.

In conclusion, the author could strengthen his argument by citing a study that has a large sample size and is made up of normal body builders, as well as addressing the downsides of using the supplement.