Read the argument and the instructions that follow it, and then make any notes that will help you plan your response. Write your response on a separate sheet of paper. If possible, type your essay on a word processor.
The following statement appeared in a consumer magazine:
A fear of crime has led many homeowners to purchase monitored burglar alarm systems, but these people are wasting their money. The primary benefit of any burglar alarm system is one of deterrence, and this effect can be achieved just as well by having a sign in front of the house suggesting that the house is equipped with an alarm, whether or not the alarm system is monitored or even exists. Moreover, if a sign fails to deter burglars from entering a house, there is very little chance that the guards who monitor the alarm system will arrive at the home in time to catch the burglars, since the burglars will surely leave as soon as the alarm sounds. Therefore, while it makes sense to have a sign suggesting that a house has a monitored alarm, and it may make sense to have an audible alarm, there is no reason to pay the high monthly fee for a monitored system.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative examples or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.