Logical Reasoning: Making Arguments Stronger, Weaker, and Testable

What does 'strengthen' mean on the LSAT?

A Strengthen question asks for an answer choice that makes an argument's conclusion more likely to be true, helping to close the gap in reasoning.

What is the main structure of an argument?

An argument consists of a conclusion, premises that support it, and an assumption (gap) that must hold true for the premises to support the conclusion.

What is a common misconception about strengthening LSAT arguments?

Many believe strengthening means adding a premise that guarantees the conclusion, but it's often about nudging the argument in the right direction.

What is the first step in strengthening an argument on the LSAT?

Identify the conclusion, often indicated by words like 'therefore' or 'thus'.

What is the role of premises in an LSAT argument?

Premises are reasons or evidence provided to support the argument's conclusion.

What may be necessary to strengthen an argument?

One must identify the gap in reasoning and pre-phrase the type of help needed.

What is the first type of strengthening job on the LSAT?

Strengthening by supporting a key assumption to bridge the gap.

What type of answer strengthens a causal argument?

A strong answer will rule out alternative explanations or show that the supposed cause likely led to the effect.

What is a second type of strengthening job?

Strengthening by ruling out alternative explanations for observed phenomena.

What is an effective way to strengthen evidence quality?

Providing assurance that the sample is representative or that the measurement is valid.

What does a recommendation conclusion call for in terms of evaluation?

It requires assessing whether the recommended action will achieve its goal without creating worse problems.

What does 'weaken' mean on the LSAT?

A Weaken question asks you to choose an answer that makes the conclusion less likely to be true.

What is a common technique for weakening causal arguments?

Introducing an alternative explanation or showing the effect without the supposed cause.

What is a crucial distinction in LSAT weakening?

Weaken answers typically expose vulnerabilities instead of outright contradicting premises.

How can you attack evidence in an argument?

Pointing out issues with sampling methods, measurement validity, and potential bias.

How do you typically evaluate an argument?

By identifying what additional information would help gauge the validity of the argument's reasoning.

What is the main objective of an Evaluate question?

To find the hinge assumption that the argument heavily relies upon.

What types of evaluation questions are often asked in causal arguments?

They test whether other factors were controlled, whether one causes the other, or whether there were alternative causes.

What is important to remember about the answers in Evaluate questions?

A good evaluate question requires a 'yes/no' that substantially affects the argument’s strength.

What is an example of an Evaluate question for a recommendation?

Will students comply with the plan and will it achieve its intended goal?

What is a typical trap in Evaluate questions?

Choosing an answer that only strengthens or weakens instead of one that evaluates well.

What should you ignore to avoid common mistakes in Evaluate questions?

Skip irrelevant details or background claims that don't pertain to the main argument.

How are Evaluate questions different from Strengthen/Weaken questions?

Evaluate requires finding uncertainty in the argument's logic, while Strengthen/Weaken pushes the argument in a particular direction.

What does it mean if an answer to an Evaluate question would lead to opposite judgments about the argument?

It indicates that the answer is likely a good candidate for evaluating the strength of the argument.

What is the final goal of Strengthening an LSAT argument?

To make the conclusion more plausible by directly addressing the reasoning gaps.