▶ Your Answer :
Citing
the lowered number of listeners, the author here concludes that the WWAC radio
should change their rock-music format to other formats. However, this claim is
based on a series of unproven assumptions and lack of evidence, thus is not
cogent as it stands. To better evaluate the claim, more specific and relevant
evidence should be provided.
To
begin with, one might say that the reason for declined number of listeners is
the WWCA’s current show style - rock-music format. This argument may be true,
especially when considering that the current population is senior citizens in
the area. Common sense tells us that retired residents may not be big fans of
the rock music.
Despite
the notion that senior residents are less likely favor of rock music, the
author does not provide specific evidence about exactly why declined number of
listeners has occurred. He assumed that the rock-music format is the reason,
however, he overlooks other possible reasons. Perhaps the residents’ preference
for media has changed from radio to television. Or perhaps there may have a
poor connectivity between the station and listeners due to poor maintenance. We
just do not know based on the statement. Thus, the writer should provide more
cogent evidence about the assumption about the rock-music format’s attribution.
Additionally,
the author claimed that popularity of music is decreasing by reporting that the
lowered number of recorded music sales in the area has been continuing.
Nonetheless, the less number of music sales does not necessarily mean that the
popularity of music is falling. There are other forms of music sales nowadays.
For example, with the advent of technology and the Internet, people buy music
online by using their iTunes installed on their iPhone or laptop. In this
context, even though the number of local record shop sales decreased, the
popularity of music may be steady, or may be increasing.
Lastly,
in order to address the brought problem, the memo said WWAC radio should launch
more news and talk shows in their program by citing that those types of shows
are increasingly popular in that area. However, this claim needs more plausible
and specific evidence well. The alleged statistics or trend about news and talk
may not apply to their local areas and their listener group. Basically, WWCA
desperately need to know what their current and previous listeners would like
to listen through WWCA. Perhaps the decline just happened due to an unusual
moving out, which could be a temporary phenomenon. And perhaps the remaining listeners
still like the rock-music format. Therefore, more in-depth surveys or data
gathering among the listeners should be scrutinized and provided for better
decision.
In
sum, the claim about changing WWCA’s rock-music format into other forms is not
cogent because it relies on what may amount to scant evidence. Rather, in order
to strengthen the claim, the author must provide following evidence: why
exactly the declined number of listeners happened, whether or not the
popularity of music in the area decreased, and what forms of shows that the
current and previous residents really want to enjoy. Without ruling out these
concerns, the claim may remain unconvincing to decision makers. |