“People are likely to accept as a leader only someone who has demonstrated an ability to perform the same tasks that he or she expects others to perform.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Views differ greatly when it comes to the question of whether people are like to accept as a leader only someone who has demonstrated an ability to perform the same tasks that he or she expects others to perform. Different people have different viewpoints; however, from my point of view, I strongly agree with the statement and will present my conspicuous and consequential reasons as follows.
The first plain truth, I am presenting here is that to be a leader, knowing how to lead the subordinates is above all, If the subordinates will not obey the leader’s instruction, there must be something wrong with the leadership of the leader. From my personal experience and observation, a leader who has demonstrated an ability to perform the same tasks that he or she expects others to perform won the most respect from his subordinates.
In addition, behind my opinion that mentioned in the above paragraph lies that a leader accomplished with the ability to perform the tasks, he might also accomplished with the expert knowledge and be familiar to the difficult part of the whole process. While the subordinates encounter difficulties, such leader has the capability to assist the subordinates solving the problems and help them upgrade the problem-shooting ability. Otherwise, if a leader instruct a task which can be done by even himself; furthermore, he could not help his subordinates to solve problems, consequently he won’t win the respect and might be challenged by his followers.
Admittedly, it might be true that with some practical experience, some leaders with strong academic background can lead a team successfully. However, these cases are rare and consequently cannot provide the persuasive force to the opposite opinions. Accordingly, I agree that people are likely to accept as a leader only someone who has demonstrated an ability to perform the same tasks that he or she expects others to perform in most occasions.
In conclusion, due to the above-mentioned reasons, which sometimes correlate to each other to form an organic whole and become more persuasive than any single one of them, we could safely reach the conclusion that people are likely to accept as a leader only someone who has demonstrated an ability to perform the same tasks that he or she expects others to perform.
Monday, December 12, 2005
“Too many people think only about getting results. The key to success, however, is to focus on the specific task at hand and not to worry about results.”
What do you think this piece of advice means, and do you think that it is, on the whole, worth following? Support your views with reasons and/or examples drawn from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Views differ greatly when it come to the question of whether the key to success is to focus on the specific task at hand and not to worry about results. While a fair proportion of people believe that the results are second to none, other people argue that the process is much more instrumental. Of the countless reasons, from my point of view, I side with the latter one and I will present my conspicuous and consequential ones as follows.
The first plain truth, I am presenting here, is that result is not equal to success which is composed of every part of endeavor then result comes out. To take a factory as am example, if products stand for the result, without the operation of machines and sweat of labors, products won’t be manufactured successfully. Result is just the symbol of the success for whole procedure process. But for the painstaking process, result won’t be revealed.
In addition, behind my opinion mentioned above lies the fact that by focusing on the immediate tasks on hand, a worker not only can complete the task successfully, but also can work out a method for improving the system. The method might complete the task more quickly and ensure the quality of the task. For example, when a worker is encouraged to focus on the task on hand, rather than constantly worrying about the end product, he is much more likely to work more efficiently. Furthermore, his expert knowledge of that specific work will often result in inventing a new and improved method of production. This method will, of course, improve the efficiency and profitability of the company.
Admittedly, it may be true that with a successful result, the whole series of working process is meaningless. However, according to the reasons I presented above, I find the advantages of process is far more important than those of result. Accordingly, I believe that we should focus on the specific task at hand and not to worry about results in most occasions.
In conclusion, due to the above-mentioned reasons, which show that the specific work at hand is the foundation of result and the advantage of focusing on the process, we could safely reach to the conclusion that the individual worker is allowed and in fact encouraged to concentrate on his own specific work. This will eventually lead to a better product.
What do you think this piece of advice means, and do you think that it is, on the whole, worth following? Support your views with reasons and/or examples drawn from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Views differ greatly when it come to the question of whether the key to success is to focus on the specific task at hand and not to worry about results. While a fair proportion of people believe that the results are second to none, other people argue that the process is much more instrumental. Of the countless reasons, from my point of view, I side with the latter one and I will present my conspicuous and consequential ones as follows.
The first plain truth, I am presenting here, is that result is not equal to success which is composed of every part of endeavor then result comes out. To take a factory as am example, if products stand for the result, without the operation of machines and sweat of labors, products won’t be manufactured successfully. Result is just the symbol of the success for whole procedure process. But for the painstaking process, result won’t be revealed.
In addition, behind my opinion mentioned above lies the fact that by focusing on the immediate tasks on hand, a worker not only can complete the task successfully, but also can work out a method for improving the system. The method might complete the task more quickly and ensure the quality of the task. For example, when a worker is encouraged to focus on the task on hand, rather than constantly worrying about the end product, he is much more likely to work more efficiently. Furthermore, his expert knowledge of that specific work will often result in inventing a new and improved method of production. This method will, of course, improve the efficiency and profitability of the company.
Admittedly, it may be true that with a successful result, the whole series of working process is meaningless. However, according to the reasons I presented above, I find the advantages of process is far more important than those of result. Accordingly, I believe that we should focus on the specific task at hand and not to worry about results in most occasions.
In conclusion, due to the above-mentioned reasons, which show that the specific work at hand is the foundation of result and the advantage of focusing on the process, we could safely reach to the conclusion that the individual worker is allowed and in fact encouraged to concentrate on his own specific work. This will eventually lead to a better product.
Friday, December 09, 2005
It is known that in recent years, industrial pollution has caused the Earth’s ozone
Allowing an increase in the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. At the same time, scientists have discovered, the population of a species of salamander that lays its eggs in mountain lakes has declined. Since ultraviolet radiation is known to be damaging to delicate tissues and since salamander eggs have no protective shells, it must be the case that the increase in ultraviolet radiation has damaged many salamander eggs and prevented them from hatching. This process will no doubt cause population declines in other species, just as it has in the salamander species. (not a logical result)
The author concludes that since ultraviolet radiation is known to be damaging to delicate tissues and since salamander eggs have no protective shells, it must be the case that the increase in ultraviolet radiation has damaged many salamander eggs and prevented them from hatching. To support his assumption, he refers to the scientists’ discovery that the population of a species of salamander that lays its eggs in mountain lakes has declined; therefore, the process will no doubt cause population declines in other species, just as it has in the salamander species. However, I do not find the argument convincing because some assumptions on which the recommendations rest are highly questionable. Here are some reasons why.
First of all, there are many, many possible reasons for the decline in the population of salamander. The reasons for the decline might have been anything from the weather change, the environmental pollution to the global warming effects. To make his claim more convincing, the author should provide more reliable information proving that the ultraviolet radiation can be linked to the decline in population of salamander.
Furthermore, the argument is based on the author’s own speculation rather than on the result of a study or government-related information. The author notes that the salamander eggs have no protective shells, leaving their delicate tissues vulnerable to the radiation. But perhaps the eggs have no need for protective shells. The author assumes that because the ultraviolet radiation is known to damage the delicate tissues, it must be damaging the eggs. His hypothesis is a good starting point for further investigation, but he goes too far when he states that the radiation must be damaging the eggs. He is trying to pass his speculative theory off as incontrovertible fact.
In conclusion, the author notes some relevant trends, but oversimplified the full range of trends as well as possibilities which account for the declining in population of salamander. To make his argument more convincing, he should provide more persuasive evidence of a study or government-related information proving his conclusion logically reasoned. Evidently, oversimplification is the main problem makes his conclusion unsound.
Allowing an increase in the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. At the same time, scientists have discovered, the population of a species of salamander that lays its eggs in mountain lakes has declined. Since ultraviolet radiation is known to be damaging to delicate tissues and since salamander eggs have no protective shells, it must be the case that the increase in ultraviolet radiation has damaged many salamander eggs and prevented them from hatching. This process will no doubt cause population declines in other species, just as it has in the salamander species. (not a logical result)
The author concludes that since ultraviolet radiation is known to be damaging to delicate tissues and since salamander eggs have no protective shells, it must be the case that the increase in ultraviolet radiation has damaged many salamander eggs and prevented them from hatching. To support his assumption, he refers to the scientists’ discovery that the population of a species of salamander that lays its eggs in mountain lakes has declined; therefore, the process will no doubt cause population declines in other species, just as it has in the salamander species. However, I do not find the argument convincing because some assumptions on which the recommendations rest are highly questionable. Here are some reasons why.
First of all, there are many, many possible reasons for the decline in the population of salamander. The reasons for the decline might have been anything from the weather change, the environmental pollution to the global warming effects. To make his claim more convincing, the author should provide more reliable information proving that the ultraviolet radiation can be linked to the decline in population of salamander.
Furthermore, the argument is based on the author’s own speculation rather than on the result of a study or government-related information. The author notes that the salamander eggs have no protective shells, leaving their delicate tissues vulnerable to the radiation. But perhaps the eggs have no need for protective shells. The author assumes that because the ultraviolet radiation is known to damage the delicate tissues, it must be damaging the eggs. His hypothesis is a good starting point for further investigation, but he goes too far when he states that the radiation must be damaging the eggs. He is trying to pass his speculative theory off as incontrovertible fact.
In conclusion, the author notes some relevant trends, but oversimplified the full range of trends as well as possibilities which account for the declining in population of salamander. To make his argument more convincing, he should provide more persuasive evidence of a study or government-related information proving his conclusion logically reasoned. Evidently, oversimplification is the main problem makes his conclusion unsound.
Several factors indicate that radio station KNOW should shift its programming from rock-and-roll music to a continuous news format. Consider, for example, the number of older people in our listening area has increased dramatically, while the total number of our listeners has recently declined. Also, music stores in our area report decreased sales of recorded music. Finally, continuous news stations in neighboring cities have been very successful, and a survey taken just before the recent election shows that local citizens are interested in becoming better informed about politics.(oversimplification)
In the memo, the general manager of KNOW radio station claims that radio station KNOW should shift its programming from rock-and-roll music to a continuous news format. To support his assumption, he refers to the continuous news stations in neighboring that have been very successful and to a survey taken just before the recent election shows that local citizens are interested in becoming better informed about politics. However, I do not find the argument convincing because some of his assumptions on which the conclusion rests are highly questionable. Here are some reasons why.
First of all, radio stations in different cities might have different kinds of audience. What works for the audience of the radio stations in neighboring cities might not work for the audience of radio station KNOW. For example, in my country, Taiwan, people lived in the country prefer to listening to the music programs while people live in the cities prefer to listening to the politics program. To make the conclusion more convincing, the general manager of radio station KNOW should do some research on the audience of the radio station KNOW so that the plan will meet to the audience’s requirement. Comparing the number of audience between two radio stations in different cities might be irrelevant.
Furthermore, the general manager assumes that because the music stores in his area report decreased sales of recorded music, he concludes that the number of audience of radio station KNOW might decline. His hypothesis provides a good starting for further investigation, but he goes too far when he thought that music stores in his area report decreased sales of recorded music are related to the listeners’ favor. He is trying to pass his speculative theory off as the incontrovertible fact.
In conclusion, the general manager of KNOW radio station notes certain relevant trends, but oversimplified the full range of possibilities account for the success of radio station KNOW. Without the direct correlation between radio station KNOW and these in neighboring cities, the general manager of radio station KNOW might be foolish to implement such a plan. Even if a survey revealed that local citizens are interested in becoming better informed about politics, the general manager should provide a more reliable study proving that the official survey stands for the overall opinions. Evidently, misrepresented statistics and oversimplification make the argument unsound.
The following appeared in a memorandum from the general manager of KNOW radio station.
In the memo, the general manager of KNOW radio station claims that radio station KNOW should shift its programming from rock-and-roll music to a continuous news format. To support his assumption, he refers to the continuous news stations in neighboring that have been very successful and to a survey taken just before the recent election shows that local citizens are interested in becoming better informed about politics. However, I do not find the argument convincing because some of his assumptions on which the conclusion rests are highly questionable. Here are some reasons why.
First of all, radio stations in different cities might have different kinds of audience. What works for the audience of the radio stations in neighboring cities might not work for the audience of radio station KNOW. For example, in my country, Taiwan, people lived in the country prefer to listening to the music programs while people live in the cities prefer to listening to the politics program. To make the conclusion more convincing, the general manager of radio station KNOW should do some research on the audience of the radio station KNOW so that the plan will meet to the audience’s requirement. Comparing the number of audience between two radio stations in different cities might be irrelevant.
Furthermore, the general manager assumes that because the music stores in his area report decreased sales of recorded music, he concludes that the number of audience of radio station KNOW might decline. His hypothesis provides a good starting for further investigation, but he goes too far when he thought that music stores in his area report decreased sales of recorded music are related to the listeners’ favor. He is trying to pass his speculative theory off as the incontrovertible fact.
In conclusion, the general manager of KNOW radio station notes certain relevant trends, but oversimplified the full range of possibilities account for the success of radio station KNOW. Without the direct correlation between radio station KNOW and these in neighboring cities, the general manager of radio station KNOW might be foolish to implement such a plan. Even if a survey revealed that local citizens are interested in becoming better informed about politics, the general manager should provide a more reliable study proving that the official survey stands for the overall opinions. Evidently, misrepresented statistics and oversimplification make the argument unsound.
The following appeared in a memorandum from the general manager of KNOW radio station.
To combat the recently reported dramatic rise in cheating among college and university students, these institutions should adopt honor codes similar to Groveton’s, which calls for students to agree not to cheat in their academic endeavors and to notify a faculty member if they suspect that others have cheated. Groveton’s honor code replaced an ole-fashioned system in which students were closely monitored by teachers and an average of thirty cases of cheating per year were reported. The honor code has proven far more successful: in the first year it was in place, students reported twenty-one cases of cheating; five years later, this figure had dropped to fourteen. Moreover, in a recent survey conducted by the Groveton honor council a majority of students said that they would be less likely to cheat with an honor code in place that without. (insufficient or unrepresentative evidence / hasty generalization)
In this editorial, the author concludes that in order to combat the recently reported dramatic rise in cheating among college and university students, institutions should adopt honor codes similar to Groveton’s. To support this conclusion, the author claims that the honor code has been very successful at Groveton because such a code, under which students agree not to cheat and notify a faculty member if they suspect that others have cheated. However, I do not find the conclusion well reasons as some of the assumptions on which the recommendations rest are highly questionable. Here are the reasons why.
First of all, the main problem with the argument is that the honor system relies entirely on students’ honesty. Undoubtedly, the author naively and optimistically evaluates the honor system. If the students are not honest, the system will not work and the teachers will not know how often students abuse the system. Furthermore, if students are not honest, they will cheat in collaboration with each other and are hardly going to turn others as well as themselves in. Opposite to what the author believes that honor code will decrease the cheating rate in schools, the cheating may be more rampant after implementing the plan.
The additional problem with the argument is that not all institutions are alike. It is incorrect to assume that what work for one institution will necessarily work for another. For example, the recent revelations of widespread cheating and plagiarism at the University of Virginia, a prestigious school has long depended on the honor code system, has exposed the vulnerability of such a system to abuse by dishonest students.
In conclusion, the author notes some relevant trends, but he also oversimplified the full range of the trends as well as possibilities in decreasing the cheating in schools. To fully evaluate his argument, he should cite more strong evidence to support his conclusion. If he could provide more information to back his ideas rather than just cite the Groveton College as evidence, his conclusion will be more persuasive. Evidently, faulty analogy and oversimplification make his argument unsound.
In this editorial, the author concludes that in order to combat the recently reported dramatic rise in cheating among college and university students, institutions should adopt honor codes similar to Groveton’s. To support this conclusion, the author claims that the honor code has been very successful at Groveton because such a code, under which students agree not to cheat and notify a faculty member if they suspect that others have cheated. However, I do not find the conclusion well reasons as some of the assumptions on which the recommendations rest are highly questionable. Here are the reasons why.
First of all, the main problem with the argument is that the honor system relies entirely on students’ honesty. Undoubtedly, the author naively and optimistically evaluates the honor system. If the students are not honest, the system will not work and the teachers will not know how often students abuse the system. Furthermore, if students are not honest, they will cheat in collaboration with each other and are hardly going to turn others as well as themselves in. Opposite to what the author believes that honor code will decrease the cheating rate in schools, the cheating may be more rampant after implementing the plan.
The additional problem with the argument is that not all institutions are alike. It is incorrect to assume that what work for one institution will necessarily work for another. For example, the recent revelations of widespread cheating and plagiarism at the University of Virginia, a prestigious school has long depended on the honor code system, has exposed the vulnerability of such a system to abuse by dishonest students.
In conclusion, the author notes some relevant trends, but he also oversimplified the full range of the trends as well as possibilities in decreasing the cheating in schools. To fully evaluate his argument, he should cite more strong evidence to support his conclusion. If he could provide more information to back his ideas rather than just cite the Groveton College as evidence, his conclusion will be more persuasive. Evidently, faulty analogy and oversimplification make his argument unsound.
At nearby Green Mountain College, which has more business courses and more job counselors than does Mira Vista College, 90 percent of last year’s graduating seniors had job offers from prospective employers. But at Mira Vista College last year, only 70 percent of the seniors who informed the placement office that they would be seeking employment had found full-time jobs within three months after graduation, and only half of these graduates were employed in their major field of study. To help Mira Vista’s graduates find employment, we must offer more courses in business and computer technology and hire additional job counselors to help students with their resumes and interviewing skills. (misinterpreted statistics)
In this memo, the author concludes that Mira Vista College should offer more courses in business and computer technology and hire additional job counselors to help students with their resumes and interviewing skills so that students of Mira Vista College could be employed more after graduation. To support the conclusion, the author refer to Green Mountain College which has more business courses and more job counselors than does Mira Vista College, and where there are 90 percent of last year’s graduating seniors had job offers from prospective employers. However, I do not find the conclusion well reasoned. Here are some reasons.
First of all, Mira Vista College and Green Mountain may be specializing in different fields; different colleges might have different advantages. No matter what kind of field the college specialized, there are inherently some schools favored by most companies. For example, students of the business schools are more welcomed by companies than those majored in music in school because the demand for most companies mainly contributed to the employment rate. Only comparing the rate of employment between Mira Vista College and Green Mountain College might be irrelevant.
In addition, the reasons for the increase in the students’ employed rates could have been anything from a significant motivation of students’ studying, the improved qualities of students’ performance to the general market conditions conductive to the upward employed rates in students’ future development. To make this claim more convincing, the author should provide a reliable study proving that the increased employed rate can be linked to the additional job counselors to help students with their resumes and interviewing skills.
In conclusion, without the direct correlation between the job counselors and the increased employed rate, Green Mountain would be foolish to implement such a plan. Even if job counselors do help increase the employed rate, the author should not compare the employed rate between Mira Vista College and Green Mountain because certain schools majored in certain fields, by nature, will have higher employed rate. Evidently, faulty analogy and oversimplification make the argument unsound.
In this memo, the author concludes that Mira Vista College should offer more courses in business and computer technology and hire additional job counselors to help students with their resumes and interviewing skills so that students of Mira Vista College could be employed more after graduation. To support the conclusion, the author refer to Green Mountain College which has more business courses and more job counselors than does Mira Vista College, and where there are 90 percent of last year’s graduating seniors had job offers from prospective employers. However, I do not find the conclusion well reasoned. Here are some reasons.
First of all, Mira Vista College and Green Mountain may be specializing in different fields; different colleges might have different advantages. No matter what kind of field the college specialized, there are inherently some schools favored by most companies. For example, students of the business schools are more welcomed by companies than those majored in music in school because the demand for most companies mainly contributed to the employment rate. Only comparing the rate of employment between Mira Vista College and Green Mountain College might be irrelevant.
In addition, the reasons for the increase in the students’ employed rates could have been anything from a significant motivation of students’ studying, the improved qualities of students’ performance to the general market conditions conductive to the upward employed rates in students’ future development. To make this claim more convincing, the author should provide a reliable study proving that the increased employed rate can be linked to the additional job counselors to help students with their resumes and interviewing skills.
In conclusion, without the direct correlation between the job counselors and the increased employed rate, Green Mountain would be foolish to implement such a plan. Even if job counselors do help increase the employed rate, the author should not compare the employed rate between Mira Vista College and Green Mountain because certain schools majored in certain fields, by nature, will have higher employed rate. Evidently, faulty analogy and oversimplification make the argument unsound.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The following appeared as part of a campaign to sell advertising time on a local radio station to local businesses.
"The Cumquat Cafe began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.”
The radio station claims that advertising on it can make business more profitable, as evidence by the Cumquat Café which began advertising on the radio last this year and its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. However, I do not find the advertisement well reasoned. Here is why.
First of all, the reasons increased the Cumquat Café’s business could have been anything from a significant upgrading of the Café’s menu, the improved quality of service to the general market conditions conductive to the upward movement in the café’s sales. To make the assumption more convincing, the radio station should provide more reliable evidence proving that the increase in Cumquat Café’s sales can be linked to the effects of the radio advertisement.
Furthermore, the promotional campaign lacks persuasive force because only one Café is mentioned to support its assumption. In order to convince business, the campaign should provide more concrete evidence that business improved profitability by advertising on the radio.
Finally, the campaign notes some relevant trends, but oversimplified the full range of the possibilities which account for the success of the Café’s sales. To fully evaluate the argument, we need to ask the following questions: What is the size of the radio station’s audience? Who usually tunes in to the radio station? What the purchasing power do the radio station’s listeners have? Unless the radio station provides more concrete answers to the above questions, the ability of the radio station to increase the profitability is doubtful.
"The Cumquat Cafe began advertising on our local radio station this year and was delighted to see its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. Their success shows you how you can use radio advertising to make your business more profitable.”
The radio station claims that advertising on it can make business more profitable, as evidence by the Cumquat Café which began advertising on the radio last this year and its business increase by 10 percent over last year’s totals. However, I do not find the advertisement well reasoned. Here is why.
First of all, the reasons increased the Cumquat Café’s business could have been anything from a significant upgrading of the Café’s menu, the improved quality of service to the general market conditions conductive to the upward movement in the café’s sales. To make the assumption more convincing, the radio station should provide more reliable evidence proving that the increase in Cumquat Café’s sales can be linked to the effects of the radio advertisement.
Furthermore, the promotional campaign lacks persuasive force because only one Café is mentioned to support its assumption. In order to convince business, the campaign should provide more concrete evidence that business improved profitability by advertising on the radio.
Finally, the campaign notes some relevant trends, but oversimplified the full range of the possibilities which account for the success of the Café’s sales. To fully evaluate the argument, we need to ask the following questions: What is the size of the radio station’s audience? Who usually tunes in to the radio station? What the purchasing power do the radio station’s listeners have? Unless the radio station provides more concrete answers to the above questions, the ability of the radio station to increase the profitability is doubtful.
During the past year, Alta Manufacturing had thirty percent more on-the-job accidents than nearby Panoply Industries, where the work shifts are one hour shorter than ours. Experts believe that a significant contributing factor in many on-the-job accidents is fatigue and sleep deprivation among workers. Therefore, to reduce the number of on-the-job accidents at Alta and thereby increase productivity, we should shorten each of our three work shifts by one hour so that our employees will get adequate amounts of sleep.
In this memo, the vice president of Alta Manufacturing concludes that the company should shorten each of its work shifts by one hour so that its employees will get more sleep. He feels that the new schedule will reduce the number of on-the-job accidents at Alta’s plant. To support his conclusion, he refers to Panoply Industries where the work shifts are one hour shorter than the Alta’s and where there were thirty percent fewer on-the-job accidents. However, I do not find it logically convincing because some of the assumptions on which its recommendation rests are highly questionable. Here are some reasons why.
First of all, Alta and Panoply might be manufacturing in different industries. Different industries have different industry-specific risks. No matter how long or short the work shifts are, some jobs are inherently more dangerous. For example, workers work at a meat-packing plant have a higher risk of injury than those who arrange silk flowers because electric saws and sharp knives contribute to higher industry-specific risks. Comparing the rate of accidents at Alta with that of Panoply Industry may be irrelevant.
In addition, the vice president assumes that worker fatigue is a problem, but he provides no evidence to support his assumption. Furthermore, management cannot control how workers use their extra hour for free time, while management wants the workers to sleep an extra hour. Workers might use the extra hour to drink, to play mahjang or even to take a part-time job.
In conclusion, without the correlation between extra sleep and worker safety, it is foolish to implement such a plan. Even if extra sleep does decrease the work-related accidents, the vice president cannot compare the accident rates between two different industries because certain industries, by nature, will have higher industry-specific risks. Evidently, the faulty analogy and oversimplification make the argument unsound.
In this memo, the vice president of Alta Manufacturing concludes that the company should shorten each of its work shifts by one hour so that its employees will get more sleep. He feels that the new schedule will reduce the number of on-the-job accidents at Alta’s plant. To support his conclusion, he refers to Panoply Industries where the work shifts are one hour shorter than the Alta’s and where there were thirty percent fewer on-the-job accidents. However, I do not find it logically convincing because some of the assumptions on which its recommendation rests are highly questionable. Here are some reasons why.
First of all, Alta and Panoply might be manufacturing in different industries. Different industries have different industry-specific risks. No matter how long or short the work shifts are, some jobs are inherently more dangerous. For example, workers work at a meat-packing plant have a higher risk of injury than those who arrange silk flowers because electric saws and sharp knives contribute to higher industry-specific risks. Comparing the rate of accidents at Alta with that of Panoply Industry may be irrelevant.
In addition, the vice president assumes that worker fatigue is a problem, but he provides no evidence to support his assumption. Furthermore, management cannot control how workers use their extra hour for free time, while management wants the workers to sleep an extra hour. Workers might use the extra hour to drink, to play mahjang or even to take a part-time job.
In conclusion, without the correlation between extra sleep and worker safety, it is foolish to implement such a plan. Even if extra sleep does decrease the work-related accidents, the vice president cannot compare the accident rates between two different industries because certain industries, by nature, will have higher industry-specific risks. Evidently, the faulty analogy and oversimplification make the argument unsound.
Monday, October 24, 2005
PURDUE OWL
1) Name of the exercise - QUIZ MODULES
A)Accept or Except Practice
B)Comma vs. Semicolon in Compound Sentences: Exercise
C)Sentence Fragments: Exercise 1
2) How you did on the exercise
A)Choose one topic I am interested in
B)Fill my answer in the blank column
C)Review the wrong answers and figure out my weakness
D)However, there is some problem with the Practice Exercise. After completing my answers, I tried to check my answers. The following messege appeared:' We're sorry, this quiz module is no longer functional. The OWL Staff is aware of this problem, and is working on a new solution, which will be available sometime in 2006 as part of the new OWL site at owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. For those curious as to the problem: our old quiz modules posed security problems to the OWL server, and had to be shut down. We apologize for any inconvenience."
3) Would you suggest it to other learners at your level?
Of course I would suggest the PURDUE OWL to other learners because the PURDUE OWL full of all kinds of writing materials. Furtheremore, it helps to solve alomst all the writing questions I have. PURDUE OWL is really helpful~
4) Overall comments about the exercise and the OWL...
The practice added some funny elements into our study. Those practices really increase the studying motivation and students will really benefit fron those practical examples.
1) Name of the exercise - QUIZ MODULES
A)Accept or Except Practice
B)Comma vs. Semicolon in Compound Sentences: Exercise
C)Sentence Fragments: Exercise 1
2) How you did on the exercise
A)Choose one topic I am interested in
B)Fill my answer in the blank column
C)Review the wrong answers and figure out my weakness
D)However, there is some problem with the Practice Exercise. After completing my answers, I tried to check my answers. The following messege appeared:' We're sorry, this quiz module is no longer functional. The OWL Staff is aware of this problem, and is working on a new solution, which will be available sometime in 2006 as part of the new OWL site at owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. For those curious as to the problem: our old quiz modules posed security problems to the OWL server, and had to be shut down. We apologize for any inconvenience."
3) Would you suggest it to other learners at your level?
Of course I would suggest the PURDUE OWL to other learners because the PURDUE OWL full of all kinds of writing materials. Furtheremore, it helps to solve alomst all the writing questions I have. PURDUE OWL is really helpful~
4) Overall comments about the exercise and the OWL...
The practice added some funny elements into our study. Those practices really increase the studying motivation and students will really benefit fron those practical examples.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
A company is announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.
Nowadays, some may hold the opinion that it is good for a company to build a large factory near your community. But others have a negative attitude. As far as I am concerned, I oppose to build a factory near my community. My arguments for this point are listed as follows.
The main reason for my position is that factories might cause not only air pollution but also noise pollution. A good example may be found in the case that in the industrial part, thousands of cars gather in the area every day; thus, the smoke emitted by the cars caused the severe air pollution. Furthermore, the noise resulted from the operation of factories also affects the living quality of the residents. Therefore, it is obvious that building a factory near my community is not a wise decision.
Another reason why I opposed to build a factory near my community is that if a factory build in my community, it will cause the traffic jam every day. The more cars we have in our community, the more danger we have in our daily life. For living a better life, I strongly opposed to have a factory near my community.
Moreover, the waste water is also a serous problem need to be handled with care. It is inevitable for a factory to discharge the waster water; however, the facility to solve the problem related to the waste water cost a lot; thus, whether the factory near my community settle the waste water problem well will influence the environmental quality of my community. Thus, I believe that lest the factory provides the concrete plan to solve the problem, residents should not agree to build a factory near our community.
In sum, there is no denying that building a factory will boost the prosperity near my community. However, if the problems accompanying with the factory existence such as the air pollution, the noise pollution, the traffic safety and the waste water can not be solved properly, we will have the prosperity at the cost of our health and living security. Therefore, I disagree to build a factory near my community.
Nowadays, some may hold the opinion that it is good for a company to build a large factory near your community. But others have a negative attitude. As far as I am concerned, I oppose to build a factory near my community. My arguments for this point are listed as follows.
The main reason for my position is that factories might cause not only air pollution but also noise pollution. A good example may be found in the case that in the industrial part, thousands of cars gather in the area every day; thus, the smoke emitted by the cars caused the severe air pollution. Furthermore, the noise resulted from the operation of factories also affects the living quality of the residents. Therefore, it is obvious that building a factory near my community is not a wise decision.
Another reason why I opposed to build a factory near my community is that if a factory build in my community, it will cause the traffic jam every day. The more cars we have in our community, the more danger we have in our daily life. For living a better life, I strongly opposed to have a factory near my community.
Moreover, the waste water is also a serous problem need to be handled with care. It is inevitable for a factory to discharge the waster water; however, the facility to solve the problem related to the waste water cost a lot; thus, whether the factory near my community settle the waste water problem well will influence the environmental quality of my community. Thus, I believe that lest the factory provides the concrete plan to solve the problem, residents should not agree to build a factory near our community.
In sum, there is no denying that building a factory will boost the prosperity near my community. However, if the problems accompanying with the factory existence such as the air pollution, the noise pollution, the traffic safety and the waste water can not be solved properly, we will have the prosperity at the cost of our health and living security. Therefore, I disagree to build a factory near my community.
Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons or examples to support your answer.
From my point of view, food is to people what oil is to cars. Therefore, if food has become easier to prepare in daily life, people will live a better life for sure. Just like the car with better-qualified oil will maximize its ability. The following two viewpoints are the advantages contributed by the easily-prepared food and how easily-prepared food improve people live.
First of all, an old English proverb goes, "Time is money." Food is second to none in our daily life. Without food, people will do everything withoug energy. If people have to spend a lot of time preparing food, this will waste much time for people to do something more important and helpful. For example, thanks to the special breakfast culture in Taiwan, people can find breakfast stores everywhere and the convenient stores are also easy to find as well. Thus, people save great time not to prepare breakfast and have more time to concentrate on studies or works. If people are in rush, they also can go into the convenient stores to get themselves some fast food in couples of minutes. This also help people without enought time to look for food find the shortcut to solve the pain from starving.
In addition to the first advantage, time saving, mentioned in the first paragraph, the second advantage of easily-prepared food is to improve the life quality. With the development of food, more and more food is on the shelf for people to make a choice. For instance, the fast food, microwave food, instand food ,and so on. The more choices people have the more pleasure people have while they are in the meal time every day. People will not suffer from the rutine and unchangable food and they have more chance to decide what to eat and how to eat. The above will make people live happier and upgrade the live quality afterall.
In conclusion, since food has become easy to prepare, people will concentrate on some thing more important rather than waste too much time preparing food; furthermore,people could have more choices for food so that people will live a more splendid life. Thus, the easily-prepared food really improve the way people live.
From my point of view, food is to people what oil is to cars. Therefore, if food has become easier to prepare in daily life, people will live a better life for sure. Just like the car with better-qualified oil will maximize its ability. The following two viewpoints are the advantages contributed by the easily-prepared food and how easily-prepared food improve people live.
First of all, an old English proverb goes, "Time is money." Food is second to none in our daily life. Without food, people will do everything withoug energy. If people have to spend a lot of time preparing food, this will waste much time for people to do something more important and helpful. For example, thanks to the special breakfast culture in Taiwan, people can find breakfast stores everywhere and the convenient stores are also easy to find as well. Thus, people save great time not to prepare breakfast and have more time to concentrate on studies or works. If people are in rush, they also can go into the convenient stores to get themselves some fast food in couples of minutes. This also help people without enought time to look for food find the shortcut to solve the pain from starving.
In addition to the first advantage, time saving, mentioned in the first paragraph, the second advantage of easily-prepared food is to improve the life quality. With the development of food, more and more food is on the shelf for people to make a choice. For instance, the fast food, microwave food, instand food ,and so on. The more choices people have the more pleasure people have while they are in the meal time every day. People will not suffer from the rutine and unchangable food and they have more chance to decide what to eat and how to eat. The above will make people live happier and upgrade the live quality afterall.
In conclusion, since food has become easy to prepare, people will concentrate on some thing more important rather than waste too much time preparing food; furthermore,people could have more choices for food so that people will live a more splendid life. Thus, the easily-prepared food really improve the way people live.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons or examples to support your answer.
From my point of view, I totally agree that parents are the best teachers. Before children enter school or children attend school already, Parents are kind of the best teachers. Here are my reasons.
First of all, from the moment everyone came to the world, parents are those who cherish their children most and provide their children ther unselfish love. Almost most part of one’s character is cultivated in the childhood, the period parents cast the most influence on children. Thus, the ability to absorb knowledge before children attending school most account on parents.
In addition to the concept mentioned in the first paragraph, even children are old enough to go to school, parents still play the very important roles as teachers. The school teachers only help children part of the school study, the positive development of children’s personality and the mental support are most based on partents efforts. Furthermore, in school teachers have to handle tens of students at the same time; how to maintain a good learing environment for each student is also important. Parents thus can play the roles of teachers to complement the shortage.
In conlusion, although parents are not the real teachers like those we generally regarded as teachers, the roles parents play are no less important than the school teacher do. Parents not only teach children the knowledge from books, but also provide their care in children’s daily life. Thus, I think parents are the best teachers for children.
From my point of view, I totally agree that parents are the best teachers. Before children enter school or children attend school already, Parents are kind of the best teachers. Here are my reasons.
First of all, from the moment everyone came to the world, parents are those who cherish their children most and provide their children ther unselfish love. Almost most part of one’s character is cultivated in the childhood, the period parents cast the most influence on children. Thus, the ability to absorb knowledge before children attending school most account on parents.
In addition to the concept mentioned in the first paragraph, even children are old enough to go to school, parents still play the very important roles as teachers. The school teachers only help children part of the school study, the positive development of children’s personality and the mental support are most based on partents efforts. Furthermore, in school teachers have to handle tens of students at the same time; how to maintain a good learing environment for each student is also important. Parents thus can play the roles of teachers to complement the shortage.
In conlusion, although parents are not the real teachers like those we generally regarded as teachers, the roles parents play are no less important than the school teacher do. Parents not only teach children the knowledge from books, but also provide their care in children’s daily life. Thus, I think parents are the best teachers for children.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
