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30 Jul 2019, 03:36
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Argument Task:
The following appeared as a letter to the editor from a Central Plaza store owner.
"Over the past two years, the number of shoppers in Central Plaza has been steadily decreasing while the popularity of skateboarding has increased dramatically. Many Central Plaza store owners believe that the decrease in their business is due to the number of skateboard users in the plaza. There has also been a dramatic increase in the amount of litter and vandalism throughout the plaza. Thus, we recommend that the city prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza. If skateboarding is prohibited here, we predict that business in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels.”
The following argument is flawed for numerous reasons. Primarily, the argument is based on the unwarranted assumption that practicing skateboarding in the commercial area Central Plaza, the number of shoppers makes a dramatic decrease, rendering to its conclusion, that prohibiting skateboarding, the business in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels.
Firstly, the argument fails to provide any justification that due to the increase in popularity of skateboarding the number of shoppers in Central Plaza decreased. For one, the economy of the country or city, where this place is located, maybe in the worst situation as compared to previous years. This important difference could explain the lowering of the number of shoppers. More specifically, the argument states that if skateboarding is prohibited, they predict that the stores in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels. If Central Plaza belongs to a low-quality business type, the assumption that prohibiting skateboarding will imply returning to its previously high levels is out of basis. The argument would have been stronger if provided information about the economy of the city over the last two years and the current one, and the kind of stores and business available in the zone.
Secondly, the argument also leaves many other unanswered questions. Even if they prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza, they are not necessarily likely to return to its previously high levels. Nonetheless, the argument assumes that because over the last two years the number of shoppers decreased while the popularity of skateboarding has increased, removing such activity from that zone will result in the previous levels of shoppers. For example, that city may have built a new super mall full of new stores and businesses, and that would perfectly explain a negative impact on the businesses of Central Plaza. It would be required to make the argument stronger, information about commercial activities of the city during the last two years, to analyze possible new centers or commercial zones established in the city.
Finally, one should understand that not in all cases, the presence of a specific activity or group doesn’t influence the stores near the area. As an example, skateboarding, which is an extreme sport, can imply some unpleasant noise, broken furniture and danger for people who just want to walk and shop.
In conclusion, because the argument makes several unwarranted assumptions, it fails to make a convincing case that prohibiting skateboarding in Central Plaza will return business the previously high levels.
Thank you so much in advance
The following appeared as a letter to the editor from a Central Plaza store owner.
"Over the past two years, the number of shoppers in Central Plaza has been steadily decreasing while the popularity of skateboarding has increased dramatically. Many Central Plaza store owners believe that the decrease in their business is due to the number of skateboard users in the plaza. There has also been a dramatic increase in the amount of litter and vandalism throughout the plaza. Thus, we recommend that the city prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza. If skateboarding is prohibited here, we predict that business in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels.”
The following argument is flawed for numerous reasons. Primarily, the argument is based on the unwarranted assumption that practicing skateboarding in the commercial area Central Plaza, the number of shoppers makes a dramatic decrease, rendering to its conclusion, that prohibiting skateboarding, the business in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels.
Firstly, the argument fails to provide any justification that due to the increase in popularity of skateboarding the number of shoppers in Central Plaza decreased. For one, the economy of the country or city, where this place is located, maybe in the worst situation as compared to previous years. This important difference could explain the lowering of the number of shoppers. More specifically, the argument states that if skateboarding is prohibited, they predict that the stores in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels. If Central Plaza belongs to a low-quality business type, the assumption that prohibiting skateboarding will imply returning to its previously high levels is out of basis. The argument would have been stronger if provided information about the economy of the city over the last two years and the current one, and the kind of stores and business available in the zone.
Secondly, the argument also leaves many other unanswered questions. Even if they prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza, they are not necessarily likely to return to its previously high levels. Nonetheless, the argument assumes that because over the last two years the number of shoppers decreased while the popularity of skateboarding has increased, removing such activity from that zone will result in the previous levels of shoppers. For example, that city may have built a new super mall full of new stores and businesses, and that would perfectly explain a negative impact on the businesses of Central Plaza. It would be required to make the argument stronger, information about commercial activities of the city during the last two years, to analyze possible new centers or commercial zones established in the city.
Finally, one should understand that not in all cases, the presence of a specific activity or group doesn’t influence the stores near the area. As an example, skateboarding, which is an extreme sport, can imply some unpleasant noise, broken furniture and danger for people who just want to walk and shop.
In conclusion, because the argument makes several unwarranted assumptions, it fails to make a convincing case that prohibiting skateboarding in Central Plaza will return business the previously high levels.
Thank you so much in advance
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