GRE寫作Argument 范文——作用題

題目：　　
The following appeared in a memorandum from the general manager of KNOW radio station:
　　"KNOW should shift its programming from rock-and-roll music to a continuous news format. There are a number of reasons why: the number of older people in our listening area has increased dramatically, while the total number of our listeners has recently declined, music stores in our area report decreased sales of recorded music and continuous news stations in neighboring cities have been very successful. Furthermore, a survey taken just before the recent election shows that locals are interested in becoming better informed about politics."
范文及解析：　　
       This memo recommends that KNOW radio station shift from rock-and-roll (R&R) music programming to all-news programming based on a number of reasons. As the manager indicates, the total number of KNOW listeners are decreasing in number while the number of older people in KNOW's listening area is increasing. The manager also points out that area sales of music recordings are in decline. Furthermore, the manager cites a recent survey that indicates local residents are interested in becoming better informed about politics. The manager also points out that a radio station in a similar situation shifted their programming and met with great success. While the recommendation seems to be well supported, there are too many unproven assumptions here.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument開頭段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：C – E - F的開頭結(jié)構(gòu)，首句概括原文的C(Conclusion)。接下來的一句話概括了原文為了支持他的結(jié)論所引用的E(Evidence)。最后尾句中給出開頭段到正文段的過渡句，指出原文在邏輯上存在F(Flaw)。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為Argument開頭段，具體功能就在發(fā)起攻擊。首先，概括原文的結(jié)論：manager推薦KNOW電臺把搖滾樂節(jié)目換成新聞節(jié)目。接下來分別列舉了原文為了支持這個結(jié)論引用的四個證據(jù)：一是KNOW的總聽眾數(shù)量減少而老年聽眾數(shù)量增加，二是唱片在此地的銷量下降，三是最近調(diào)查表明當(dāng)?shù)鼐用裣Ｍ麑π侣動懈�多了解，四是同樣的轉(zhuǎn)型在其他電臺取得成功，論據(jù)的歸納用于鋪墊出正文段的具體攻擊。最后點(diǎn)出原文存在邏輯錯誤，引出后面的分析。
　　First, the manager assumes that the decline in the number of KNOW listeners is attributable to the station's current format. It is possible that decline is due to KNOW's specific mix of R&R music, or to transmission problems at the station. Without ruling out these and other possible reasons for the decline in total listener number, the manager should not offer a recommendation for change.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument正文段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：概括第一個邏輯錯誤的錯誤類型和原文犯錯位置，接下來給出合理的理由和他因來反駁原文。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為正文第一段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：因果類錯誤。作者認(rèn)為原文把deline in number of readers的原因歸結(jié)為station’s format，而作者認(rèn)為還可能有其他現(xiàn)象導(dǎo)致聽眾數(shù)量下降。例如KNOW電臺mix of R&R music(搖滾樂搭配)，以及transmission problems(信號問題)。在無法忽略他因前提下結(jié)論是不正確的。
　　Secondly, in his argument, the manager assumes that older people favor all-news programming—this is an unsubstantiated view. Perhaps as KNOW's regular audience ages, it will prefer a mix of R&R and news programming rather than one format or the other. In short, the mere fact that the number of older people in KNOW's listening area is increasing suggests nothing about KNOW's best programming strategy.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument正文段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：概括第二個邏輯錯誤的錯誤類型和原文犯錯位置，接下來給出合理的理由和他因來反駁原文。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為正文第二段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：因果類錯誤(缺乏證據(jù))。作者人為原文中“老年聽眾喜歡收聽新聞節(jié)目”的說法沒有根據(jù)。作者提出了另外的可能性，常規(guī)聽眾可能希望聽mix of R&R and news programming而不是單一節(jié)目。
　　Thirdly, a decrease in local music recording sales is scant evidence that KNOW should eschew music in favor of an all-news format. Although overall music sales are declining, perhaps sales of R&R recordings are actually increasing while sales of all other types of music recordings are decreasing. For that matter, perhaps people who buy music recordings are generally not the same people who listen to music on the radio. Either scenario, if true, would seriously undermine the manager's recommendation.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument正文段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：概括第三個邏輯錯誤的錯誤類型和原文犯錯位置，接下來給出合理的理由和他因來反駁原文。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為正文第三段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：錯誤因果(缺乏證據(jù))。作者認(rèn)為唱片銷量下降并不能說明電臺應(yīng)該把搖滾樂改成新聞。作者提出可能出現(xiàn)的相反情況，唱片銷量總數(shù)下降而搖滾唱片銷量上升，或者買唱片的人和聽電臺的人not the same people。
　　Fourth, it is not sound reasoning to conclude from one survey suggesting that local residents are becoming better informed about politics that they are becoming less interested in listening to R&R music. Neither is it sensible to conclude that they are interested in news at all. After all, news embraces many topics in addition to politics. Besides that fact, there is no reason why people interested in politics cannot also be interested in listening to R&R music. Moreover, a single survey taken just prior to an election is insufficient evidence that the trend in interest would continue.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument正文段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：概括第四個邏輯錯誤的錯誤類型和原文犯錯位置，接下來給出合理的理由和他因來反駁原文。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為正文第四段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：因果類錯誤。文中雖然提到調(diào)查顯示當(dāng)?shù)厝藢φ�治更感興趣，對搖滾興趣減少。而作者認(rèn)為調(diào)查結(jié)果不能說明當(dāng)?shù)厝藢π侣劰?jié)目感興趣。作者提出三個原因：一是新聞節(jié)目不光包括政治，二是沒有說明對新聞感興趣的人為什么不對搖滾感興趣，最后指出一個大選前的survey不能說明interest would continue。
　　Finally, it is unwarranted to infer from the success of all-news stations in nearby areas that KNOW will also succeed by following the same format. Those stations might owe their success to their powerful transmitters, popular newscasters, or other factors. Besides, the very success of these stations suggests that the area's radio listeners might favor those well-established news providers over a fledgling like KNOW would be after the transition.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument正文段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：概括第五個邏輯錯誤的錯誤類型和原文犯錯位置，接下來給出合理的理由和他因來反駁原文。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為正文第五段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：錯誤類比。原文中“其他all-news station的成功”不能推斷KNOW采用相同的策略也會取得成功。首先，作者提出了那些all-news station成功的其他因素，例如：powerful transmitters, popular newscasters等原因。進(jìn)一步，作者又提出當(dāng)?shù)厝丝赡芨�喜歡well-established news provider而不是KNOW這種剛起步的菜鳥。
　　In sum, the manager's evidence accomplishes little toward supporting the argument. So, while a shift may be a good idea, the argument certainly requires substantial work. For example, the manager should provide better evidence, perhaps by way of a reliable survey, that people within KNOW's listening area are becoming more interested in news and less interested in R&R music—or any other kind of music. The manager must also demonstrate that an all-news format would be more popular than a mixed format of music and news, and that a significant number of people would prefer KNOW's all-news programming over that of other stations in the listening area.
　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】
　　本段采用了標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的Argument結(jié)尾段結(jié)構(gòu)，即：C – S的結(jié)尾結(jié)構(gòu)，首先再次重申原文的站不住腳的Conclusion，接下來給出給合理建議Suggestion。
　　【此段功能】
　　本段作為Argument結(jié)尾段，具體功能就總結(jié)歸納+建議措施，首先再次重申manager的建議不合理，接下來給出合理的建議：一是要說明人們對news感興趣而對音樂興趣減少，二是要說明all-news format會比mixed format of music and news要更受歡迎。結(jié)尾段的兩條建議非常規(guī)整的隱射前面的錯誤，前后呼應(yīng)，文章有力結(jié)尾，渾然一體。
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