AWA ESSAYS: Analyze Argument
ESSAY QUESTION:
The following appeared in a corporate memorandum of a beverage manufacturer:
“Our promotional price reductions on energy drinks have been highly successful, as we have seen a dramatic increase in unit sales. Further, surveys of our consumers indicate that this promotion was favorably received by the majority of our customers. Therefore, to improve our company’s profitability and enhance its perception in the eyes of consumers, similar price reductions should be offered on all drinks produced by our firm.”
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
YOUR RESPONSE:
The argument , that the company has seen a dramatic increase in unit sales by reducing price on energy drinks which has been a success, is okay. But on the other hand, the argument that to improve company's profitability and enhance its perception in the eyes of consumers by reducing the price on all other drinks produced by company omits some important concerns. This alone does not constitute a logical argument in favor of reduction in price of all other drinks would increase their profitability.
The argument not fully satisfy that by reducing the price of all other drinks would cause company a profit and its value in the eyes of its consumers. First, the argument tells that there has been a dramatic increase in the unit sales. This not satisfy fully the argument and thus creates a question whether it would makes the same increase in sales in future. Second, the argument assumes that with the reduction of price on energy drinks , company will make profit by reduction in price of all other drinks produced by company. Company can't make reduction in the price just seeing a temporary increase in sales of energy drinks.
Because the argument leaves several key issues, it is not sound and persuasive. If it included some other certain data regarding the argument discussed instead of expecting profit in other drinks also, the argument would have been more thorough and convincing.
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