Critical Analysis Forms

Critical Analysis Forms

Source 1: America the Anxious

Frum, David. "America the Anxious." Newsweek 20 Aug. 2012: 39. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Aug. 2012.

1

Identify the principal issue presented by the source.

The principle issue presented by the source in the article is the recession and its impact on the the overall economic outlook of the country.

2

Identify any examples of bias presented by the author. If none exist, explain how you determined this.

The author is biased in a manner as he has presented the concept of recession in a manner that there is nothing that can be done to correct it. He has explained the current situation of the economy that the future of the country is very dark.

3

Identify any areas that are vague or ambiguous. Explain your reasoning.

The last part of the article is a bit vague. It has presented the fact that the outlook of the country is very dark and blur. According to the article, the Americans are unclear about their future.

4

Do you find the source credible? Explain your reasoning.

The source is credible, as the data and the information presented in the article is reliable as it includes information from official sources; however, the assumptions that the author has made are not good and are vague.

5

Identify and name any rhetorical devices used by the author. Explain your reasoning.

The author has not used any devices clearly; however there are certain reliable sources which he has cited in his article for supporting his idea of the downfall of the American economy.

6

Identify and name any fallacies used by the author. Explain your reasoning.

There aren't any specific fallacies used by the author; however, he has assumed that the medical facilities provided by the government will decline in the few years, just as the rate of education is declining.

7

State one argument made by the author.

Who will look out for the boomers? Big government? Not likely.

8

Identify the premises and conclusion of the argument.

According to the author, the federal and the state government are shrinking thus they will not be able to look out for the boomers. He concluded that the Medicaid and the Medicare plans are not doing well and are unable to provide boomers with the care that they require and even the companies have failed to provide the boomers with the proper retirement benefits.

9

Is the author's argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak? Explain how you ...