UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Language and Linguistics Division
Academic Writing II Semester 1 2016-2017
Critical Thinking Case Study, Assignment 1B - 30%. Time: 1hr. 30mins.
Name: ___________________________ Lecturer: ____________________________
ID#: ___________________________ Class day/time: _______________________
SECTION A – 22 marks

Instructions: Read the following scenario and answer ALL the questions which follow.

1. “I think Jason Armstrong should be allowed to run.”

The words permeated the thick silence that had kept the room captive for the last couple
of minutes and now soft rumblings that would soon morph into loud outbursts could be
heard.

“Ruddy, you mad or what! The man has not run in about three months and now you want
him to run in place of a fully fit athlete. Look here, you best think before you talk alright,”
came an angry response that managed to somehow break though the noise.

Ruddy Fletcher immediately knew that Coach Hemmings was the one who had made the
comment. That man was always up for a fight. Ruddy took a deep breath before
attempting to speak.

2. “Quiet please!” he shouted banging his fists on the table. “Anyone here think all this loud
talking and cussing is going to get us anywhere. For heaven sake act like sensible
people.”

“Well help us to ‘act’ like we have sense, because I still can’t see why you want this man
to be allowed to run,” Coach Hemmings pressed his voice heavy with sarcasm.

“Hemmings, you just love unnecessary arguments! We all know Armstrong has a
medical exemption; we gave that to him before national trials because he is a world
ranked athlete. I have been informed that he is training well and over his niggles, so the
only thing left for him to do is prove his fitness to us. What more do you want?”

3. “So wait,” Coach Hemming shot back, barely giving Ruddy time to make his point, “you
don’t realize that the important thing is him proving his fitness. You sure Coach Brown
will agree to a run off or whatever. That man is as cantankerous as they come.”

“Hemmings is right,” responded a short dark-skinned man who sat at the very end of the
large table, “we don’t want a situation where the man is allowed to run on reputation,
while the fit athlete sits. Some coaches have no problem abusing this medical exemption
system. ”

The room once again erupted in loud conversation only this time it was short-lived
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4. “Barnswell, are you accusing the coach of something? Help me out here.”

“Never said that,” Barnswell replied skilfully evading the question. “All I am saying is
that those who are fit and ready should go. We should do like our friends up north, they
don’t do the medical exemption thing, and they have no problems because it is just three
past the post from those who turn up on the day. Our lives would be easier if we did the
same.”

“Those countries can do that because they have many more athletes than we do. We are
small and so have to give our best every chance to compete.” Ruddy Fletcher reasoned.

Collie interjected, “Yes Ruddy once they are fit. But to be fair, if athletes with medical
exemptions take too long to prove fitness then they should be replaced by fit athletes. We
know Jason Armstrong has not proven his fitness up till now. Why are we waiting to
replace him with Kevin Jackson?”

5. “Shut up your mouth, Collie, bout fair, some of you coaches are a set of hypocrites when
your athletes are involved, the exemption is fine but otherwise. You know what, I think
some of you are just jealous of Armstrong’s coach if….”

“Jealous?” Collie retorted angrily before Coach Lane could finish his point. “Don’t come
in here with that foolishness man, we all know you have ties to that camp and Coach
Brown, so easy yourself, you hear.” Collie finished loudly hissing his teeth.

“Vex all you want, but truth is some of you here just don’t like the man, and want to see
him fail. His athletes win more medals for this country than all the other camps together,
while some of you can barely train high school boys, plain jealously."

6. Without hesitation Collie lurched out of his chair and went after Coach Lane, but found
himself being held by three of his colleagues.

“Let go of me, this man need a big thump in his mouth,” Collie barked, trying to fight his
way out of the grasp of the three men. “talking bout jealous! Just because Brown is your
idol, you wouldn’t mind if a bruk foot man go and run, while the fit one play spectator.
Man face the facts and move with that jealous talk. Real poppyshow.”

“Why, you all holding him. Let me show him who is the poppyshow.” Hemmings
shouted as he pointed threateningly in Collie’s direction.

7. “Collie, Hemmings do better than that, please. We are all adults here. How you think this
is going to look if the press get a hold of this story. Look, both of you can excuse
yourselves if you can’t be civil,” Ruddy Fletcher said calmly never taking his eyes off the
two men.

“It is just because I have respect for you as Technical Director Ruddy, but the man pass
his place.” Collie responded, returning reluctantly to his seat. “You think I got my
training in a supermarket?”

“Look gentlemen and lady,” Ruddy Fletcher replied his voice tired. “It was our track and
field association that decided to introduce the medical exemptions. The most we can do
now is to see how best we can make it work.”
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8. “Exactly,” the lone female in the room chimed in. “If Armstrong’s fitness is the problem
then Coach Brown must set up a session where he can prove he is ready to run. If he can
do so then he is in as set out in the terms of the medical exemption. Makes no sense to
question our own policies at this time. We will have ample time to do so after the games
are over.”

“I have asked Coach Brown to arrange this session at the earliest possible time so that we
can make a final decision, one that is fair to all. With regard to the policy, as Pat
suggested, we can revisit after the games. I think we can end here. Have a good
afternoon.” And without uttering another word Ruddy Fletcher headed for the door.

SECTION A - 22 MARKS
ANSWER ALL THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. In one clear sentence, state what is the main issue under discussion in the scenario? [ 2
Marks]

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2. Briefly explain the extent to which Ruddy Fletcher could be referred to as a critical
thinker. [2 Marks]

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3. Based on the information given in the passage, write an inductive argument that could be
used to prove that Jason Armstrong should be allowed to run OR one against him being
allowed to run. [3 Marks]

Premise:____________________________________________________________________

Premise:____________________________________________________________________

Premise:____________________________________________________________________

Conclusion__________________________________________________________________

4. List TWO opinions stated by any character in the scenario. [1 Mark]

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5. Identify and construct the argument that is implicit in the statement Collie makes in
Section 4. [3 Marks]

Type of Argument:

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6. Name a character who makes use of pathos appeal. Comment on the appropriateness of
its use. [2 Marks]

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7. Identify with TWO pieces of evidence the character who displays the greater ethical
appeal in the passage? [3 Marks]

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8. Referring closely to the scenario, what is a possible assumption of the statement Collie
makes in Section 7 - “You think I got my training in a supermarket?”
[2 Marks]

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9. List TWO facts stated by any character in the scenario.[ 1 Mark]

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10. Identify the speaker who uses argument by analogy in the passage and construct the
argument that is presented. [ 3 Marks]

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SECTION B – 8 marks

Examine the image below and answer the following questions:

(a) Clearly state the claim being presented in the image [2 Marks]
(b) Comment on the effectiveness of the image in making the claim in (a) [2 Marks]
(c) Identify the target audience [1 Mark]
(d) State what assumptions are being made about the target audience? [3 Marks]

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