Phoenix小组组员6号A35

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第一个错误不会咋分析....
TOPIC: ARGUMENT35 - The following appeared in the summary of a study on headaches suffered by the residents of Mentia.

"Salicylates are members of the same chemical family as aspirin, a medicine used to treat headaches. Although many foods are naturally rich in salicylates, for the past several decades food-processing companies have also been adding salicylates to foods as preservatives. This rise in the commercial use of salicylates has been found to correlate with a steady decline in the average number of headaches reported by participants in our twenty-year study. Recently, food-processing companies have found that salicylates can also be used as flavor additives for foods. With this new use for salicylates, we can expect a continued steady decline in the number of headaches suffered by the average citizen of Mentia."
WORDS: 404                                        TIME: 00:48:48                                DATE: 2010-3-3 11:40:49

In this argument, the author claims that in order to decline the number of headaches, the food-processing companies should use the flavor additives in food. To substantiate his recommendation, the author provide the evidence that Salicylates are members of the same chemical family as aspirin and cites a study that the decline number of headaches are related to result for the adding salicylates to food as preservatives. However, the argument depends on several assumption mentioned above and is therefore unpersuasive as it stand.

To begin with, the author's assumption can not prove that the salicylates have the same effect to aspirin, although they belong to the same chemical family. Frequently, the chemical elements in the same family may have different effects. Even if they have the same effects, the author's fail to support that whether the effects are good or not.

Next, there is no evidence to support that adding salicylates in foods as preservatives is relevant to the steady decline in the average number of headaches. Perhaps, it is possible that other factors like lifestyle and environment may cause the declining headaches. Even if they have relationship, but author fails to certain that the number of decline headaches has decline in the past but not still have the same effect in the future for the limited chemical influence and the suitability of human immune system. Therefore, the author should provide more information about the salicylates and make a persuasive study on it.

Aside from the flaws mentioned above, the author overlooks that some people may not respond to their study but they have headaches. Even if the study is convincing, the author can not conclude that the headache should decline when the salicylate are used as flavor additives for foods. Because many factors, such as the speed of living and pressure from hard work, can increase the number of headaches. Without ruling out these factors, the author can not make a conclusion so hastily.

In conclusion, the argument is indefensible as it stands. To convince me, the author should provide more clear evidence that salicylate has the same effects to the aspirin and can decline the number of headaches suffered by the average citizen of Mentia. To better evaluate the recommendation, I need more information about whether the declination caused by other factors or not and whether it is neccessary to use it in the food-processing companies as flavor additives for foods.