Analysis of Argument
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.
教师节关于老师的必备短语
英语学习适合自己的就是最好的
学习方法:初三英语中考的基本复习思路与做法
学习方法:如何正确使用动词时态
学习方法:如何分析“词语释义”题
初中英语 如何复习牛津版英语
初中英语学习方法我来谈
初中英语学习方法及试题分析
提高英语听力方法
每日学一句英语经典口语:勃然大怒
学习方法:提高英语写作能力从句子入手
学习方法 英语学习策略
比Love更动听的英文单词
词形转换题的解题技巧
实用口语:教你用英语说”分手告白“
实用口语:应聘外企常见的英语问答汇总
学习方法:中考交际英语解题思路
口语:关于“缘”的英文表达
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 二度蜜月 ACT 1 - 3
学习方法:中考英语听力测试题的主要内容及注意事项
学习方法:如何学好英语?
地道口语:跟阿甘学地道美语
学习方法:A good way to learn english
专家谈初中英语学习方法
学习英语“最致命”的五个习惯
英语句型学口语 Lesson 56:I prefer..
国际音标发音练习:音标/ɔ/的英语绕口令
实用英语口语:“袜子”习语
学习方法:介绍自己学习英语的方法
英语学习方法:英语写作选词汇
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |