For the past century, an increase in the number of residential buildin

Question

The following appeared in a research paper written for an introductory economics course:
“For the past century, an increase in the number of residential building permits issued per month in a particular region has been a reliable indicator of coming improvements to that region’s economy. If the monthly number of residential building permits issued rises consistently for a few months, the local unemployment rate almost always falls and economic production increases. This well-established connection reveals an effective method by which a regional government can end a local economic downturn: relax regulations governing all construction so that many more building permits can be issued.”
Discuss how well…..
The author of this research paper is clearly enamored by the possibility of a prospective economic progress as a result of an increase in the number of residential building permits issued in a particular region. Citing the presence of a strong correlation between residential building permits and decrease in unemployment rate, this argument concludes that to attract more builders in this region, regulations governing all construction should be laxed. Stated in this way, the argument fails to consider the key factors of economy that play an important role to generate employment and ensure overall development of an area. Consequently, the line of reasoning applies poor and vague judgement and thus makes an untenable argument.
To begin with, there is no reasonable ground to claim the fact that the number of residential building permits issued in per month in a particular region indicates the ensuing improvements of that area. For a sustainable development of economy, numerous factors such as productivity of industries operating in that area, enforcement power of law and order authorities, stability of political and social atmosphere, education level of residents all play crucial role. In this argument, no information pertaining to the condition of these factors in that region is not presented; a reason that makes the argument more of a wishful thinking rather than a substantive claim.
In addition, observation and common knowledge tell that residential buildings are generally constructed for accommodation purpose, not with the intent of creating employment opportunities, which is generated with the construction of new industrial infrastructures. Though some construction, security or maintenance worker jobs would be generated to build, safeguard and maintain the overall facilities, the number of such opportunities would not be significant enough to make any impact on the economic health of the region. 
In the next place, merely issuing more building permits by relaxing current regulations cannot ensure more builders would find the region in discussion attractive. In selecting a site, builders take into account factors such as the available land for accommodating more constructions, the distance of the region from the economic hub of the district, the quality of social and cultural lives etc. Moreover, sloppy construction standards may produce sub-standard buildings that would harm the safety of the region.
In conclusion, the argument fails to make a case for the claim that relaxing current construction regulations would generate more building permits and enhance employment opportunities and economic well-being of a region. To strengthen the argument, the author needs to demonstrate an effectual role that the number of residential buildings in an area plays on economic improvement. One also needs to know whether flexible construction standards maintain the prevailing quality of a building to better evaluate the argument. Once the author could draw a big picture of economic development by combining all the assumptions mentioned in the argument, the conclusion would be a substantive claim instead of a leap of faith.

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

minustark - Let me be as frank as possible. You would need some help in the AWA section. As written, the passage has several grammar issues, mostly related to the error type: modifiers, and therefore your score in this section will drastically come down. Do you mind following the chineseburned template? Do not worry about providing the "best" strengtheners or weakener; instead, you should focus on good grammar.

Chineseburned AWA template: https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-get-6 ... 64327.html

minustark · Answer

Thank you. I would try my best

Himan2209 · Answer

Hi  Sajjad1994 ,

Please help evaluate my AWA:

The argument claims that increase in the number of residential building permits is a reliable indicator of coming improvements to that region’s economy. It also claims this connection is so established that the government can use it to end economic downturn in any region. Stated in this way the argument manipulates facts and provides a distorted view of the situation. The conclusion of the argument relies on assumptions for which there is no clear evidence. Hence, the argument is weak and has several flaws.

First, the argument readily assumes that the increase in the number of residential building permits issued per month is the sole indicator of the economy. This argument is a stretch as it takes certain assumptions and levels it across the whole population. For example, there can be the case that money is getting concentrated to few people in the region and leading to a situation where rich are getting richer and the poor are getting more poor. Clearly, this argument avoids certain considerations in it. The argument could have been much clearer if it would have clearly stated how it impacted all classes of the population, rather than just who can afford building permits.

Second, the argument claims that the government should relax regulation on construction, and that could lead to more building permits. This argument is weak and has unsupported claims as the argument does not establish a correlation between relaxing regulation and increased building permits. To illustrate, relaxing norms on construction could lead to a situation where construction companies can leverage it and eventually burden customers with their will and this could lead to slow down, rather than upsurge. The argument could have been much more convincing if the relaxing norms could help increase the number of building permits.

Finally, the argument undermines certain populations of the region in consideration while making claims and it assumes relaxing norms would only lead to positive implications and ignoring other factors to be considered. Without considering all the factors and providing evidence to all assumptions, the argument remains more of wishful thinking rather than substantive evidence.

In conclusion, the argument remains weak for the above mentioned reasons and it could have been strengthened better by stating all relevant facts and evidences. Without this information, the argument remains unsubstantiated and open to debate.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

AWA Score: 5 out of 6

Coherence and connectivity: 3.5/5  
This rating corresponds to the flow of ideas and expressions from one paragraph to another. The effective use of connectives and coherence of assertive language in arguing for/against the argument is analyzed. This is deemed as one of the most important parameters.

Paragraph structure and formation: 4/5  
The structure and division of the attempt into appropriate paragraphs are evaluated. To score well on this parameter, it is important to organize the attempt into paragraphs. Preferable to follow the convention of leaving a line blank at the end of each paragraph, to make the software aware of the structure of the essay.

Vocabulary and word expression: 4.5/5  
This parameter rates the submitted essay on the range of relevant vocabulary possessed by the candidate basis the word and expression usage. There are no extra- points for bombastic word usage. Simple is the best form of suave!

Good Luck

For the past century, an increase in the number of residential buildin

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