Final answer:
The parentheses within the statement provide supporting information suggesting Celine Dion's preference for Skippy peanut butter, but they are not the conclusion of the argument. The true conclusion is the recommendation to buy Skippy peanut butter. The correct answer is (b) the parenthesis text IS NOT the argument's conclusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When evaluating the statement, "You should buy Skippy peanut butter. It's a very good peanut butter, it's the kind Celine Dion eats," we must identify the conclusion. Here, the conclusion is that you should buy Skippy peanut butter. The phrase within the parentheses provides additional information—namely, that Celine Dion eats Skippy peanut butter—but this is not the conclusion itself. It's a supporting point that attempts to enhance the appeal of the peanut butter. This tactic is often used in arguments to strengthen a position by association with a celebrity.
Thus, according to the given statement, the correct answer is b) the parenthesis text IS NOT the argument's conclusion.
It's important to note that in constructing an argument, the conclusion is the statement that the premises are intended to support. The 'because' part, which could be considered the rationale or set of premises, may come before or after the conclusion; it may even be implied. For instance, when someone says a restaurant is bad based on only two visits, this is an insufficient amount of evidence to support such a strong conclusion.