Dimitri. Here at Dogpatch community college we get a lot of incoming freshmen who don't know how to write college-level papers, so we need to have a freshman writing course, and we have to require incoming freshmen to take that course.
Maura. Dogpatch community college should not require a freshman writing course. For god's sake, Harvard doesn't require a freshman writing course!
Dimitri. 1. Dogpatch community college has a lot of incoming freshmen who don't know how to write college-level papers.
(2. Inability to write college-level papers can really mess up a student's education.)
C. Dogpatch community college should have a required freshman writing course.
Maura. 1. Harvard University doesn't require a freshman writing course.
(2.
Harvard University should not require a freshman writing course.)
(3. Dogpatch community college is very similar to Harvard University.)
C. Dogpatch community college should not require a freshman writing course.
Dimitri bears the burden of proof because he is arguing for action whereas Maura is merely arguing for inaction.
Both give direct arguments
Evaluation:
Dimitri. Argument Maura. Analogy Argument.
Cites need for course. Conclusion Thingy: Dogpatch community college.
Premise Thingy: Harvard University.
Property: lack of need for freshman writing course.
The aptness of Maura's analogy depends on whether Dogpatch is relevantly similar
to Harvard. Size, age, location and prestige are not necessarily relevant.
However, there is enough variation among colleges that we should be suspicious
of any comparison. Furthermore, Harvard can probably be much more selective
than Dogpatch, and thus can probably rely on its students coming in as accomplished
writers whereas Dogpatch has no such assurance, so
Maura commits false analogy. Since Dimitri gives a concrete
reason for requiring the course, and Maura doesn't address that reason, his
argument is stronger, and we should here conclude that Dogpatch should have
the course.
Clincher:
Maura's argument fails because she fails to consider the potential differences between Dogpatch and Harvard. Community colleges like Dogpatch cannot screen their applicants the way prestigious universities like Harvard can, so if Harvard lacks a freshman writing course, it could easily be because they simply do not accept anyone who is not proficient in college level writing. Dogpatch does not have this option, and so very well could have a large infux of students who need help to reach college-level proficiency in writing.
Use your browser's "back" key to return to your place in the reading.
This Site is Proudly
Hosted By: