Argument140 [Jet小组]第十二次作业

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Argument140
Words: 504  Time: 1h

The conclusion of this argument is that Professor Thomas should receive a $10,000raise and a promotion to Department Chairperson. To justify this conclusion the arguer points out that Professor Thomas’ classes are among the largest at the university which demonstrates her popularity among students. Also, the arguer points out that the money she has brought to the university in research grants has exceeded her salary in each of the last two years. Moreover, the arguer claims that without such a raise and promotion, it is possible that Professor Thomas will leave Elm City University for another college. This argument depends on several unsubstantiated assumptions and is therefore unpersuasive as it stands.

First of all, the argument relies on what might be a false analogy between the one of the largest classes and the popularity of that class. As the arguer does not provide evidence that the students choose her class because they like her lessons, it is entirely possible that the students are forced to choose her lessons or else they cannot gain the credits they must obtain. In short, without substantiated evidence that the students choose her lesson on their own will, the arguer cannot draw any firm conclusion.

Secondly, the arguer unfairly assume the fact that the money attracted to the university Professor Thomas in research grants exceeded her salary can definitely prove herself to be well worth her annual salary of 50,000. Absent evidence that few professors in the university can do as well as Professor Thomas, I may assume that there are plenty of professors who had made such achievements as Professor Thomas in the past two years or did even better than her. What is more, perhaps she only got the achievements in the past two years and did nothing good to the university during her life before the last two years. Given such possible scenario, the conclusion of this argument is unpersuasive.

Last but not least, the arguer fails to convince me that without giving Professor Thomas a $10,000 raise and a promotion to Department Chairperson, she will certainly leave Elm City University for another college. Such a conclusion depends on the assumption that Professor Thomas is not content with her situation right now, thus ,there exists a possibility that she is now satisfied with her salary and position and she will not leave even if we do not give her such a reward. In sum, it is unfair to claim that the reward for Professor Thomas is actually necessary.

In conclusion, the argument is indefensible as it stands. It would be necessary for the arguer to strengthen it by providing clear evidence to prove that the students choose Professor Thomas' lessons because they like her teaching. The arguer must also assure me that there are few professor who could bring the university such a lot of money as Professor Thomas can do. Besides, the arguer should provide enough evidence to convince me that she is sure to leave if we do not award the prize to her.