LSAT Argument Study Guide

What is an argument?

Premise + Conclusion

An argument is, at minimum, a claim that supports another claim. The claim that gives the support is called the premise. The claim that receives the support is called the conclusion.

What is premise?

A statement which supports another statement

What is conclusion?

A statement which is supported by another statement 

“Just get to the point” Identify Premise + Conclusion

Ask yourself, “what does the author really want me to believe?” I know he’s saying all this stuff to me. But, if I told him to shut up and get to the point, then what would he say? When you find the answer, you’ve found the conclusion.

“Why should I believe this claim?” Theory

Take a claim that looks like the conclusion (or if you have no clue pick at random) and ask yourself, “Why should I believe this?” If one of them seems to support your original claim, then you’ve probably found the conclusion.

• a little hint, you cannot reference your own prior knowledge, only information presented to you

What are indicator words in an argument usually followed by a conclusion…

1. consequently

2. therefore

3. as a result

4. so

5. clearly

6. it follows that

7. accordingly

8. we may conclude

9. it entails

10. hence

11. this

12. we may infer that

13. it must be that

14. it implies that

15. that is why

What are indicator words in an argument that usually follow a premise…

1. given that

2. seeing that

3. for the reason that

4. owing to

5. as indicated by

6. after all

7. on the grounds that

What are indicator words that are usually followed by a premise but also contain a conclusion?

1. for

2. since

3. because

• these words are typically followed by a premise, but they also signal that a conclusion is nearby. Sometimes premises and conclusions are only separated by a comma.

What is a sub-conclusion inside of a complex argument

A claim that both recieves support form one claim and gives support to another claim.

• the same way it is possible for a mother to also be a daughter. In relation to me, she is my mother. But in relation to my grandmother, she is child.

Sub Conclusion (Intermediate Conclusion)

A sub conclusion is a statement that is

1. supported by something earlier in the argument and

2. Used to support something later in the argument

Sub-conclusion example

“The roads are icy. Therefore, driving is dangerous. Since driving is dangerous, schools should close.”

• Premise: The roads are icy

• Sub-conclusion: Driving is dangerous.

• Main Conclusion: Schools should close

Driving is dangerous is a sub-conclusion because it is both a conclusion and a premise.

Context

Extra information related, and important to, but not apart of the argument

• context is crucial, with no context you don’t know what the argument is about. you just have to SIFT out the argument

Context Indicators that indicate a turn away from contextual information and to the argument…

• But

• However

• Yet

Context Indicators that indicates other peoples position or argument

• a group of biologist claim

• most common belief

• numerous studies have shown

*often this type of contextual setup will be followed by the author disagreeing with the “other people”

Context indicators example

 Numerous studies have shown the positive psychological effects of owning mammalian pets. However , not every mammal is suitable to keep as a pet. After all, tigers are very aggressive and can cause serious injuries to people 

Concession (a type of context)

when the author acknowledges a point that might seem to support the other side before presenting their own position.

Concession (Context) Example

Even tho the new star wars movie is very popular and has been widely acclaimed by critics, we should watch the documentary since its a limited theatrical release and the theater in our neighborhood just happens to be screening it 

Concession Indicator words

• Despite 

• In spite of 

• Although 

• Though 

• Even though 

• Even if 

• Notwithstanding 

• While