An author claims that "Athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs should be sentenced to prison." The author provides the following reason as support: Last year, 709 citizens were caught using steroids. 403 were put in jail. In the same period of time, 120 professional athletes were caught using steroids. None of them was sent to prison. There is no reason why athletes should not be punished just like everyone else.

Which choice best describes the reason the author provides? (5 points)

a. It is effective. It supports the claim clearly and logically.
:b. It is emotional. It expresses personal feelings that cannot be backed with research.
c. It is irrelevant. It discusses a fact that is off topic and does not support the claim.
d. It is unverified. It does not cite a source to show where the information was located.