标题: Argument101 [=galloper=组] BY B18 之 [打印本页] 作者: sally_zhiyi 时间: 2009-7-21 13:21:05 标题: Argument101 [=galloper=组] BY B18 之
本帖最后由 sally_zhiyi 于 2009-7-21 13:22 编辑
题目：Argument 101 The following appeared in a memo from the president of a company that makes breakfast cereals.
"In a recent study, subjects who ate soybeans at least five times per week had significantly lower cholesterol levels than subjects who ate no soy products. By fortifying our Wheat-O cereal with soy protein, we can increase sales by appealing to additional consumers who are concerned about their health. This new version of Wheat-O should increase company profits and, at the same time, improve the health of our customers."
In the memo above, the president draws a conclusion that his company may increase sales by fortifying their Wheat-O cereal with soy protein. The president’s analysis seems reasonable at first glance. However, it contains several facets after a careful examination. I will discuss these facets in tune.
From the outset, according to the president’s statement, a recent study shows that people who eat soybean have lower cholesterol levels than those who eat no soy products. Admittedly, soy products are good for human beings’ health. However, the study should be conducted in a scientific way. Firstly, the study does not show us how many subjects in each group. Many other differences between the two groups of subjects studied may account for their different cholesterol levels. Such as their ages, sexual, physique, the base cholesterol levels, etc. secondly, the study does not establish a causal relationship between eating soybeans frequently and lower cholesterol level. Likely the former subjects ate other kind of medicines to lower the cholesterol levers in the study time.
Granted that the study is effective, the memo indicates that wheat-O with soy protein can increase sales by appealing to additional consumers. In fact, the president’s assumption that soy protein will act the same on cholesterol level as soybean is unwarranted. Soybean not only contains soy protein, but also vitamin and … Only fortify their Wheat-O with soy protein may not work well for the purpose to low down cholesterol levers. In addition, consumers who are concerned about their health may choose other products but Wheat-O with soy protein to keep healthy.
Even though the soy protein in Wheat-O can lower cholesterol level, the president does not analyze the cost of the proposed change, thus the increased profits are not guaranteed. In terms of increasing profits, Wheat-O is not the only product. The company could produce some other characteristic cereal food, for instance maize meal, steamed bread, soybean milk, etc.
Finally, it is a kind deed that the company thinks about their customers’ health in no time. Yet, Soy protein may be beneficial for some people, but the president’s assumption that adding soy protein in Wheat-O will improve the health of most customers is unfounded. Not all customers are facing cholesterol related problems and they won’t care about a breakfast cereal only concentrate on lowering cholesterol levers. Thus, the president should take all of the prospects in to consideration.
To sum up, the memo reveals several facets such as I discussed above. In order to increase company’s profits and improve the health of customers, the president needs to analyze strategies comprehensively. The memo would then have been more logically acceptable.