analysis of argument 1
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 twenty-fifth birthday, we can expect that our long experience will enable us to minimize costs and thus maximize profits.
answer
the author argues, using facts from the color-film processing industrys downward trend in cost over 24 years, that olympic foods will be able to cut costs and thus maximize profits in the future. the author bases his conclusion on the generalization that organizations learn to reduce costs over time and, since olympic foods has 25 years experience in the food processing industry, its costs should have declined considerably. there are two serious flaws in the argument.
first, the argument uses a faulty analogy between the color-film processing industry and the food processing industry. analogies drawn between the two fields are highly suspect because there are many serious differences. while the film processing industry faces a relatively simply processing challenge, food producers must contend with contamination, transportation and farm production . thus, it is likely much more difficult to wring efficiency improvements in the food industry.
second, the author uses a sweeping generalization. the authors prediction of margin improvements relies on the optimistic assumption that olympic foods 25 years of experience will automatically result in operational efficiencies. the problem with this is that improvements in processes do not occur automatically over time, they require tremendous effort at continuous improvement and they require potential room for improvement. it is possible olympic food has limited room for improvement or lacks the managerial will to improve its operations. thus, there is no guarantee of improved operational efficiency over time.
the authors argument has two seriously flawed assumptions. the author could strengthen his conclusion by providing examples of how the company has learned how to improve its operations over 25 years and implemented those changes.
妈妈的爱英语演讲稿
关于称呼的英语单词
小升初考试的必备知识点
should具体用法
十个常见的英语经典口语
塞姆找朋友
英语语法:一般现在时
木炭燃烧器和富勒
记忆英语单词的四个误区
关于天气的英语单词
取英文名常常出六种问题
如何礼貌拒绝朋友邀请?
强调句中的强调成分
常用的表达怀疑的英语口语
六一儿童节英语演讲稿
关于海鲜的英语单词
英语语法:建议和虚拟
美国人常常用的形容词
英语单词中常出现的城市
儿童节英语演讲稿
关于儿童节的英语演讲稿
关于景点的英语单词
不定式一般式的用法
学好小学英语的十个步骤
关于电脑的英语单词
英语单词记忆方法
湖南85后在读研究生升任副县长
谈论天气的口语
小学需要掌握的like用法
英语中的一语双关
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |