GMAT考试写作指导：Argument范文八二

　　8. Based upon a survey among workers that indicates a high level of interest in the

　　topics of corporate restructuring and redesign of benefits programs, the author

　　concludes that workers are not apathetic about management issues. Specifically, it is

　　argued that since 79 percent of the 1200 workers who responded to survey expressed

　　interest in these topics, the notion that workers are apathetic about management issues is

　　incorrect. The reasoning in this argument is problematic in several respects.

　　First, the statistics cited in the editorial may be misleading because the total

　　number of workers employed by the corporation is not specified. For example, if the

　　corporation employs 2000 workers, the fact that 79 percent of the nearly 1200

　　respondents showed interest in these topics provides strong support for the conclusion.

　　On the other hand, if the corporation employs 200,000 workers, the conclusion is much

　　weaker.

　　Another problem with the argument is that the respondents views are not

　　necessarily representative of the views of the work force in general. For example,

　　because the survey has to do with apathy, it makes sense that only less apathetic workers

　　would respond to it, thereby distorting the overall picture of apathy among the work

　　force. Without knowing how the survey was conducted, it is impossible to assess

　　whether or not this is the case.

　　A third problem with the argument is that it makes a hasty generalization about

　　the types of issues workers are interested in. It accords with common sense that workers

　　would be interested in corporate restructuring and redesign of benefits programs, since

　　these issues affect workers very directly. However, it is unfair to assume that workers

　　would be similarly interested in other management issues ones that do not affect them or

　　affect them less directly.

　　In conclusion, this argument is not convincing as it stands. To strengthen it, the

　　author would have to show that the respondents account for a significant and

　　representative portion of all workers. Additionally, the author must provide evidence of

　　workers interest other management topics not just those that affect workers directly.