Reasons to buy product: It appeals to men, not just random men. Real men, active macho type men. It uses words you want to associate with coffee like stimulation, wealth, vigor, rich, full-bodied goodness, delicious…. These are words that not only appeal to men because it makes a good cup of coffee, but a good life. Wealth, vigor, stimulation… These are all words that are trigger words. Also, if you drink Maxwell House, you’ll be a member of the group, everyone’s buying it so you don’t want to be left out. They use the word friends, not only will the coffee give you vigorous energy, it will give you friends for life. They appeal to the working man, at the end of the day, don’t sit down to relax with anything other than a good old cup of joe. Come with us! Make friends, be a part of the group, and drink Maxwell House. It is a very typical, but good ad. In the poster that accompanies it, there are a bunch of firemen hanging out and one guy is offering coffee to everyone else who is smiling at him. It is a pleasant image that correlates to the pleasant feeling.

Dense Argument:
In this article, Pastor Mike Stine is attempting to argue that (1)we can in no way predict the second coming of Jesus Christ, but it is coming soon and we should be ready. His reasons for this are that there have been many many signs that are in the Bible that show that the end is drawing near. (2)Among these are wars, (3)earthquakes, (4)persecution and death of Christians, (5)Christians turning from their faith because of the persecutions, (6)and the spread of the gospel. (7)He also argues that we must be ready for Christ’s return because we do not “know the hour nor the day.”

(2)+(3)+(4)+(5)+(6) – (7) and (8)

Evaluation: This argument is a linked argument. This is a pretty strong argument for the second coming if you believe in the Bible. The signs mean nothing to someone who does not believe that the Bible is true. For those who do believe, he makes a very convincing argument, and they should indeed be ready for they do not know the hour or the day.

1<Changing marital roles,> 2<the passage of no-fault divorce laws and the greater social acceptability of divorce,> 3<along with what therapists describe as unrealistic ideas about marriage,> 4<poor communication skills and greater narcissism among young adults> 5<have contributed to the increase in early marital breakups.> 6<And along with the emotional scars,> 7<divorce at an early age can have economic effects so devastating, especially for young mothers, that an entire new impoverished subclass has emerged.>

(1)+(2)+(3)+(4) – (5) – (6) and (7)

Evaluation:  The above is compound divergent because it is a combination of linked and serial arguments.  It is also divergent though, because there are two conclusions.  The most important part of an argument is the final conclusion, and since the final conclusion here is divergent, the argument is compound divergent.  It is a strong argument because there is a lot of evidence supporting the double conclusion, but it could be stronger if the conclusion said “might” instead of “can” but “can” is still a strong conclusion cue.

Compound Linked:  \”Divorce at a Young Age: The Troubled 20\’s\”

1<Sex has become another arena for conflict.> 2<”The emphasis on fantastic sex, where bells ring, is so unreal and plays a big part in marital troubles,”> said Norma Cohen, a clinical social worker with the Family Service Association of Nassau County in Hempstead, L.I. 3<”In the past, sex could carry people over difficult periods.> 4<Now it’s old hat, and it just doesn’t sustain the marriage.”>

(2) – (3)+(4) – (1)

Evaluation:  This argument is compound linked because it combines serial arguments and linked arguments.  It leads to the conclusion linked though, so that is why it is compound linked instead of compound serial.  It is moderately strong, a little more on the weak side,  the conclusion cues are a little bold, “has become” instead of “has maybe become.”

Compound Serial: \”The Influence of Schooling on Cohabitation and Marriage\”

1<The various strands of life are intricately interrelated.>  2<Many roles including those of student, spouse, worker, and parent, are contingent on other roles held previously of contiguously.>  3<Marriage is frequently viewed as an adult status that is incompatible with the role of student.>  4<This leads to the expectations that students complete their schooling before taking on the responsibilities of marriage and family.>

(1) – (2) – (3) – (4)

Evaluation:  The above argument is compound serial because it combines a simple argument with a serial one, and the serial argument leads to the conclusion.  It is not very strong because the conclusion cues are too bold.  But the evidence is clear and concise, so it at least has that going for it.

Compound Convergent: \”Divorce at a Young Age: The Troubled 20\’s\”

Indeed, 1<women are the big losers financially in most divorces,> according to Lenore J. Weitzman, an associate professor of sociology at Harvard University and the author of ”The Divorce Revolution.” She found that, 2<on average, women suffer a sharp decline in living standards after divorce, while men’s standard of living actually improves significantly.> 3<Since the burden of child support falls overwhelmingly on divorced mothers> and 4<85 percent of divorced women are not awarded alimony,> 5<”many young women with children are being pushed into welfare or dead-end jobs,”> she said.

(3) and (4) – (2) and (5) – (1)

Evaluation:  The above argument is compound convergent because it combines convergent arguments and simple arguments.  It is pretty strong because it has a significant amount of evidence.  It would be stronger if the conclusion cue said women “can be” the big losers, instead of “are.”

(1)<If there was nothing in the universe to begin with,> (2)<obviously nothing could happen to cause anything to appear.>

(1) – (2)

Evaluation:  This is a simple argument because it has one premise and a conclusion.  But it is weak because it is circular and also it has a bold conclusion.  a better conclusion would be “nothing should happen”.

Serial Argument: \”The Argument Against Universal Heath Care\”

(1)<The Government – can’t do anything efficiently.>  (2)<Every program that our government has taken over dies a slow death.> (3)<They have ruined retirement with social security, and forced more people into poverty through welfare.>

(3) – (2) – (1)

Evaluation:  This is a serial argument because it has an intermediate conclusion.  It is moderately strong because it provides good evidence, but not super strong because it should provide more.

Convergent Argument: \”The Great Global Warmup\”

(1)<Most scientists do not believe human activities threaten to disrupt the earth’s climate.> (2)< More than 17,000 scientists have signed a petition circulated by the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine saying, in part, “there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gasses is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the earth’s atmosphere and disruption of the earth’s climate.”> (3)<Surveys of climatologists show similar skepticism.>

(3) and (2) – (1)

Evaluation:  This is a convergent argument because it offers two premises for one conclusion.  Each premise could stand on its own, and together they make a convincing argument.  The argument is strong, because it says “most” scientists and not “all” scientists, but it might be stronger if it said “some” scientists.

Linked Argument: \”The Great Global Warmup\”

(1)<Efforts to quickly reduce human greenhouse gas emissions would be costly and would not stop Earth’s climate from changing.>  (2)<Reducing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions to 7 percent below the 1990′s levels by the year 2012 — the target set my the Kyoto Protocol — would require higher energy taxes and regulations cause the nations to lose 2.4 million hobs and $300 billion in annual economic output.>  (3)<Average household income nationwide would fall by $2,700, and state tax revenues would decline by $93.1 billion due to less taxable earned income and earned income and sales, and lower property values.>  (4)<Full implementation of the Kyoto Protocol by all participating nations would reduce global temperature in the year 2100 by a mere 0.14 degrees Celsius.>

(2) + (3) + (4) – (1)

Evaluation:  This argument is linked because premises 2 through 4 all go together, and none of them offer much evidence unless linked with the other ones.  It is a strong argument because it has strong evidence, but it would be stronger if it said efforts “might” be costly and not stop the climate change, instead of “would” be costly and stop the climate change.

Divergent Argument:

\”How to Find the Owner of a Phone Number\” 2009,  on-line

Opinion:

“If you’re getting prank calls or if you find a number on you caller identification that you don’t recognize, you probably want to find out who is behind that number.”

“Our exclusive database includes broad coverage of the entire United States – with better results than you’ll find at most other sites.”

Fact:

“Because there is no central database of cell phone numbers, free reverse phone directories cannot return information on those numbers.”

“Plenty of [free reverse phone number directories] are available on the Internet.”

6.  Distinguishing Argument and Inference

A)  Narrative writing and descriptive writing

\”African American Art\” 2009, on-line

“One of the biggest icons of African American art is Kadir Nelson. This accomplished artist started drawing when he was only three years old. His early interest in the creative process grew as he did until he reached adulthood. Now Kadir Nelson is a driving force in the African American art scene today.”

“His list of accomplishments is astounding. This artist has managed to achieve great things at a relatively young age. His work has appeared on advertisements for Coca Cola, in Sports Illustrated magazine as well as in DreamWorks productions. His work can also be found in homes of people who collect African American art.”

B)  Argument with premises or conclusion cues,  Argument without.

\”Piano Books\” 2009, 0n-line

<It is good to be able to play the songs that your friends want to hear.> I mean, <why be an entertainer if you can not entertain?> So, <I make sure to buy piano books covering all of the most popular songs so that I can take requests whenever I happen to be entertaining.>

<If you want to be a real pianist,> <a selection of good piano books is really a necessity.>

C)  Two Inferences, one with premise cues, one without.

\”Lighted Dog Collar\” 2009, on-line

“After that I was convinced that every dog should wear a lighted collar at night because it looks so cool.”

(Facts:  dogs that wear lighted collars at night glow and make cool light patterns that amuse humans.  Inference:  Every dog should wear them)

“Some items that are designed for safety end up being so amusing that it’s easy to forget that it’s a safety item and begin to treat it like a toy.”

(Facts:  Lighted dog collars are designed for safety, so that pets won’t get hit by cars at night or will be easy to see in the dark.  Inference:  The glowy collars look so cool, we forget they’re for safety.)

D)  Explanation as justification, non-justifying explanation.

\”Buying a Digital Camera\” 2009, on-line

“Well, if the truth be told, I’ve actually been thinking about buying a digital camera for a few months now. That’s because I’ve seen the amazing shots that my friends have taken with their cameras, and I want to be able to get the same results. In addition, I’m a bit tired of having to deal with all my film rolls. It’s tough to remember which ones are new, which ones have already been used, and what kind of pictures are on them. I’ve also lost quite a few film rolls while on vacation over the years. I figured I could eliminate these problems by buying a digital camera.”

(This is an explanation as a justification.  She is explaining why she is switching to digital by explaining the good things about digital and the bad things about film.  She is justifying her decision to buy a new digital camera by explaining why it is better.)

“I’m the kind of person that is extremely slow to adopt new technology. It took me forever to adopt email as a regular communication method, and I’m just now getting used to the idea of storing all my memos and notes on a PDA rather than in a paper planner.”

(She is explaining that she is slow to adapt new technology.)

Given:

A)  Michelle likes the Beatles

B)  Jan likes the Grateful Dead

C)  The person with the Kawasaki lives in the townhouse

D)  Greg doesn’t live in the colonial

E)  Vic doesn’t have a Buick

F)  The Nirvana fan lives in the apartment and drives the pickup

G)  Michelle doesn’t live in the rancher or the colonial

H)  The person who likes the Beach Boys drives the Buick

I)  Someone drives a Geo

Proof:

1)  Michelle likes the Beatles     (Given)

2)  Jan Greg, and Vic do not like the Beatles     (1)

3)  Michelle does not like GD, Nirvana, or BB     (1)

4)  Jan likes the GD     (Given)

5)  Jan Greg and Vic do not like the GD     (4)

6)  Jan does not like Nirvana or BB     (4)

7)  Greg does not live in the colonial     (Given)

8 )  Vic doesn’t drive the Buick     (Given)

9)  The person who likes the BB drives the Buick     (Given)

10)  Vic doesn’t like the BB     (8 and 9)

11)  Vic likes Nirvana     (Nirvana is the only choice left)

12)  The Nirvana fan, Vic, lives in the apartment and drives the pick-up     (Given)

13)  Vic doesn’t drive any other car, or live in any other home     (12)

14)  Nobody else drives the pick-up, or lives in the apartment     (12)

15) Michelle doesn’t live in the rancher or the colonial     (Given)

16)  Michelle lives in the townhouse  (12 and 15)

17)  Nobody else lives in the townhouse     (16)

18)  Greg lives in the rancher     (the rancher is the only choice left)

19)  Jan does not live in the rancher     (18)

20)  Jan lives in the colonial     (the colonial is the only choice left)

21)  The person who rides the Kawasaki lives in the townhouse     (Given)

22)  Michelle drives the Kawasaki     (16 and 21)

23)  Nobody else drives the Kawasaki     (22)

24)  Greg likes the BB     (the BB is the only choice left)

25)  The person who likes the BB drives the Buick     (Given)

26)  Greg drives the Buick     (25)

27)  Nobody else drives the Buick     (26)

28)  Jan drives the Geo     (the Geo is the only choice left)

In conclusion:

Michelle likes the Beatles, rides the Kawasaki, and lives in the townhouse

Jan likes the Grateful Dead, rides the Geo, and lives in the colonial

Greg likes the Beach Boys, rides the Buick, and lives in the rancher

Vic likes Nirvana, rides the pick-up, and lives in the apartment

NO SUSPICION OF INCONSISTENCY:

\”How to Train a Dog to Fetch\”

Playing fetch with your dog can be a fun activity provided the dog knows what you are up to. How many dog owners have gone to the park, thrown a Frisbee and expected their dog to scamper pell-mell after it? This would only result in the sweet terrier looking at them with a lost look in its eyes. Most dog owners mistakenly assume that their pet dogsknow how to fetch. While this may be true for some dogs who love chasing after things and bringing them back (well, I did say bringing and not GIVING), there are still others who just do not bother. In fact they seem quite perplexed as to why their owners would want them to do such a thing.

A)  Playing fetch … can be a fun activity provided the dog knows what you’re up to.

B)  Most dog owners mistakenly assume that their pet dogs know how to fetch.

SUSPICION, BUT CONSISTENT:

\”Action Needed: The Case for Recycling\”

The hassle of recycling has many avenues, as with most things that require work on being environmental conscious. The numerous comments that there was not enough man power and recycling centers to handle the out pouring of people eager to “save our environment” was the main hassle. “Save our environment” is a catchy slogan and still used today, but only a limited few totally understand how and why it saves our environment.

A)  There was not enough … recycling centers to handle the out pouring of people eager to “save our environment.”

B)  ”Save our environment” is a catchy slogan and still used today, but very few totally understand how and why it saves the environment.

Suspicion)  There are tons and tons of people who want to save the environment so many recycling centers are overflowing.  And at the same time, no one understands what saving the environment means.  Inconsistent?

Explanation)  People don’t have to fully understand a cause to get involved and passionate about it.  The connotation of recycling is good, and people associate themselves with good things, like recycling.

OH NO!  INCONSISTENT:

\”Do Clothes Make the Man?\”

There is a different atmosphere that a visitor feels instantly in different agencies–or even within some agencies. I confess to having occasionally felt ill at ease walking around the L’Enfant Plaza area of Washington, DC while large groups of very casually dressed people, apparently federal employees from the buildings in the area, stood around smoking and talking loudly while I walked around and through the groups in a suit and carrying a briefcase. When meeting with employees from those same agencies, the people with whom I met were dressed in suits or stylish clothing with no evidence of tank tops or sandals among those occupying the private offices.

A)  I confess to having … felt ill at ease walking around … large groups of very casually dressed people, … federal employees from the buildings in the area.

B)  When meeting with employees from those same agencies, [they] were dressed in suits of stylish clothing.

Implication of A)  The agency promotes, or has a policy of, casual dress.

Implication of B)  The agency promotes, or has a policy of, formal dress.

Inconsistency)  The company cannot both have a casual dress policy and a formal dress policy.  I have adapted the material slightly.

Part B:  Assumptions

\”Child Labor and Sweatshops | Introduction\”

Assumption 1)  Even though steps are being taken to reduce child labor, it is not getting any better.

Explanation)  There are too many countries that employ kids and too many countries other than America that buy things from organizations that employ children for such small steps such as boycotting products made by children to make a difference.

Assumption 2)  The Child Labor Problem cannot be changed.

Explanation)  Even if we try to make laws that get children out of the factories, and we boycott products children work on, either A:  Kids will find new work to support their families because if they do not, they will starve or die, or B:  Children will be picked off the streets by other child labor organizations.

Not really Assumed 1)  The Child Labor problem is getting better.

Explanation)  You would think that one might assume that child labor is less of a problem now that so much is being done about it, according to the article.  But people do not assume that.  When reading the article, we know that the problem is much bigger than stated, so we do not assume the best.

Not really Assumed 2)  Iqbal Masih died for nothing.

Explanation)  You would think that one might assume that Masih died for nothing because he only lived free for two years and in the long run, helped very little with so little time.  That his little life was wasted.  But in reality, no one would assume that.  The little guy got an award for his services and even though it was for such a short time, his voice was heard, and his tragedy still inspires people to act.

Statement A: “Verizon Wireless announced yesterday that it would allow an abortion rights group to send text messages to its supporters on Verizon’s mobile network.”
Statement B: “Last week, Verizon rejected a request from the abortion rights group, Naral Pro-Choice America, for a five digit “short code.”

Contradiction 1 of above two statements: Abortion rights text messages will be allowed, and they have been rejected.
First, the article states that they will accept abortion rights texts. However, a few statements later, it says that they rejected the Naral Pro-Choice America’s request to send messages to subscribers through text.

Statement A: “The decision to not allow text messaging on an important, though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect,” said Jeffery Nelson, a spokesman for Verizon.
Statement B: “The company did not retreat from its position that it is entitled to decide what messages to transmit.”

Contradiction 2 of above two statements: The company states that its policy is incorrect, and that it will not change its policy.

Statement A: “The policy, Mr. Nelson said, had been developed ‘before text messaging protections such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted messages’.”
Statement B: “Text messaging is an increasingly popular tool in American politics and an established one abroad.”

Implication 1 of the above two statements: Text messaging has become much more popular over the past few years.
In statement 1, Mr. Nelson says that there has been more texting protection for unwanted messages. The only reason why you would need more protection would be if texting became more popular, which is what the second statement says.

Statement A: “Some of Verizon’s customers said they were outraged by the company’s initial stance.”
Statement B: “Wyn Hoag, a photographer in California, said he was still mulling whether to cancel his Verizon service.”

Implication 2 of the above two statements: Verizon customers want to cancel their service.

Statement A: ” Verizon is one of the two largest mobile carriers.”
Statement B: “The other leading carriers had accepted Naral’s request for the code.”

Consistency 1 of the above 2 statements: Verizon being a carrier doesn’t affect the validity of other carriers.

Statement A: “But the program requested by Naral would have sent messages only to people who had asked to receive them.”
Statement B: “Nancy Keenan, Naral’s president, expressed satisfaction yesterday.”

Consistency 2 of the above two statements: Nancy Keenan being the president of Naral does not affect the validity of Naral’s claim only to send messages to people who had asked.

“University Construction Plan In Doubt”

Statement A: “Last summer, Arizona’s university system got an approval to use state Lottery money to pay for $1 billion in construction projects over the next three years.”
Statement B: “A year later shovels have yet to hit the dirt, and many projects are delayed because of uncertainty over the state budget.”

Contradiction 1 of the above two statements: Arizons’s budget for contruction projects is $1 billion dollars, and they have uncertainty about the state budget.

Statement A: “We’re keeping them, (SPEED contruction projects) on the back burner with the hope there will be some sort of breakthrough that will allow us to move ahead.”
Statement B: “Not all university construction is at a standstill.”

Contradiction 2 of the above two statements: The construction projects are being delayed, and they are not at a standstill.

Statement A: “Last summer, Arizona’s university system got an approval to use state Lottery money to pay for $1 billion in construction projects over the next three years.”
Statement B: “The program, which would fix up old buildings and provide space for new students, was billed as a way to jump-start the economy and drew praise from influential community leaders.”

Implication 1 of the above two statements: Money will help the economy.
The $1 billion dollars in construction projects will eventually boost the economy because it will provide space for new students and create new jobs.

Statement A: “Senate Bill 1029 would eliminate eliminate the SPEED construction program, except for about $167 million in already-approved projects.”
Statement B: “The SPEED construction program relies on an aggressive expansion of state Lottery revenues.”

Implication 2 of the above two statements: If it wasn’t for the Lottery funds, the SPEED projects would die.

Statement A: “The construction program, called the Stimulus Plan for Economic and Education Development, or SPEED, is intended to generate several thousand jobs and has the backing of business and political leaders.”
Statement B: “Some legislators wanted to preserve Lottery funds in case the state needed to shore up budget deficits.”

Consistency 1 of the above two statements: The political leaders back up the SPEED program, but they also want to preserve Lottery funds, which does not negate the validity of either statement.

Statement A: “Lottery funds are due to start flowing to the universities in fiscal 2010.”
Statement B: “Members of the Arizona Board of Regents, who oversee the universities, remain hopeful.”

Consistency 2 of the above two statements: It is consistent that the members are hopeful of the Lottery funds flowing to the universities in 2010.