Sample Use of Line of Reasoning and Counterargument (Hot Dog)

Claim: A hot dog is a sandwich

Reason 1: A hot dog bun functions like bread in any other sandwich.

• Evidence: Sandwiches like subs or hoagies often use a split roll, which is essentially the same structure as a hot dog bun. These are universally accepted as sandwiches despite the bread being connected at one side.

• Reasoning: The bun’s connected nature doesn’t disqualify it from being bread, and it serves the same purpose as bread in a sandwich: holding the filling.

Reason 2: The meat in a hot dog serves as the filling, which is a common feature in sandwiches.

• Evidence: A meatball sub consists of a meat filling in bread and is categorized as a sandwich, even though it involves a similar configuration of bread and meat.

• Reasoning: If a meatball sub is considered a sandwich, a hot dog should also qualify, as it contains a filling (the sausage) surrounded by bread.

Reason 3: Broader definitions of sandwiches include non-traditional variations like wraps, pita pockets, and open-faced sandwiches.

• Evidence: The USDA Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book includes hot dogs in its sandwich category, recognizing the similarity in structure and purpose.

• Reasoning: If culinary definitions allow for flexibility, there’s no reason to exclude hot dogs, which meet the foundational criteria of combining bread and filling.

Conclusion: A hot dog satisfies all the key characteristics of a sandwich. While it has its own unique identity, it ultimately fits within the broader category of sandwiches due to its structure and purpose.

Counterargument: Many believe a hot dog is not a sandwich because the bun is not two separate slices of bread.

Rebuttal: While traditional sandwiches often use two distinct slices of bread, this is not a universal requirement. Submarine sandwiches, hoagies, and even tacos use bread or bread-like structures that are connected at one side, yet they are widely accepted as sandwiches or similar handheld meals. The connection at the base of the hot dog bun doesn’t alter its fundamental purpose: to hold the filling. The structural integrity of the bun is a practical design choice rather than a disqualifying factor.

Additionally, the definition of a sandwich has evolved over time to encompass a variety of forms, including open-faced sandwiches and wraps. If we exclude hot dogs based on the connected bun, we would have to question the classification of other well-established sandwich types, which leads to unnecessary inconsistency. Thus, the connected bun strengthens, rather than weakens, the argument that a hot dog is a sandwich.