argument101 考前限时

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TOPIC: ARGUMENT101 - The following appearedin a memo from the president of a company that makes breakfast cereals.

"In a recent study, subjects who atesoybeans at least five times per week had significantly lower cholesterollevels than subjects who ate no soy products. By fortifying our Wheat-O cerealwith soy protein, we can increase sales by appealing to additional consumerswho are concerned about their health. This new version of Wheat-O shouldincrease company profits and, at the same time, improve the health of ourcustomers."
WORDS: 409          TIME: 00:29:13          DATE: 2008-3-27 22:05:21

In this memo, the president suggests thatin order to increase the profits of company and improve the health ofcustomers, it is necessary to fortify WO cereal with soy protein. At firstglance, president's suggestion seems appealing; however close scrutiny revealsthat there are some logical fallacies in the memo that undermines itscredibility.

The threshold problem with this memo liesin that author fails to provide detailed information  about the study such as the total number ofsubjects in the study. Lacking this information makes his conclusion becomeless statistical reliable.

Even if the study is statistical reliable,the president's suggestion still seems unsound for the simple reason he failsto offer direct evidence that the soybeas is low in cholesterol. Thus, it isentirely other issues such as less eating eggs and red meat that contribute thelow in cholesterol. Without ruling out this possibility, author cannot convinceme that eating soybeans would lower cholesterol.

Even if the soybeans do have the functionof reducing cholesterol level, it has no indication that consumers would prefercompany's product that mixes it with WO cereal. Perhaps such mixing wouldresult the taste of the product become so bad consumers even those who are mostconcerned about health are not able to accept its taste. If this is the case,such product will become complete failure in the market. Therefore, failing toaccounting this possibility, author cannot make his claim that the product willbe appealing to consumers who are concerned their health persuasive.

Finally, even if such product can beaccepted by consumers, author's conclusion that it is capable of increasingcompany's profits is still logical unsound. A common sense informs that theprofit of certain product is dependent on its cost and sales. Although thisproduct could gain a good sale in market, its cost is also rising since some soy protein is added to the product.And the president fails to exclude the possibility that the increase in costreaches such a high level that undermines its profits. It this is the truth,president's suggestion become completely unwarranted.

In sum, this argument is not well-supportedas it stands. To bolster it , president should offer concrete evidence that theproduct that mixes cereal and soy protein will be good for consumers' health,and this product will be accepted by consumers. Moreover, company should carryout a survey among potential consumers before they make such a decision.