Analyze an Argument

　　题库网页链接：

　　https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/argument/pool

　　The following appeared in a memo from the vice president of marketing at Dura-Socks, Inc.

　　"A recent study of Dura-Socks customers suggests that our company is wasting the money it spends on its patented Endure manufacturing process, which ensures that our socks are strong enough to last for two years. We have always advertised our use of the Endure process, but the new study shows that despite the socks' durability, our customers, on average, actually purchase new Dura-Socks every three months. Furthermore, customers surveyed in our largest market — northeastern United States cities — say that they most value Dura-Socks' stylish appearance and availability in many colors. These findings suggest that we can increase our profits by discontinuing use of the Endure manufacturing process."

　　Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

　　【Introduction】

　　第 一句话明确题目的大结论/逻辑终点：It is concluded that the Dura-Socks company can increase their profits by discontinuing use of the Endure manufacturing process. 第二句话套话：However, this conclusion is questionable. 可能有第三、四句话：In other words, if the process were to be discontinued, the company’s profits would not necessarily increase. Some points in the line of reasoning need to be clarified before the company discontinues the process. 注意划线部分，是让内容具体，和题目的紧密性提升，写出来的。

　　【Body】

　　根据出现的顺序来写，是最节省脑力的写法。推荐。

　　Immediately, we may have questions regarding the accuracy or precision of the study or the survey, including their data-collecting or data analysis. One important question, for example, is whether the number or the diversity of customers studied is great enough so that they can represent all customers. Since the argument omits such important information, it is reasonable to cast doubt about/on the credibility of the study result. 【本段讨论的是研究可靠性】

　　Meanwhile, another question is whether the new Dura-socks purchased are the replacements of the used ones, which would be tossed.Sincethis question is unanswered, it is plausible to think that the new socks are purchased as supplements or additions rather than replacements. In this case, durability may remain as a critical factor in customers’ choice of Dura-socks. 【本段讨论的是偷换/混淆概念】

　　At the point of the study result, a further question, whose answer is unclear, is concerning the average time of three months. The average time may be drawn from the use of the socks among a vast variety of customers. In this case, although the majority of users may wear the socks for roughly two years—the maximum durability of the socks, there may also be a small number of customers who wear the socks for far less than the three-month time, for example, one week or two. As a result, the extreme short time among the minority group of users may reduce the average time to three months; thus, the average cannot represent/indicate a general situation. 【本段讨论的是平均值问题】

　　理想说来，我们起码讨论4个逻辑疑点。

　　老章没有写第四点，提示一下大家根据尝试： “Furthermore, customers surveyed in our largest market — northeastern United States cities — say that they most value Dura-Socks’ stylish appearance and availability in many colors.” 这一句中存在【地点范围问题】和【范畴问题】。大家可以根据Argument范文系列里的第54讲(上一讲，老章写到了这两个逻辑疑点类型)来仿写。

　　【conclusion】

　　第 一句话明确题目的大结论有瑕疵：It is a vulnerable conclusion that the daily use of Ichthaid will surely substantially reduce absenteeism in West Meria’s schools and workplaces. 第二句话套话：More evidence is needed in order to make conclusion logically sound.