问答题 Task2: Argument Analysis
Directions: In 30 minutes, prepare a critical analysis of an argument expressed in a short paragraph. You may not offer an analysis of any other argument. Write your essay on the lined page that follows.
As you critique the argument, think about the author's underlying assumptions. Ask yourself whether any of them are questionable. Also evaluate any evidence the author brings up. Ask yourself whether it actually supports the author's conclusion.
In your analysis, you may suggest additional kinds of evidence to reinforce the author's argument. You may also suggest methods to refute the argument, or additional data that might be useful to you as you assess the soundness of the argument. You may not, however, present your personal views on the topic. Your job is to analyze the elements of an argument, not to support or contradict that argument.
Faculty members from various institutions will judge your essay, assessing it on the basis of your skill in the following areas:
· Identification and assessment of the argument's main elements
· Organization and articulation of your thoughts
· Use of relevant examples and arguments to support your case
· Handling of the mechanics of standard written English
Topic
The following appeared in a letter to the editor in the journal Health Matters.
Statistics gathered over the past three decades show that the death rate is higher among those who do not have jobs than among those with regular employment. Unemployment, just like heart disease and cancer, is a significant health issue. While many health care advocates promote increased government funding for medical research and public health care, it would be folly to increase government spending if doing so were to affect the nation's economy adversely and ultimately cause a rise in unemployment. A healthy economy means healthy citizens.