[a习作temp] Argument2--还有十多天就要考试了，还不知道什么水平 [复制链接]

Argument2--

A recent study of eighteen rhesus monkeys provides clues as to the effects of birth order on an individual's levels of stimulation. The study showed that in stimulating situations (such as an encounter with an unfamiliar monkey), firstborn infant monkeys produce up to twice as much of the hormone cortisol, which primes the body for increased activity levels, as do their younger siblings. Firstborn humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in stimulating situations (such as the return of a parent after an absence). The study also found that during pregnancy, first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offspring."

Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

Here the writher contends that the birth order can affect an individual’s level of stimulation. As evidence, he present the result of studies on monkeys and humans, that firstborn monkey in stimulating situation produce up to twice as much of hormone cortisol as do their younger siblings; and that first humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in that situation. The study also found that first-time mother monkeys during pregnancy had higher levels of cortisol that did those who had had several offspring. Although this argument appears well presented at first glance, it contains several logical flaws, which render it unconvincing as it stands.

The first point, the argument assumes that the trend of firstborn infant monkey, first-time mother monkey, and firstborn humans reflects the general trend of firstborn individuals of all others upon which the argument relies. Yet no evidence is offered to substantiate this assumption. Absent such evidence, it is just as likely that firstborn individuals of others do not have such character. Perhaps, this trend just appears in species as primates of which it is normal reaction that producing high levels of cortisol in stimulating in order to response the extra-stimulation rapidly, and the more serious the danger is the higher levels of cortisol are produced. If this is the case, the writer's conclusion would be untenable.

Additionally, even assuming that trend of monkeys and humans reflects those of all others, the argument based on what might be a false comparison between firstborn infant monkeys, firstborn humans, and first-time mother monkeys and their younger siblings, mother monkeys who had had several offspring, respectively. One problem with the analogy involves the differentiation of individual's age. The writher fails to account for the possibility that younger rhesus monkeys and humans, and first-time mother monkeys produce less levels of cortisol or perhaps even do not. If so, the results of the study would be unreliable.

Finally, the argument based on a known correlation between the birth order and produce high levels of cortisol in stimulating situation. Yet the correlation alone amounts to scant evidence of the claimed cause-and-effect relationship. Perhaps high levels of cortisol can be caused by other factors as well. For example, it might be caused by some kind of emotion appears in a certain phase of age when facing stimulation, such as meeting an unfamiliar monkey, reunion with a parent after an absence, and first-time birth of baby monkey. Without considering and ruling out this or other alternatives, the conclusion would lack any merit whatsoever.

In summary, the author cannot justify his or her inference on the basis of scant evidence present in the argument. Too many possibilities may have been responsible for producing high levels of cortisol that the author fails to consider. Only if the study is improved and the more information is proved can the writher's argument be considered more reliable.

  感觉这篇argu特别难写，望在思路上指点指点~~

Here the writher（writer） contends that the birth order can affect an individual’s level of stimulation. As evidence, he（这里最好还用the author/writer,要么用he/she） present（presents） the result of studies on monkeys and humans, that firstborn monkey in stimulating situation produce up to twice as much of hormone cortisol as do their younger siblings; and that first humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in that situation. The study also found that first-time mother monkeys during pregnancy had higher levels of cortisol that did those who had had several offspring（offsprings）. Although this argument appears well presented at first glance, it contains several logical flaws, which render it unconvincing as it stands.（nice sentence）

The first point, the argument assumes that the trend of firstborn infant monkey, first-time mother monkey, and firstborn humans reflects the general trend of firstborn individuals of all others upon which the argument relies. Yet no evidence is offered to substantiate this assumption. Absent such evidence, it is just as likely that firstborn individuals of others do not have such character. Perhaps, this trend just appears in species as primates of which it is normal reaction that producing high levels of cortisol in stimulating in order to response the extra-stimulation rapidly, and the more serious the danger is the higher levels of cortisol are produced. If this is the case, the writer's conclusion would be untenable.

Additionally, even assuming that trend of monkeys and humans reflects those of all others, the argument based on what might be a false comparison between firstborn infant monkeys, firstborn humans, and first-time mother monkeys and their younger siblings, mother monkeys who had had several offspring, respectively. One problem with the analogy involves the differentiation（/dissimilarity） of individual's age. The writher fails to account for the possibility that younger rhesus monkeys and humans, and first-time mother monkeys produce less levels of cortisol or perhaps even do not. If so, the results of the study would be unreliable.

Finally, the argument based on a known correlation between the birth order and produce high levels of cortisol in stimulating situation. Yet the correlation alone amounts to scant evidence of the claimed cause-and-effect relationship. Perhaps high levels of cortisol can be caused by other factors as well. For example, it might be caused by some kind of emotion appears in a certain phase of age when facing stimulation, such as meeting an unfamiliar monkey, reunion with a parent after an absence, and first-time birth of baby monkey. （很好的match 了 instruction）Without considering and ruling out（considering 和ruling out放一起很别扭，建议不用considering） this or other alternatives, the conclusion would lack any merit whatsoever.

In summary, the author cannot justify his or her inference on the basis of scant evidence present in the argument.（这句话用在“evidence” instruction的argument中更合适） Too many possibilities may have been responsible for producing high levels of cortisol that the author fails to consider. Only if the study is improved and the more information is proved（Only if the study is improved by more valid information can...这样写maybe更流畅） can the writher's argument be considered more reliable.