Logical Reasoning Argument Structure: Finding What’s Being Argued (and How)

Argument

A set of statements where premises support a conclusion.

Premises

Statements offered as support for the conclusion in an argument.

Conclusion

The main claim that the premises support, representing the author's overall takeaway.

Main Point

The author's primary conclusion or assertion in an argument.

Support

Reasons or evidence provided by premises that bolster the conclusion.

Explanation

Clarification of why something is true, not aimed at proving a specific conclusion.

Intermediate Conclusion

A conclusion that is supported by premises and used to further support a final conclusion.

Structural Clues

Words indicating roles in argument such as 'therefore' for conclusions and 'because' for premises.

Common Conclusion Indicators

Words like 'therefore', 'thus', and 'so' that signal a conclusion.

Common Premise Indicators

Words such as 'because', 'since', and 'given that' that indicate supporting evidence.

Misidentify Conclusion

A mistake that leads to confusion over support and objection in an argument.

Point at Issue

A specific claim that represents the disagreement between two speakers.

Sharing Commitments

What each speaker believes must be true for their statements to hold.

Courtroom Analogy

Imagining speakers' arguments as conflicting sides in a trial, focusing on what each affirms or denies.

Point of Agreement

A claim that both speakers accept, even if they disagree on other points.

Concession

Acknowledgment of a point that is accepted by both speakers, often showing common ground.

Principle Questions

Questions that ask you to connect a general rule or guideline to a specific argument.

Normative Principle

A principle that conveys what one 'should' do, framing moral or policy standards.

Justifying Principle

A principle that, if assumed, makes an argument valid.

Supporting Principle

A principle that strengthens an argument but does not guarantee the conclusion.

Principle that Conforms

A principle that describes the reasoning used in the argument.

Abstract Reasoning

Taking the specific details of an argument and summarizing them in broader terms.

Common Mistakes in LSAT Logic

Errors such as picking answers based on topic rather than logical structure or misinterpreting disagreement.

Weakening Argument

Identifying statements that challenge the reasoning or support for a conclusion.

Strengthening Argument

Finding statements that support or reinforce the relationship between premises and conclusion.

Identify Misleading Support

Recognizing when a fact might be true but does not serve as a primary support for the argument.

Absolute Language

Words like 'always' or 'never' that indicate rigidity and may misrepresent nuanced positions.

Conditional Statement

An if-then statement often used in arguments to establish a requirement or consequence.

Weak vs Strong Argument

Differentiating between arguments that may seem valid but lack sufficient backing or rationale.