Examine reasons without forcing certainty
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Whether the laundry should open an hour earlier remained debatable because residents had reasonable concerns on both sides. The proposed earlier shift had a clear justification: several residents needed access before leaving for work. One speaker nevertheless used a fallacy, arguing that the plan must be best simply because its supporter had lived in the building longest. Length of residence might supply useful experience, but it could not replace reasons connecting the opening time to the needs under discussion.
The chair left the starting time debatable while the group gathered more information about likely use and nearby activities. A stronger justification would explain how the extra hour addressed a real need while accounting for its effects on others. To avoid repeating the fallacy, members assessed the proposal's reasons rather than ranking speakers by seniority. They could respect an experienced resident and still ask whether the particular conclusion followed from the information offered in support of it.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.