LSAT Logical Reasoning

Because, since, for, for example, for the reason that, in that, given that, as indicated by, due to, owing to, this can be seen from, we know this by, furthermore, moreover, besides, in addition, what’s more, after all

Premise Indicators

Thus, therefore, hence, consequently, as a result, so, accordingly, clearly, must be that, shows that, conclude that, conclude that, follows that, for this reason

Conclusion Indicators

But, yet, however, on the other hand, admittedly, in contrast, although, even though, still, whereas, in spite of, despite, after all

Counter-premise Indicators

Inferences

You must find an item that must be true based on the info presented in the argument.

Assumptions

What must be true in order for the argument to be true.

Must be True/Most Strongly Supported

Asks you to identify the answer choice that is best proven by the information in the stimulus.

Family 1

Most are fact sets

Main Point

Asks you to find the primary conclusion made by the author.

Family 1

Point at Issue/Point of Agreement

Issue: identify a point of contention between two speakers.

Agreement: identify a point of agreement between two speakers.

Family 1

Assumptions(Necessary Assumption)

Identify an assumption of the author’s argument.

Family 2

Justify the Conclusion(Sufficient Assumption)

Supply a piece of info that, when added to the premises, proves the conclusion.

Family 2

Strengthen/Support

Select the answer choice that provides support for the author’s argument or strengthens it in some way.

Family 2

Resolve the Paradox

The stimulus contains a discrepancy or seeming contradiction. You must find the answer choice that best resolves the situation.

Family 2

Weaken

Attack or undermine the author’s argument.

Family 2

Method of Reasoning

Describe, in abstract terms, the way in which the author made his or her argument.

Family 1

Flaw in the Reasoning

Describe, in abstract terms, the error of reasoning committed by the author.

Family 1

Parallel Reasoning/Parallel Flaw

Identify the answer choice that contains reasoning most similar in structure to the reasoning presented in the stimulus.

Family 1

Evaluate the Argument

Decide which answer choice will allow you to determine the logical validity of the argument.

Cannot be True

Identify the answer choice that cannot be true or is most weakened based on the information in the stimulus.

Family 1

Answers that will always be correct in Must be True/Most Strongly Supported

Paraphrased Answers: restate a portion of the stimulus in different terms.

Answers that are the sum of two or more stimulus statements.

Answers that can be incorrect in Must be True/Most Strongly Supported

Could be True/Possibly True Answers

Exaggerated Answers: take info from the stimulus and then stretch that info to make a broader statement that is not supported by the stimulus.

“New” Info Answers: closely examine any new info.

The Shell Game: an idea is raised in the stimulus, and then a very similar idea appears in an answer choice, but the idea is chanced just enough to be incorrect but still attractive.

The Opposite Answer: answer that’s completely opposite of the stated facts of the stimulus.

The Reverse Answer: contains familiar elements from the stimulus, but the reversed statement is incorrect because it rearranges those elements to create a new, unsupported statement.

Incorrect Answer Types for Main Point Questions

Answers that are true but don’t encapsulate the author’s point.

Answers that repeat premises of the argument.

Sufficient and Necessary Conditions

If a sufficient condition occurs, you automatically know that the necessary condition also occurs.

If a necessary condition occurs, then it is possible but not certain that the sufficient condition will occur.

Then, only, only if, must, required, unless, except, until, without, precondition

Necessary

If, when, whenever, every, all, any, each, in order to, people who

Sufficient

Mistaken Reversal

Switches the elements in the s and n conditions, creating a statement that does not have to be true.

Mistaken Negotiation

Negates both conditions, creating a statement that doesn’t have to be true.

Contrapositive

Reverses and negates.