Question Type - Elevator Pitches

Each correct answer in the LSAT will do the following. Listed them as questions that I can ask actively while solving them

Weaken

Which new evidence that makes the conclusion suspect?

Strengthen

Which answer provides new evidence that strengthens the argument?

Sufficient Assumption

Which answer bridges a gap in the argument to make the argument win?

OR

Which answer proves the conclusion correct?

Paradox

“Why is one fact happening even though the other fact is happening?”

OR

Which new evidence provides a satisfying explanation for the mystery?

 

Evaluate

Which answer will help me determine whether the argument is good or bad?”

Play with extremes. Pretend the answer to the question is 0 percent or 100 percent, never or always, noon or midnight. The one that makes a difference is correct.

MBT & Supported

Does this answer have to be true based on what I know from the passage?

Is this easiest to prove based on the facts on the page? Is it restating any part of the passage?

Main Conclusion

What are they trying to prove?

Reasoning

Does this answer describe something that happened in the passage?

Role

Is it the conclusion? Is it evidence for the conclusion? Or is it something else?

Flaw

Does this answer describe exactly what’s happening in the argument? (If you can’t prove they did it, there’s no need to go to step two.)

Is this a problem for the argument? (Does pointing this out put the argument in a bad spot?)

Necessary Assumption

Which answer does the author have to agree with?

Disagree

Does Mark talk about AND agree or disagree with answer A? Or is it unclear?

Does Simon talk about AND agree or disagree with answer A? Or is it unclear?

Do we have one yes and one no?

Parallel Reasoning

Is the argument (valid) vs. bad (flawed)? If the argument is obviously flawed, the correct answer will be flawed in the same way. If the argument is valid, the correct answer will be valid in the same way.

Is the AC deviating from the given argument?you shouldn’t need to read every one of them all the way through to know they’re wrong. 

Parallel Flaw

What is the flaw in the argument?

Are both susceptible to the same objection?