LSAT Reading Comprehension: Application & Evaluation Skills

Application to a New Context

Questions asking you to apply a principle or criteria from a passage to a new example or situation.

Passage Tool

The principle, definition, or method extracted from a passage that is used to analyze a new scenario.

Two-Part Definition

A definition that requires both components to be met for classification.

Causal Claims

Statements asserting that one factor leads to another, requiring careful application to new situations.

Comparison in Academic Reading

The skill of analyzing multiple sources to understand differing viewpoints and methodologies.

Strengthen Questions

Questions that ask what new information would make an author's conclusion more likely.

Weaken Questions

Questions that seek information that would make an author's conclusion less likely.

Evaluate Questions

Questions asking for information that would help assess the strength of an argument by testing key assumptions.

Comparative Reading

Analyzing two short passages to compare and contrast their arguments, conclusions, and methodologies.

Core Relationship in Analogies

Understanding the underlying connection between two compared items in order to apply reasoning.

Assumptions in Reasoning

Unstated premises that link evidence to conclusions in arguments.

Vulnerabilities in Arguments

Weaknesses in an argument that can be exploited to challenge the author's conclusion.

Passage Priorities

Factors that the author considers most decisive in their argument, which should be weighted heavily when analyzing.

Misreading Conditions

Interpreting necessary conditions as optional, leading to incorrect answers.

Role Mapping in Analogies

Identifying roles in analogies rather than surface similarities to find the correct answer.

Argument Mechanics

The structure of a conclusion, its supporting evidence, and the assumptions that need to hold true.

Implications of Author's Claims

What each author's argument suggests about their beliefs or values compared to the other.

Internal Analogy Recognition

Understanding how an author's analogy functions within their argument.

Scope of Information

The range within which a claim or argument holds true, crucial for evaluating arguments.

Dissecting Comparative Arguments

Breaking down two arguments to analyze their agreements, disagreements, and differing methodologies.

Subtle Differences in Assumptions

Noting the varied presuppositions of authors in comparative reading.

cherry-picking lines

Selecting specific statements from passages while overlooking overall context.

Role of Evidence

How evidence is used by authors to support or critique arguments in comparative reading.

Conclusion Support in RC Passages

Identifying specific factual claims and evaluating their credibility within the context of the passage.