LSAT Logical Reasoning: How to Change an Argument’s Strength (Strengthen, Weaken, Evaluate)

Strengthen

To make the conclusion of an argument more likely to follow from the premises.

Premises

Statements offered as support for another statement, the conclusion.

Conclusion

The main statement that is supported by the premises in an argument.

Gap

The missing link between premises and conclusion that could potentially make the conclusion false.

Assumption

A necessary condition for the premises to justify the conclusion.

Causal reasoning

The process of establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.

Sampling

The method of selecting a subset of individuals from a population to estimate characteristics of the whole population.

Generalization

Applying findings from a specific sample to a broader population.

Key assumption

The core belief that must be true for the argument to hold.

Evaluative question

A question that helps determine the strength or weakness of an argument by addressing key uncertainties.

Weakening

To make the conclusion of an argument less likely to follow from the premises.

Alternative explanation

An additional reason that can account for a conclusion, potentially weakening the original argument.

Bias

A systematic error in sampling that affects the validity of generalizations.

Counterexample

An example that contradicts a general claim, weakening the argument.

Equivocation

A shift in meaning of a term in an argument, which can lead to flawed reasoning.

Policy proposal

An argument suggesting a course of action to solve a problem.

Diagnostic test

An evaluative question that targets the key assumption of an argument.

Random sampling

A method of selecting participants to reduce bias and ensure representativeness.

Representativeness

The degree to which a sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the broader population.

Selection effect

The phenomenon that participants' characteristics influence the outcomes of an argument.

Direct hit

An answer choice that directly addresses the central issue in an argument.

Concrete logical problem

A specific issue that weakens or strengthens the argument based on new evidence.

Premise support

The information that backs up the argument’s conclusion, crucial for assessing the strength of the argument.

Statistical significance

A measure that indicates the likelihood that a result is not due to random chance.

Negate

To refute or counter an assumption or claim.

Control group

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested; used for comparison.

Evidence validity

The degree to which evidence can reliably support an argument's claim.