GMAT Essays (AWA)

TOPIC -
"Over 75% of households in the town of Parksbboro have jacuzzi bathtubs. In addition, the average family income in Pakboro is 50% higher than the national average, and, a local store reports record-high sales of the most costly brands of hair and body care products. With so much being spent on the personal care, Parksboro will be a profitable location for a new luxe Spa - a salon that offers premim services at prices that are above average."

ARGUMENT ESSAY -

The writer concludes that opening of the new luxe Spa in Parksboro will be profitable, by offering premium services at prices higher than avarage, given the spending habits of the general population in Parksboro. The conclusion relies on the assumption that the targeted highly paid demographic which spends money on jacuzzi tubs and saloon products will spend money on the premium services the spa will offer, seems justified.

First, writer states that the fact 75% of he households in the town of Parksboro have jacuzzi bathtubs in their households. Also the fact that sales of hair and body care products has been on a record rise. This suggests that the general households like to spend money on persnoal body care in general. This aspect of the demographic can be very well harnessed to reap profits from opening a luxe Spa and attract this highly potential customer.

In addition, it is a general fact that households with higher salary scale, as suggested by the author, have a high scale social structure, where following precedence is vaulable and considered highly moral. If a few people start going to Luxe Spa, that will eaily set a trend amoung the friends and colleages, who would follow, just to keep the moral social status. This again would work in favor of Luxe Spa.

Finally, it seems that providing the premium services at higher cost than avarage would not be an issue with this above average salary households, especially given the reasoning about keeping the status and following the precedence. Hence, given the evidences mentioned by the writer, the argument about the profitability of Luxe Spa would hold true.

i would say a 6 pointer...
however, your id seems to be abusing...

For the argument essay, the rule is to find errors in the aurthor's logical reasoning. You're not suppose to agree with the topic argument.
You need to point out the false assumptions & fallacies.

For the argument essay, the rule is to find errors in the aurthor's logical reasoning. You're not suppose to agree with the topic argument.
You need to point out the false assumptions & fallacies.

I'm not sure, if that's a true statement.

I think, you 'can' agree or disagree with the argement. Either ways, you must present an appropriate reasoning, preferably with convincing examples.

Although, it is usually easier to blow holes in the argument and hence the dissagreement would be easier to defend.

Please correct me as needed.

vivianchi is right. you need to find holes in the argument. The other half of AWA ("Analysis of an Issue") presents you with a topic on which you can take a position and justify it or go against it!

vivianchi0817 wrote:For the argument essay, the rule is to find errors in the aurthor's logical reasoning. You're not suppose to agree with the topic argument.
You need to point out the false assumptions & fallacies.

u are right abt the point u mentioned. . .but what if there are no fallacies. ..
can u point out any fallacy in the argument mentioned above,. . .
i think pointing out the fallacies in the argument is subjective to the argument and should not be taken as a thumbrule that is to be followed always. . . wat say?

Here are two reasons why you might want to disagree with the conclusion reached in that argument.

One thing for example is that about 75% of the houses in that area have a jacuzzi and that underlying premise is used to conclude that people are willing to spend more on the personal care. While the data might be accurate, it is no reason to believe that people choose to have a jacuzzi in their households. The reason 75% of houses have jacuzzis could just as likely be because a local jacuzzi store was going out of business and therefore sold many of its units at a cheap price and offered free services.

Again, the local retailer may have sold most of his premium hair and body care units as a result of slashing prices on that unit that made these products attractive to the local community.

One thing you should notice is that the reasoning mentioned needn't be concrete as long as you find some points of contention you should be fine.

Other possible refutes:

1. What about competition. If there are already a couple luxe spa in the town will it make sense to open another one.

2. Whats the national average and does 50% higher salary than national average make this clientele high scale? If not then may be they can not afford the luxe spa.

3. Did the residents installed jacuzzi bathtubs or did the bathtubs come with the house when the current owner bought it?