Hello, did this in an online timed practice test, any feedback helps!

Topic:

The following is a memorandum from the business manager of a television station:
"Over the past year, our late-night news program has devoted increased time to national news and less time to weather and local news. During this time period, most of the complaints received from viewers were concerned with our station's coverage of weather and local news. In addition, local businesses that used to advertise during our late night new program have just cancelled their advertising contracts with us. Therefore, in order to attract more viewers to the program and to avoid losing any further advertising revenues, we should restore the time devoted to weather and local news to its former level."

Discuss specific evidence needed, and how it will strengthen and or weaken the argument.

Response:

The business manager (hereon referred to as the BM) of the television station argues that by restoring time to weather and local news on the late-night news program will not only increase the amount of viewers, but will also prevent local businesses from cancelling their advertisement contracts. Although the BM may be correct, there is evidence that needs to be collected first to support their decision.

Firstly, the BM states that during the late-night news program, complaints have mostly been in regards to the station's coverage of weather and local news, however the BM is not specific in what exactly the complaints are. Evidence should be gathered to see if the complaints are in regards to the increase in national news, and a decrease in weather and local news. It is possible that the complaints are about the quality of the coverage of weather and local news, or even that there is too much time spent in the late-night news program on local news and weather. It would strengthen the BM's argument to clarify if it is in fact the decreased time towards local news and weather that is the source of complaints for current viewers.

As well, it would be valuable to the BM and television station to assess the demographic of the population who are complaining. If the complaints are coming from older adults who are more interested in seeing local news and weather reports, but the television station aims at programs targeting young adults, then to revert to more time spent on local news and weather may futher decrease the viewers of the late-night news program. Understanding who the targeted demographic is, and if the population who is complaining represents that demopgraphic would serve to strengthen the arugment of the BM.

The BM makes an assumption that by restoring time spent on local news and weather, they will avoid losing advertisement revenue by local businesses continueing their contracts with the television station. Evidence should be collected as to why the businesses are cancelling their contracts, as there may be an external reason, such as an economic downturn in the community, that would better explain their advertisment withdrawal.

In conclusion, the BM may be correct in assuming that reverting time back to local news and weather will restore viewers and prevent further advertisment revenue loss. However, to strengthen their arguemnt they must first gather evidence on what the complaints on the station are about, if the complaints are coming from the targetted demographic, and whether there are other reasons that local businesses are cancelling their advertisement contracts before proceeding with the BM's suggestion.