马上要考试了，ARG236球拍亚球拍

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TOPIC: ARGUMENT236 - The following appeared as a letter to the editor of a local Solano newspaper.

"The Solano school district should do away with its music education programs. After all, music programs are not especially popular in our schools: only 20 percent of our high school students participated in music programs last year. Furthermore, very few of the Solano district's college-bound students are interested in majoring in music at the university level. Also, when the school district of our neighboring town of Rutherford eliminated its music programs two years ago, the overall grade point average in the high school increased by 10 percent the next year. Surely the money spent on Solano music programs could be better used to improve the quality of traditional academic courses."
WORDS: 480          TIME: 00:34:13          DATE: 2010/2/15 14:54:38

By considering that only 20 percent of high school student participated in music program last year, the author arrives at the conclusion that music programs are not popular in schools and should be given up. In addition, the author points out that very few of students in Solano district's colleges are interested in majoring in music. Moreover, he infers that neighboring town increase its overall grade point by eliminated it's music programs. However, close scrutiny of this argument  reveals that it is unconvincing in several aspects.

First and foremost, the author saw that 20 percent of high school students participated in music programs last year, hence he straightly declares that the music program is not popular in Solamo. However, he does not compare the participate rate of music program with other programs, it is possible that the participate rate of music program is already very high among non-traditional academic courses therefore, it is in fact very popular. In addition, the author just provide the condition in high school, while he applies the result the all school in Solano district without showing us whether condition in high school is a representative of all school. Moreover, since music to a very important way for students to relax and express their feeling about life, even if it is not popular in recent years, it still has its merit and may become popular the future. Without ruling out these possibilities, the author's conclusion cannot stand by itself.

Secondly, the author infers that students would not major in music when they go to university, the only evidence he provides is the condition in local colleges. However, since that local students may go to universities in other cities. Just providing local condition is not enough. Moreover, students who like music do not have to major in music. Music is a method for entertaining and relaxing, not for making a living. Hence it is very normal for students who like music major in other course so it will be easier for them to find better jobs.

finally, the author mentions that the overall grade point average in the high school increased by 10 percent after schools in Rutherford eliminated it music program as a typical evidence of the advantage of eliminating music programs. However, there are many factors like an increase in educational quality can contribute the increase. Moreover, even eliminating music program did contribute to the increase, situation in different cities differs greatly. The author unfairly applies the result to Solano without showing that schools in Solano can also benefit from this . After all, since that music is a very good way to cultivate our students and help them build their personalities. I think it is worthy to scarifies some time for enjoying music.
In sum, the argument is not persuasive as it stands, the author should provide more evidences and take every possibilities into account.