Lab Activity 57: Relevant Support

Chapter 12: The Basics of Argument
Lab Activity 57: Relevant Support

Objective
To determine whether the support for a claim is relevant.

Step 2: Indicate which of the following statements is not relevant to the claim presented.

5. Claim: One reason our state revenue is down is that the past legislature abolished parole.

a. The prison population has increased: by 2009, even if prisoners double-bunk, state prisons will still need 11,000 additional cells.

b. In previous years, the state rented out unused cells to alleviate overcrowding in other states.

c. Our state has lost $70 million as a result of the decision to abolish parole.

d. This year three prisoners were exonerated as a result of new DNA testing.

6. Claim: Voters should be willing to raise taxes in order to address some critical mental health needs.

a. "On a good day, our state ranks 47th in mental health," stated Delegate Phil Hamilton at a recent town meeting.

b. In the age 21 or older age bracket, the waiting list for a group home consists of 2,000 people.

c. Virginia does not impose a one cent tax on imported tobacco products.

d. Recently, one desperate elderly woman who is the sole caregiver for her critically ill husband sought the help of Delegate Glenn Oder and was able to get her mentally challenged son bumped up to the short waiting list for a group home; however, this list is currently six years long.

7. Claim: The reality shows are more contrived voyeurism than entertainment.

a. Many of the people selected for the shows are beautiful and handsome, not at all like real people.

b. The shows are scripted, although they are presented as an unfolding of actual events.

c. One of the first reality shows, Survivor, created a national folk hero with Rudy, the former Navy seal.

d. Each episode feeds the audiences' needs for more sensationalism, profanity, and vulgar behavior, which requires the scrutiny of censors.

8. Claim: Television is diminishing our attention span.

a. A flash of light signals our brains to flee, freeze, or fight and since we are in a safe environment, our bodies remain stationary, which prompts the behavior of a couch potato.

b. Most segments of television shows are 12 to 14 minutes with commercial interruptions, and that is about the same length of time students can pay attention during a lecture.

c. According to pediatricians, babies under the age of two should not be allowed to watch television.

d. Babies should not be left in a child carrier for long periods of time since that position will not help develop their peripheral vision.

9. Claim: U.S. children are not getting enough sleep and the consequences are taking a toll on the quality of their lives.

a. Just before going to bed, children are in the habit of watching television in their rooms, which can be too stimulating.

b. One study recently showed that sleep-deprivation in truck drivers mimicked the same symptoms of being legally drunk.

c. Many children have one or more beverages with caffeine before going to bed, which inhibits their ability to fall asleep.

d. Sleep deprivation has been attributed to learning problems and obesity in children.

10. Claim: While it is increasing in the United States, type 2 diabetes can be avoided or prevented if people will make a few lifestyle changes.

a. Reduce the portion size by electing not to "supersize" a meal or by using luncheon-sized plates at dinner.

b. The body mass index table has changed recently, so a person who is 65 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds is now considered overweight.

c. While all food eventually becomes sugar, substituting a sweet potato for a white potato or whole wheat bread for white bread can significantly affect how the body efficiently uses those carbohydrates.

d. Walking briskly 30 minutes a day can help reduce a person's chances of developing diabetes.