What do you think of my AWA essay: Many thanks in advance
The following appeared as part of an annual report sent to stockholders by Olympic Foods, a processor of frozen
foods:
“Over time, the costs of processing go down because as organizations learn how to do things better, they become
more efficient. In color film processing, for example, the cost of a 3-by-5-inch print fell from 50 cents for five-day
service in 1970 to 20 cents for one-day service in 1984. The same principle applies to the processing of food. And
since Olympic Foods will soon celebrate its 25th birthday, we can expect that our long experience will enable us to
minimize costs and thus maximize profits.”
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc."The argument above states that companies increase in efficiency through time because they learn how to do things better. However, the argument relies on several unsupported assumptions and therefore fails to be persuasive.
First, the author assumes that efficiency will necessarily go up through time but fails to take into account the problem of scarcity. Even if employees or machines will produce things faster and cheaper, an increase in the price of raw material will obviously increase the cost of production. Indeed, through time lands quality tend to deteriorate and will decrease in return even if the machinery is more efficient. If machinery efficiency does not overcome the loss imply by the deteriorated land, profit will fall.
In addition, the author also fail to take into account the economic situation of the country and the demand for the product. If the demand for a product is poor, a decrease in price will not necessarily increase profit. Moreover, an inflation in the price of raw materials might increase the cost of production. An inflation in the price of ink, for instance, might increase the cost of color film processing even though employees are more qualify to produce it.
Finally, the author compares ink industry with agriculture without supplying clear evidence. Both sector work in two clear different way and can't be associated like this.
To make this argument more persuasive, the author needs to present specific evidence to support the argument's assumption. For instance details regarding the economic situation of the country, the demand for the product and the availability of raw materials. Without such changes the conclusion of the argument remains unconvincing. "