0910G[Splendid Sun] 第4次作业 ISSUE190 By 影子

yangmiyingUID: 2317868

全文等下传，一点一点传。。
I7.The video camera provides such an accurate and convincing record of contemporary life that it has become a more important form of documentation than written records. 【7】

观点：两者都很重要，不存在哪个更重要，两者的使用要相互结合，才实现最好的记录。

1、首先，靠传统的书面记录会受到很大的限制，不能完全准确、客观的记录事情发展的细节，而video能很好地处理这个问题。第一，文字不能让读者真实、形象地了解瞬间事件、空间事件，而只能靠读者对于文字的描述来想象事件的过程。例如，火山喷发、海啸等的壮观程度；旅游区的景点只有通过录像；林肯总统的枪击事件等；只有通过录像手段，才能让人们切真实际地感受到那种触目惊心的情景。video不仅通过图像，还通过声音。
2、第二，撰写人会受到主观原因的影响导致对同一个事件的记录得到完全不同的结果。在这个多样化以及个性化趋向的世界里，人们受到各自环境的影响，会with different backgrond and respectives，这些不同会严重影响他们记录的结果。example，对于同一件事情，悲观的人会将不幸的因素夸大，而乐观的人会将不幸的因素淡化；对于同样一件事情，开放、自由的人会持之褒义态度，而保守、严谨的人会持之贬义态度。等等。。而读者很容易受到记录者态度的影响，从而可能偏离事实真相。但如果是video提供的内容，
能让读者亲眼看到事件。。这些对于普通的事件影响不大，但是如果在法律事件上，就会造成较大的影响，如抢劫、吸毒等，简单的文字不是很有说服性。
3、另一方面，只用video而忽略written也是不行的，尤其在记录具体数据方面。就拿上面那个例子，当要记录火山喷发、地震、海啸所造成的人员伤亡数量，景点离你有多远，video是无法提供的，而靠书面的数字很容易。林肯被袭击这个事件虽然有video，但最终还是通过government document才能最终找到罪犯。在法%



Which is more important form of documentation in the contemporary society, the video camera or the written records? The author claims that the former has played a more significant role than the later. I agree with the author insofar as the video camera can provide a comparatively more accurate and convincing record. Yet, this kind of understanding is not comprehensive when it comes to other considerations such as the documentation of statistical information. Actually, as far as I am concerned, both video camera and written records are important to our daily life. Never should we emphasize one of them while ignoring the other.

To start with, for the purpose of documenting temporal or spacial events, the conventional written record can not provide as accurate and subjective information as the video camera. With sound and moving pictures, video creates a scene which produce great visual impact. For example, by watching
the eruption of volcano, tsunami and hurricane from video, people can feel the exact power of those disasters; by enjoying the video of tourist attractions before travel, people can be informed of more about the unique features of different places; by watching the video of some important days of life, such as the wedding party, people can easily recall the feeling of that special moment. While written record requires imagination to remodeling/recreating/rebuilding
the accurate scene.

Besides, written record is subject to the individual viewpoint of the person who wrote it. In the world of diversification and personalization, people with different perspectives and backgrounds always hold diverse views. Thus, even the written records of the same events may have numerous versions if they are documented by different authors. For instance, an accidental misfortune may be exaggerated by the pessimist, while desalted by the optimist. The bright side of an event will be exaggerated by the recorder who supports it, while the negative side may be ignored deliberately. And these kinds of records bring much impact to readers, provided that the readers completely follow the recorder's thought. The simple written record with subjective factors is less convincing, especially in the legal proceedings--such as those involving robbery, drug trafficking and so forth.

Nevertheless, in certain other occasions, written records are advantageous to and more appropriate than video records, especially when it comes to the quantitative information, or psychological activity. Takingthe disasters mentioned above for example, the video can only provide us information how powerful a tsunami is, but fail to present how many people are injured by this disaster and the exact financial loss. Similarly, the video can not tell one the distance of scenic spots. Moreover, video is uncapable to describe one's thought, which can be easily done by the written record. Furthermore, it is less convenient to carry about a video camera, compared to just a pen and a notepad. And a small breakdown of the camera may invite a severe loss.

In the final analysis, there are still several other aspects relevant to the issue under discussion which, unfortunately, I have to reason that should to large extent justify my conclusion that it is not appropriate to overemphasize the significance of video records, at least in some sense. For other purpose, the written record is also of great importance, and neither side should be overlooked.

yangmiyingUID: 2317868

A217The following appeared in a brochure promoting the purchase of local franchises for a national chain of gyms.

"Now is the time to invest in a Power-Lift Gym franchise so that you can profit from opening one of our gyms in your town. Consider the current trends: Power-Lift Gyms are already popular among customers in 500 locations, and national surveys indicate increasing concern with weight loss and physical fitness. Furthermore, last year's sales of books and magazines on personal health totaled more than $50 million, and purchases of home exercise equipment almost doubled. Investing now in a Power-Lift Gym franchise will guarantee a quick profit."


In this argument, the author advocates the local citizens to invest in a Power-Lift Gym franchise, from which a quick profit will be earned. This recommendation is based on the current popularity of Power-Lift Gyms in 500 locations and that people are increasingly concerned the issue of weight loss and physical fitness. Meanwhile, the author cites national surveys in which statistic show that the purchases of books and magazines related to personal health as well as the home exercise equipment are obviously increased. This argument is unconvincing for several critical fallacies(能不能换个更好的词？).

To start with, the current trends mentioned by the author prove little that citizens in the town are willing to consume on body-building in the gym. First, although Power-Lift Gyms are popular in 500 locations, it does not mean that they will also be popular in the town. A specific survey should be made to observe the local citizen's attitudes to commercial gyms, and then to decide whether it is appropriate to open a gym in the town(这句话感觉怪怪的). Second, the increasing concern with physical fitness indicated by national surveys is insufficient to show that people are willing to take exercise in the gym, it can not rule out the possibility that they prefer to lose weight by adjusting the food habits, or keep fit by taking exercise in the open air. Third, the increase of consumption on exercise equipment and health-related books are vague（是不是用的不准确？） to support the recommendation. It is entirely possible that consumers are using home gyms as a substitute for commercial gyms, since it is more convenient to take exercise at home and they can do sports at any time as they wish. This scenario, if true, would serve to weaken the claim rather than support it.

Furthermore, the author fails to analysis the market conditions of the Power-Lift Gym and other competing gyms, which are quite important considerations before making a large investment. .Even if residents in the town will consume on the gym, would they choose the Power-Lift Gym but not other gyms? How can Power-Lift Gym be a competitive one to guarantee a quick profit? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Power-Lift Gym compared to the competing gyms. In the world full of competitions, a company is difficult to survive unless it utilizes a set of advanced equipments, or adopt a higher technology and management mode than other companies of the same field. Though the Power-Lift Gyms are already popular in 500 locations, there is no evidence showing that all or most of the Power-Lift Gyms are in good operations and have made quick profits. Moreover, in the town, it is possible that there have already been several gyms, which have deep rooted in the local life. The author provides no information about the Power-Lift Gym, the competitors and the supply-and-demand situation, and hence lacks the evidence to support that a new Power-Lift Gym would be a sound investment (有没有怪怪的？).

In conclusion, this argument lacks persuasion because the current trends provided by the author do not lend strong support that gyms will be welcome in the town, since citizens may not like to spend money on physical exercise. What is more, to strengthen the argument, the author would have to provide more evidence concerning the information about the Power-Lift Gym, the comparison with other gyms and the risk the investor may take.  
(每次结尾段总结都很纠结，不知道该怎么写。因为第二段的理由太多了，全搬上去会很长。。。另外，由于我把作者提供的三个理由的反驳都写到第二段去，我就只能写两个大理由了，这样写就只有四段，会不会太少？)

yangmiyingUID: 2317868

76The following appeared as part of an article in a health and beauty magazine.

"A group of volunteers participated in a study of consumer responses to the new Luxess face cream. Every morning for a month, they washed their faces with mild soap and then applied Luxess. At the end of that month, most volunteers reported a marked improvement in the way their skin looked and felt. Thus it appears that Luxess is truly effective in improving the condition of facial skin."


The author of the article advocates that Luxess can effectively improve the condition of facial skin. To support this claim, the author cites a result of study in which most respondents reported a marked advancement of the skin condition after applying Luxess face cream. However, careful scrutiny of this study reveals that it lends little credible support to the claim.

To start with, the author provides no information about the volunteers participated in the study. In order to obtain an all-round and precise result, the participants of the study should be representative, and the conditions of their facial skin should be documented before using Luxess. To be specific, the author should, at least, provide the information about the quantity of participants. It is entirely possible that only a dozen volunteers participated in the study, which can not substantiate that effectiveness of Luxess will be also applicable to most people. Moreover, the author did not mention whether the study involved volunteers of different ages, genders and skin types. Without listing this information, the study can hardly rule out the possibility that all the volunteers are of the same kind of skin type.

Furthermore, the author provides little detailed information about the process of study. It is possible that the participants applied other face creams as well, and that they adopted a healthy diet for skin protection. And it may be the food and other face creams that improved the facial skin condition in stead of Luxess. Besides, it is also possible that using the mild soap during the study would influence the result. What is more, one month is not long enough for testing the effectiveness of a face scream, since some screams of bad quality only work during the first time of using them. As long as the face used to the screams, they will no longer take effect. Either scenario, if true, would serve to weaken the claim rather than support it.

Another problem with the claim involves its reliance on the volunteers' reports. As is known, the simple reports of skin change by the volunteers in themselves prove nothing, due to some factors such as the psychological impact and objective misconception. The author provides neither scientific results of testing the facial skin, nor the subjective comparison of the skin condition before and after using Luxess, thus it is unconvincing to substantiate the effectiveness of Luxess.

In conclusion, the claim is unpersuasive as it stands. To strengthen its claim, the author should provide stronger evidence that the participants of the study involve all kinds of groups, and the records of the skin condition, the diet and the schedule of rest should be documented. Finally, to better evaluate the argument, the reports of the study should be more scientific and convincing.

yangmiyingUID: 2317868

51The following appeared in a medical newsletter.

"Doctors have long suspected that secondary infections may keep some patients from healing quickly after severe muscle strain. This hypothesis has now been proved by preliminary results of a study of two groups of patients. The first group of patients, all being treated for muscle injuries by Dr. Newland, a doctor who specializes in sports medicine, took antibiotics regularly throughout their treatment. Their recuperation time was, on average, 40 percent quicker than typically expected. Patients in the second group, all being treated by Dr. Alton, a general physician, were given sugar pills, although the patients believed they were taking antibiotics. Their average recuperation time was not significantly reduced. Therefore, all patients who are diagnosed with muscle strain would be well advised to take antibiotics as part of their treatment."

In this argument, the author advised all patients with muscle strain to take antibiotics as part of their treatment. This claim is based on the assumption that some patients would not heal quickly after severe muscle strain due to the secondary infections. To support this claim, the author cites a study in which the recuperation time of a group of muscle injured patients taking antibiotics regularly is more significantly reduced than another group taking sugar pills instead. However, careful scrutiny of this hypothesis and study reveals that it lends no credible support to the claim.

One problem with the claim involves its reliance on the assumption that the secondary infections may occur and prevent patients from healing after severe muscle injury. As is known, the secondary infections will not get along with all the muscle strains, and it can be well avoided on an advanced medical condition. Also, there is no evidence to justify that the two groups of patients have got the secondary infections, thus the result of the study fails to prove the hypothesis.

Even if the patients suffer from the secondary infections after muscle strain, the study mentioned in the argument is unconvincing for serveral critical flaws. First of all, there is no information about the two groups of patients. To be specific, the author should, at least, provide the information about the quantity, age and gender of the patients as well as brief descriptions of their injuries. It is entirely possible that the patients taking antibiotics were, on average, much younger or with a stronger body than other patients, thus not surprisingly will they recover in a shorter time. Second, the first group was treated by a sports medicine doctor, while the other one by a general physician, who may have fewer skills and less experience on muscle injury. To make the study more persuasive, the two groups should be treated by one doctor. Third, it is of great possibility that the sugar pills took by the second group of patients may influence the recovery. Without ruling out this possibility, the study can not prove the claim.

Moreover, it is hasty to advise all patients with muscle strain to take antibiotics, which are not always suitable for each person. Patients with light muscle injury do not necessarily take antibiotics at all, since they have little chance to suffer from the secondary infections. Furthermore, it is entirely possible that the antibiotics may cause allergy to certain patients, thus lead to a worse situation. This scenario, if true, would serve to weaken the claim rather than support it.

In conclusion, the argument is unpersuasive as it stands. To strengthen the hypothesis that the secondary infections may keep some patients from healing quickly after muscle strain, the author should provide the evidence that all muscle strain patients will get the secondary infections. The author must also provide more detailed information about the patients participated in the study and change some study condition if necessary. Finally, the antibiotics should be further confirmed that it is suitable for every patient.