Technique Analysis – Enthymemes

Situation #1 – Affordable housing is always difficult to find around campus, and this problem was not helped by the fact the BYU has decreased the size of the boundaries where students can find university approved housing.

WATCO – Shrinking the approved housing boundaries on the lifestyle of BYU students?

Audience – BYU administrators who are in charge of student housing.

Claim – Shrinking the approved housing boundaries cramps the lifestyle of BYU students because shrinking the approved housing boundaries increases the amount of money students have to pay for rent every month.

Implicit Assumption – Whatever increases the amount of money students have to pay every month also cramps the lifestyle of students.


Situation #2 – It seems that the most powerful person at many large universities is not the university’s president, but rather the head football coach. The head coaches make more money than the university presidents and have a very large influence on campus.

WATCO – Focusing on athletics over academics on the level of education at a university?

Audience – The governing Board of Directors at large universities.

Claim – Focusing on athletics over academics decreases the level of education at a university because prioritizing football and basketball encourages students to study less and party more.

Implicit Assumption – Whatever leads to more parties and less time spent studying decreases the level of education.


Situation #3 – English 312 is a difficult class, and there are probably easier alternatives for students who need to take an advanced writing class to graduate.

WATCO – Taking English 312 on a student’s experience at BYU?

Audience – BYU students who are not majoring in English and are deciding which advanced writing class to take.

Claim – Taking English 312 enhances a student’s experience at BYU because learning how to write for specific audiences pushes students to learn valuable communication skills that will be helpful in many different occupations.

Implicit Assumption – Whatever helps students learn valuable communication skills enhances the student’s experience at BYU.