Argument:
The following appeared in The Homebuilder magazine, a local publication with a focus on construction and sale of real-estate properties:
"According to the most recent survey of our readers, nearly 70% of the respondents indicated that they are planning to build or purchase a new home over the next 2 years. These results indicate that the growth in the construction industry is likely to accelerate in the near future. Therefore, this industry continues to offer lucrative opportunities for investment."
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.
My Essay:
Nowadays the construction industry is an important indicator on how the economic situation in a particular region and/or country is. "The Homebuilder" magazine published an article which states that a recent survey reflects that 70% of respondents indicate that they are planning to build or purchase a new home over the next 2 years. As a result of this survey, the magazine concludes that the growth in the construction industry is likely to accelerate in the near future. I find this argument unconvincing due to several flaws.
First of all, the above argument does not mention any data about the people who participated in this survey. The only thing we know about these people is that they are readers of "The Homebuilder" magazine. Therefore, the magazine should present some data about these readers. We do not know if the readers are employed or unemployed, we also do not know their social status, their average income, their age, etc. People from different groups would answer in a different way. For example, a person that is currently unemployed and whose salary is in the lower side, will most likely not consider buying or building a new house in the following two years. The situation is very different for an employed CEO.
Furthermore, the magazine states that the referenced data comes from the most recent survey. However, the date when the survey was actually conducted is not mentioned. Between the time this survey has occurred and the time it was published many factors could have changed. We could assume that the survey was conducted in 2006 or 2007 and the results published in 2008. During this 1-2 years period of time there were so many changes in the United States and not only. Many people who were prosperous in 2006 and were planning to having immense houses, found out that they were jobless and they could not even pay their current rent or mortgage. Subsequently, the time when this survey was conducted is critical in making a conclusion.
On the other hand, the article might be right. The survey might reflect the true, and the construction industry might accelerate in the future. The magazine should give more details about its readers and the time when this survey has occurred. The knowledge about the background of the surveyed people and the financial situation in the country at the time would strengthen the argument and make it more credible.
In conclusion, I must reinstate that although the magazine might have a point in its argument, due to lack of supporting evidence, the argument remains weak and open for debate.
Thanks!
The following appeared in The Homebuilder magazine, a local publication with a focus on construction and sale of real-estate properties:
"According to the most recent survey of our readers, nearly 70% of the respondents indicated that they are planning to build or purchase a new home over the next 2 years. These results indicate that the growth in the construction industry is likely to accelerate in the near future. Therefore, this industry continues to offer lucrative opportunities for investment."
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.
My Essay:
Nowadays the construction industry is an important indicator on how the economic situation in a particular region and/or country is. "The Homebuilder" magazine published an article which states that a recent survey reflects that 70% of respondents indicate that they are planning to build or purchase a new home over the next 2 years. As a result of this survey, the magazine concludes that the growth in the construction industry is likely to accelerate in the near future. I find this argument unconvincing due to several flaws.
First of all, the above argument does not mention any data about the people who participated in this survey. The only thing we know about these people is that they are readers of "The Homebuilder" magazine. Therefore, the magazine should present some data about these readers. We do not know if the readers are employed or unemployed, we also do not know their social status, their average income, their age, etc. People from different groups would answer in a different way. For example, a person that is currently unemployed and whose salary is in the lower side, will most likely not consider buying or building a new house in the following two years. The situation is very different for an employed CEO.
Furthermore, the magazine states that the referenced data comes from the most recent survey. However, the date when the survey was actually conducted is not mentioned. Between the time this survey has occurred and the time it was published many factors could have changed. We could assume that the survey was conducted in 2006 or 2007 and the results published in 2008. During this 1-2 years period of time there were so many changes in the United States and not only. Many people who were prosperous in 2006 and were planning to having immense houses, found out that they were jobless and they could not even pay their current rent or mortgage. Subsequently, the time when this survey was conducted is critical in making a conclusion.
On the other hand, the article might be right. The survey might reflect the true, and the construction industry might accelerate in the future. The magazine should give more details about its readers and the time when this survey has occurred. The knowledge about the background of the surveyed people and the financial situation in the country at the time would strengthen the argument and make it more credible.
In conclusion, I must reinstate that although the magazine might have a point in its argument, due to lack of supporting evidence, the argument remains weak and open for debate.
Thanks!
