LSAT Reading Comprehension: Drawing What’s Implied and Tracking the Author’s Stance

Supported Inference

A conclusion drawn from a passage that is highly likely based on its content, but not explicitly stated.

Speculation

A guess or hypothesis that is not supported by the passage.

General Knowledge

Facts known outside the passage that do not help in making an inference.

Over-Interpretation

Reading into the text more than is warranted by the author's claims.

Logical Relationships

Connections among concepts in the passage, such as cause/effect, comparison, or concession.

Scope

The range or extent of a claim within the passage.

Inference Types

Common stems for inference questions that ask for what can be reasonably concluded from the passage.

Textual Anchoring

The ability of an inference to be supported by specific statements within the passage.

Evaluative Language

Words that express the author's stance, such as 'however', 'notably', or 'unfortunately'.

Caution in Language

Qualifiers like 'some', 'often', or 'may' that indicate limited claims.

Proof Exercise

An approach to inference questions that involves justifying an answer choice using the passage.

Tone vs. Position

Tone refers to the emotional quality of the author’s writing; position refers to the beliefs the author expresses.

Evidence of Author's Attitude

Indicators like positive or negative adjectives, or the structure of arguments that reveal the author's viewpoint.

Author's Stance

The author’s evaluative position towards other views in the passage.

Attitude Families

Common attitudes on the LSAT: neutral, qualified approval, skeptical, cautiously optimistic, dismissive.

Tone Line Mapping

A technique to track the progression of the author's tone throughout a passage.

Absolute vs. Relative Language

Absolute claims (always, never) are too strong; relative terms (some, many) are safer.

Critique Setup

When an author mentions a view only to correct or critique it.

Boring but Provable

A principle that favors safe inferences over more exciting but unsupported claims.

Memory Aid for Inferences

The '1-Step Rule': a supported inference is usually one careful step beyond what’s stated.

Comparisons and Contrasts

Inferences that can be drawn from the differences or similarities among ideas presented.

Concessions

Statements such as 'although' or 'however' that indicate a shift in argument.

Quantifiers in Passage

Words like 'many' or 'most' that indicate the extent of a claim's validity.

Cautious Tone

An expression that acknowledges potential while maintaining uncertainty.

Support Tests

Assessing each answer choice for how well it aligns with the passage's stated claims.

Academic Tone

A formal writing style that can still carry evaluative judgments based on the author's language.