Passage 3:

Is vegetarianism really healthier than eating meat? The answer is yes! There have
been several studies outlining the various advantages that being vegetarian has
over eating meat regularly. Furthermore, just ask vegetarians and they will quickly
explain how their diet is superior to that of non-vegetarians. More importantly,
many restaurants and businesses are opening that focus on vegetarian options and
menu items; so clearly, vegetarianism is healthier than eating meat.
Conclusion: Vegetarianism is healthier than eating meat
Reason: 1. There have been several studies outlining the various advantages that
being vegetarian has over eating meat regularly.
2. Vegetarians claim their diet is superior to that of non-vegetarians.
3. Many restaurants and businesses are opening that focus on vegetarian options
and menu items.
Evidence:
1. With the first reason, it is partially correct because there are many studies
reporting that those people have a vegetarian diet will have low risk of being
sick… but in the passage, the author does not indicate any proper studies or
research.
2. We should not depend too much on this reason because vegetarian will
protect their diet because they are the ones eating vegetarian diet. – Appeal
to Authority
3. In this reason, the author did not indicate the statistics about how many
restaurants and businesses are there which focus on vegetarian options on
menu items. –
Until more systematic research data are collected, we should not conclude that
vegetarianism is heathier than eating meat.
GROUP ACTIVITY
Are Botox injections a safe alternative to face lifts? According to an interview with
Dr. N.O. Worries published in Cosmo, there are no dangerous side effects
associated with Botox injections. Dr. Worries performs hundreds of Botox
injections each month, is well established as a physician in New York City, and
has her own private practice. She claims she has never had a serious problem with
any of her injections, and her patients have never reported side effects.
Furthermore, Hollywood's Association for Cosmetic Surgeons officially stated in a
press release that Botox has never been shown to cause any negative effects,
despite what other physicians might argue.
Conclusion: Botox injections are safe.
Reason: A cosmetic surgeon and a state professional organization claim Botox is
safe.
How much should we depend on these appeals to authority? Not much. First, both
authorities are likely to be very biased. They stand to gain financially by making
safety claims. Dr. Worries’s testimony is especially suspect because it is based on
her experiences only. She has probably not sought out evidence of failures. The
claims of the professional organization are as questionable as those of Dr. Worries
because the organization is comprised of cosmetic surgeons, who probably perform
Botox injections. If the organization were to have offered some sort of systematic
research for why Botox is safe, perhaps its claims would be less suspect.