ANALYZE AN ISSUE:

Instead of taking a position on a controversy, you read someone elses argument and
comment on the flaws and unproven assumptions in that argument
There is only one opinion you can have: the argument is flawed and the conclusion
can no be accepted based on the current information and reasoning
l of these tasks ask you to analyze the argument and look for its assumptions and
flaws; its essential that your essay makes reference to the specific directions you
are given and refers back to those directions
if you are asked to provide some questions that will need to be answered in order
to assess the validity of the argument,
state explicitly in your response that there are some questions that need to be
answeredand then list some of those questions and provide some possible,
theoretical answers that would either strengthen or weaken the argument.

Template Paragraph 1: Introduction (3-4 sentences)

Make sure you have identified the Conclusion, Evidence, and underlying
Assumptions of the argument in your pre-writing phase.
Do not use self-reference, or the words I agree or I disagree anywhere in your essay.
You will absolutely use phrases like the argument and the author.:\. Here are
the main points to hit:
Restate the authors conclusion (his opinion) and identify it specifically as a
conclusion.
Summarize the facts or proposals the author provides that leads him to his
conclusion
and identify them specially as evidence.
The conclusion of this argument, Clearly, our health will continue to decline as
long as we persist in our technological advances, rests weakly on three primary
assumptions.
Second, it requires the tacit belief that the effect of a proper diet on health is
insignificant in comparison to the effects of a sedentary lifestyle
Nonetheless, the validity of the authors argument depends on the idea that
medicine will not advance as rapidly as technology or, at the very least, on the

idea that any advance in medicine will have a relatively insignificant effect on
health, compared to the effects of regular exercise.
Your thesis (final sentence): state unequivocally that the argument is flawed.
For example, your introduction could take a form like this:
Recently, _________. Regarding this issue, the author of the argument concludes
__________. He presents evidence to suggest this is valid including _________.
Though the underlying issue may have merit, because of a lack of relevant evidence,
unaddressed assumptions, and vague terminology, the authors argument is
unsubstantiated and deeply flawed.

Template Paragraph 2: Lack of Evidence to Support an Assumption (4-6 sentences)

Almost every Argument has unsupported assumptions.
Identify a primary assumption and give examples of evidence that, if it were true,
would make the assumption unlikely to be true and therefore weaken the
conclusion.
You are not expected to disprove the conclusion; instead, you want to show that
the author, if he did more research, might find that his conclusion isnt a strong
one.
Template Paragraph 3: Weak Evidence (4-6 sentences)
Identify another assumption or flaw in the authors reasoning and show how more
evidence or better reasoning could undermine the argument.
Template Paragraph 4 (optional): Vague Language (4-6 sentences)
Use a transition phrase again,
then attack the specific terminology the author utilizes in the argument. How
many is many? Who exactly does he mean by most? Here you will be using
the authors own rhetorical construction against him.
This is a time valve paragraphthat is, only write it if you have plenty of time to spare.
Template Paragraph 5: How to Strengthen (2-4 sentences)

Just because there are unsupported assumptions and flaws in the authors argument,
its still possible that the conclusion is defensible. Reinforce the idea that
there might be SOME merit to the authors argument.
Provide some ideas for evidence that, if the author could find it, could make the
assumptions likely to be true and therefore support the conclusion.

Template Paragraph 6 : Conclusion (1-2 sentences)

Although the conclusion is short, it is essential to make sure the reader knows that you
understand that your job was to analyze the argument, not to fix it. Quickly restate
your original thesis, that the argument has too many assumptions and flaws in
reasoning to be acceptable. Point out that the author has more work to do

PhrasesWhile it may be true

This authors argument does not make a cogent case for
This argument is rife with holes and assumptions and thus cannot justify the
authors conclusion
Regarding this issue, the author of the argument concludes
He presents evidence to suggest this is valid including
Though the underlying issue may have merit, because of a lack of relevant evidence,
unaddressed assumptions, and vague terminology, the authors argument is
unsubstantiated and deeply flawed.
Additionally, the author implies
A concrete connection between the resident's lack of river use and the river's current
state is not effectively made
The authors argument is untenable and unfeasible
The author of this proposal to increase the budget for Mason City riverside
recreational facilities offers an interesting argument but to move forward on the
proposal would definitely require more information and thought.

The above argument tries to establish a direct link between

This is, however, not a wisely thought over suggestion
The rationale presented is untenable, inchoate and lacking foolproof evidence to substantiate the claims
its presents

Lack of evidence 2nd para

However, the scope and validity of that survey is barely clear and is rife with
unsubstantiated assumptions
The sample may not have been representative of city residents, asking only those
residents who live upon the river.
The survey may have been 10 pages long, with 2 questions dedicated to river
sports.
We just do not know. Unless the survey is fully representative, valid, and reliable, it
can not be used to effectively back the author's argument.
The thought is that such high regard will translate into usage. But, survey
responses can hardly be used as indicators of actual behavior
Even the wording of the survey results remain ambiguous and vague.
Indeed the survey hardly provides enough information to discern the warrant of .

Additional Lack of evidence 3rd para

While a polluted, smelly river would likely cut down on river sports, a concrete
connection between the resident's lack of river use and the river's current state is
not effectively made.
Though there have been complaints, we do not know if there have been numerous
complaints from a wide range of people, or perhaps from one or two individuals who
made numerous complaints.
Closely linked to the surveys is the bold assumption that a cleaner river will result in
increased usage.
How to Strengthen 4th para
To strengthen his/her argument, the author would benefit from implementing a normed
survey
asking a wide range of residents why they do not currently use the river.

Final Para

Examining all the various angles and factors involved with

, the argument does not justify increasing the budget. While the proposal does highlight
a possibility, more information is required to warrant any action.
The author naively assumes that
the money can simply appear without forethought
on where it will come from.

To strengthen the argument, the author would need to not only address these
three assumptions but also to more firmly establish a link between deteriorating
health and technological advances.