GRE寫作官方題庫高頻ARGUMENT題目滿分范文分享：reduce operating expenses

　　The following appeared in a memorandum from the owner of Movies Galore, a chain of movie-rental stores:

　　"Because of declining profits, we must reduce operating expenses at Movies Galore's ten movie-rental stores. Raising prices is not a good option, since we are famous for our low prices. Instead, we should reduce our operating hours. Last month our store in downtown Marston reduced its hours by closing at 6:00 p.m. rather than 9:00 p.m. and reduced its overall inventory by no longer stocking any DVD released more than five years ago. Since we have received very few customer complaints about these new policies, we should now adopt them at all other Movies Galore stores as our best strategies for improving profits."

　　Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

　　滿分范文賞析

　　In this memo the owner of Movies Galore Video concludes that in order to boost profits, Movies Galore's stores should cut back on operating hours and stock. To support this conclusion the owner points out that since Movies Galore's downtown Marston store implemented these changes, the desired results were achieved with very few customer complaints. While the plan of action seems to be a sensible one, the owner's argument relies on several unsubstantiated assumptions and needs to be further developed.

　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】

　　本段采用了標準的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：Movie Galore(簡稱MG)應(yīng)該通過減少operating hour和stock來提高利潤。接下來分別列舉了原文為了支持這個結(jié)論引用的證據(jù)：MG的Marston store做出了上述改變獲得和很少的客戶抱怨。論據(jù)的歸納用于鋪墊出正文段的具體攻擊。最后點出原文存在邏輯錯誤，引出后面的分析。

　　In the first place, implicit in the argument is the assumption that no other means of boosting profits is available to Movies Galore. While the owner has explicitly ruled out the option of raising its rental rates, the owner ignores other means: selling videos, renting and selling compact discs, candy, and so on. Without considering alternatives, the owner cannot justifiably conclude that the proposed changes are the best method to boost profit.

　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】

　　本段采用了標準的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2段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：絕對化語氣。原文中暗示“只能通過上述方法來提高profit”的說法過于絕對。進一步，作者提出了其他可以調(diào)高營業(yè)額的方法，例如raising rental rate, selling video以及renting&selling compact disc, candy等進一步反駁原文的絕對化語氣。

　　A second problem with the argument is that it assumes that the proposed changes would actually enhance profits. It is entirely possible that the lost revenue from reducing store hours would outweigh the savings in reduced operating costs. Without a cost-benefit analysis that illustrates the significant numbers, there is no way to tell. Furthermore, perhaps Movies Galore customers are attracted to the stores' wide selection and so reducing the inventory may turn patrons off.

　　【此段結(jié)構(gòu)】

　　本段采用了標準的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3段，攻擊文章犯的主要邏輯錯誤：profit類錯誤。原文“the change會enhance profit”的說法缺乏證據(jù)。進一步，作者提出了其他不會盈利的可能性來駁斥這一觀點，例如lost revenue大于reopating cost，或者上述做法會使顧客流失。作者認為，在缺乏cost-benefit analysis的前提下無法斷定一定會盈利。

　　Two additional problems involve the downtown Marston store. First, the owner implicitly assumes that the store has increased its profits as a result of eliminating evening operating hours and stocking only newer movies. Yet the owner provides no evidence to support this claim. A second problem with Marston is that the owner assumes this store is representative of Movies Galore outlets in general. It is entirely possible that, due to its downtown location, the Marston store attracts clientele with specific habits. Or perhaps downtown Marston lacks competing video stores or movie theaters, whereas Movies Galore's other stores are located in areas with many competitors. Without accounting for such possibilities, the owner cannot support his argument.