Summary Steps:
- First, find the conclusion and evidence, this will make it easier to find the argument
- Arguments are dependent on evidence to draw conclusions
- Identify the argument and generalize it
- Use the supporting evidence to help, examples should be proving a more generalized take-home message
- Prove your principle
- What is it trying to argue? If you can prove what the principle is arguing, it is likely a good principle
The principle given in the text is along the lines of ‘people who have power should use it for the good in order to set an example for others’. We can extrapolate this because the author says that because celebrities have such a powerful outreach, they should bring more attention to the charitable things they do in order to encourage others.
A People should value their superiors’ opinions on all matters because they have been successful in one or more fields.
The passage is more about actions, not ideology. This answer choice is talking about respecting the opinions of those higher than you but it does not talk about the outcome of this. It is easy to talk/preach, but harder to act, so there is a big distinction between this answer and the actual principle. Therefore A is incorrect.
B If your boss does not commit any virtuous acts then neither should you.
This is related to the principle but touches on the negative side, so I would say that this is not the best option. It follows the general ‘lead by example’ format by saying that how you act is how your followers will act as well, however, this is the opposite scenario. We want positive actions, not negative ones. Therefore B is incorrect.
C If you can help someone else by donating your disposable time and money, it will help
improve society.
This is only half the scenario in the passage. This is the result. This cannot be the principle because it is missing that original driving factor which is going to inspire you to do something virtuous (like donating money or time). The principle is that when in a position of power you should lead by example and show others how you donate in such a way. This answer misses that first part of having a leader show you the way, therefore it is incorrect.
D Directors of companies should encourage their employees to recycle more by visibly doing so themselves.
This is an example of leading by example, which is the main principle in this argument. This answer choice says that the leaders in the companies should encourage their employees to commit positive and healthy habits by initiating those habits themselves. Therefore D is correct as it matches the principle the best.
E Companies with the most employees should be put under pressure to commit to the most social change.
This is not the answer because there is no leading figure to drive the change. Who is demonstrating to the company or within the company that they are being charitable and others should follow? Therefore E cannot be correct because it is forcing social change and not installing it through leading figures.