2) Is it reliable?

For our first group assignment, we had to evaluate an editorial. An editorial our group had to do was a political issue. From this assignment, I learned that things that are said in editorials may not be reliable. I have to admit that I actually agreed with the editorial we worked on but this assignment helped me realize that even though an argument seems believable, it was still weak.

First of all, we know that evidence is one of the most important things we need to introduce in our arguments. If an argument lacks evidence, then the argument becomes weaker.

Our group had to write about why Republican's vote against Obama's economic proposals. In this argument, the author reached the conclusion that Republicans are simply voting against Obama because he is a Democrat. One of the author's support for his conclusion was that there was a series of events that coincidentally happened. For example, he explains that Republicans have voted affirmatively to certain economic proposals in the past, then he adds that Obama has those same ideas but Republicans refuse to vote for them. Instead, Republicans are waiting for a Republican president to present those certain proposals. From there, that is when Republicans will vote affirmatively for them.

Personally, I thought because this editorial lacked solid evidence, it was a weak argument. The coincidence was shocking and did persuade me but if you are being realistic, coincidences in most cases do not make strong or valid arguments. It is similar to saying that someone is running therefore, they are in a hurry. It is a coincidence because people usually run when they need to get to their destination in time, but it may also mean the person is trying to get exercise.

This assignment helps you realize that there are other options and occassions that can happen which made the author reach his conclusion. Arguments for his conclusion are not only limited to the arguments he presents. There may be other cases, and maybe they can become potential arguments.

- Pink Bean