Statements and Arguments Problem Categories

Statement and conclusion are fundamental components of logical argumentation. This section begins with a statement and concludes with a series of conclusions. You must choose the conclusion that logically follows the statement. Sometimes the conclusion can be made directly from the sentence, while other times the reader needs to study the phrase in order to determine the indirect implication. Sometimes one or all of the conclusions may be drawn, and occasionally none will. There is also the possibility that none of them will follow. The reader’s capacity for perception will determine if he or she can examine the statements and reach the correct conclusion.

The Various Forms of Arguments and Statements Questions

Questions based on statements and arguments are among the most typical components of all types of competitive examinations. These types of questions will typically begin with a statement, and then proceed to present two arguments in response to that assertion. A person is responsible for being able to discriminate between compelling and unconvincing arguments. In this part, you will encounter a wide variety of questions of varying categories. In most cases, questions that are difficult to understand will be posed. The arguments that will be presented will, for the most part, be in direct opposition to one another. They will relate to the positive and bad outcomes that were indicated in the remarks on the action that was taken. One definition of a convincing argument is one that addresses not just the theoretical but also the experiential aspects of the issue at hand, as outlined in the assertions. When constructing a weak argument, the statement that is drawn will be one that is straightforward, unclear, and unnecessary. 

What exactly is an argument?

An argument is a series of assertions that must have at a bare minimum the components listed here: The most important takeaway is: This assertion is a claim that reflects what the person making the argument is attempting to convince us to believe, regardless of whether or not it is truly true. Evidence: The arguer gives these claims, which may also be referred to as premises or support, in order to demonstrate to us that the conclusion is correct. The evidence, in its essence, supplies an answer to the inquiry “Why do you think [the conclusion] to be true?” On the LSAT, the simplest arguments will only require one piece of evidence, while more difficult arguments will require numerous pieces of evidence.

Conclusion + evidence + intermediate conclusion

Arguments that are more sophisticated may have a component that is referred to as an intermediate conclusion. This type of assertion, which can also be referred to as a subsidiary conclusion (or “sub-conclusion” for short), serves both as a conclusion and as evidence at the same time. To put it another way, it’s a conclusion that’s supported by evidence, but it’s also a conclusion that leads to another conclusion. Because of this fact, the intermediate conclusion can’t possibly serve as the primary conclusion.

Conclusions’ signal phrases

While there is no assurance that a particular word or phrase introduces the primary conclusion of an argument — remember that many arguments include sub-conclusions! — the following keywords are frequently found at the beginning of a conclusion sentence or clause.

Thus \Therefore \Hence \So \Conclude

These terms, when incorporated into an argument, often provide a solid starting point for locating the major conclusion fast.

Tips for solving questions 

It is preferable to be able to distinguish between “strong” and “weak” arguments as they pertain to crucial questions while making a determination.

Important to note about ‘weak’ arguments is that they may or may not be directly related to the subject and may be of small significance.

In addition, they may pertain to a small portion of the question. Following the questions on this topic will be two statements labelled I and II.

You must assess which argument is strong and which is weak based on the question.

How do you evaluate logical arguments?

To evaluate an argument by means of a truth table:

Symbolically represent each of the premises.

Construct a conditional statement by connecting all the premises with and making the antecedent and utilizing the conclusion as the consequent.

Construct a truth table for the assertion. If it holds true always, then the argument is valid.

Conclusion 

Statement and conclusion are fundamental components of logical argumentation. A person is responsible for being able to discriminate between compelling and unconvincing arguments. The reader’s capacity for perception will determine if he or she can examine the statements and reach the correct conclusion. In this section, you will encounter a wide variety of questions of varying categories. On the LSAT, the simplest arguments will only require one piece of evidence.

More sophisticated arguments may have a component that is referred to as an intermediate conclusion. This type of assertion serves both as a conclusion and as evidence at the same time. The keywords below provide a solid starting point for locating the major conclusion fast.