Claim: Women should be allowed to join combat units.

Stated Reason: Because the image of women in combat would help eliminate gender stereotypes.

Unstated Assumption: Chicks with guns are sexy as hell.

1. We shouldn't elect Joe as committee chair because he is too bossy
 
Claim: We shouldn't elect Joe as committee chair

Stated Reason: because he is too bossy

Unstated Assumption: bossy people suck
 

2.  Buy this stereo system because it has a powerful amplifier

Claim:  Buy this stereo system

Stated Reason: because it has a powerful amplifier

Unstated Assumption: loud music rocks
 

3. Drugs should not be legalized because legalization would greatly increase the number of drug addicts.

Claim: Drugs should not be legalized

Stated Reason: because legalization would greatly increase the number of drug addicts.

Unstated Assumption: Drugs are Bad, Mmkay? 

4. Practicing the piano is good for kids because it teaches discipline

Claim: Practicing the piano is good for kids

Stated Reason: because it teaches discipline

Unstated Assumption: disciplining children is one of life's little pleasures!!
 

5. Welfare benefits for unwed mothers should be eliminated because doing so will greatly reduce the nation's illegitimacy rate.

Claim: Welfare benefits for unwed mothers should be eliminated

Stated Reason: because doing so will greatly reduce the nation's illegitimacy rate.

Unstated Assumption: nobody likes a moocher.
 

6. Welfare benefits for unwed mothers should not be eliminated because these benefits are needed to prevent unbearable poverty among our nation's most helpless citizens.

Claim: Welfare benefits for unwed mothers should not be eliminated

Stated Reason: because these benefits are needed to prevent unbearable poverty among our nation's most helpless citizens.

Unstated Assumption: folks love to bitch about inner-city welfare moochers
 

7. We should strengthen the Endangered Species Act because doing so will preserve genetic diversity on the planet.

Claim: We should strengthen the Endangered Species Act

Stated Reason: because doing so will preserve genetic diversity on the planet.

Unstated Assumption: genetic diversity rocks
 

8. The Endangered Species Act is to stringent because it severely damages the economy.

Claim: The Endangered Species Act is to stringent

Stated Reason: because it severely damages the economy.

Unstated Assumption: hippies suck
 

9. The doctor should not perform am abortion in this case because the mother's life is not in danger.

Claim: The doctor should not perform am abortion in this case

Stated Reason: because the mother's life is not in danger.

Unstated Assumption: the government likes their females barefoot and pregnant!!
 
 

10. Abortion should be legal because a woman has the right to control her own body.  (This enthymeme has several unstated assumptions behind it; see if you can recreate all the missing premises).

Claim: Abortion should be legal

Stated Reason: because a woman has the right to control her own body.

Unstated Assumption: I wish I could have one.
 

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