Questions and Answers
What word always introduces a premise but may also contain the conclusion in the same sentence?
What is the conclusion in the statement 'I am thirsty for I haven't drank all day'?
I am thirsty
Which of the following words can indicate a premise?
The word 'Infers' is a conclusion indicator.
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What does 'On the basis of' indicate?
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Which of the following is an additional premise indicator?
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What does the phrase 'It must be that' indicate?
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'We may infer that _____.'
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The word 'but' is considered a counterpoint indicator.
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'In spite of _____.'
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What does 'Some people say' introduce?
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What do 'Admittedly' and 'Granted' suggest in arguments?
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Match the following phrases with their functions:
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What does the word 'Of course' indicate in arguments?
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What is indicated by the phrase 'It is true that'?
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What does the word 'While' signify in an argument?
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What can you expect if you see OPO (Other People's Opinion)?
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Which of the following are considered premise indicators?
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Which of the following words usually introduces conclusions?
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What words usually indicate premises?
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What is the difference between referring to the stimulus as 'argument/reasoning' vs 'statements/information'?
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What does the word 'inasmuch' indicate?
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List some additional premise indicators.
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What does the word 'first' signify?
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What word can also indicate a list of supporting premises?
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What does the word 'Finally' indicate?
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What does the word 'Also' indicate when used in arguments?
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How can opinions of others be introduced in arguments?
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What is meant by 'nested claims'?
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What is a hybrid argument?
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What should one ask to think like a debater?
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How can you identify the conclusion and premise in an argument?
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Study Notes
Premise and Conclusion Indicators
- Premise Indicators always introduce premises and may also include conclusions in the same sentence.
- Common indicators include For, Since, and Because.
- Words like Infers and On the basis of signal conclusions that stem from premises.
- It follows that, Therefore, and As a result typically indicate conclusions drawn from previous statements.
Identifying Premises and Conclusions
- For signifies a premise while also capturing conclusions in the same sentence, e.g., “I am thirsty for I haven't drank all day.”
- When a statement contains If X is true, then Y must be true, X is the premise and Y is usually the conclusion.
- Moreover and Furthermore indicate additional premises and are often used in lists of supporting ideas.
- The phrase Given that serves as a premise indicator, providing context for subsequent conclusions.
Concession and Counterpoints
- Words such as But, Yet, and However signal a shift to an argument, often following an opposing statement or opinion.
- Admittedly, Even though, and In spite of denote concession, suggesting that the author acknowledges an opposing viewpoint before presenting a counterpoint.
- Expect a conclusion or counterargument after concession phrases, illustrating the author's perspective.
Contextual Clues in Arguments
- Phrases like Some people claim introduce Other People's Opinion (OPO) and are followed by a counterpoint introduction, suggesting disagreement.
- This shows that and It implies that are indicators of conclusions typically drawn from previously mentioned premises.
- Words indicating a counterpoint can precede conclusions, requiring careful analysis of context before and after their use.
Structural Analysis of Arguments
- The structure of arguments can often be decoded using phrases like After all, indicating what comes before is a conclusion.
- Whereas often introduces a counterpoint, transitioning context to argument.
- Recognizing the distinction between This shows that (supporting prior statements) and This can be seen from (implying supporting facts) is crucial for accurate analysis.
Summary of Key Indicators
- Premise Indicators: For, Since, Because, As, Given that, Due to, Moreover, etc.
- Conclusion Indicators: Therefore, Hence, Consequently, Clearly, Thus, etc.
- Concession Indicators: Although, Even though, Admittedly, etc.
- Counterpoint Indicators: But, However, Yet, On the other hand, etc.
Importance of Context
- Understanding the context surrounding these indicators is vital for identifying argument structures and dissecting complex reasoning in LSAT questions.
- Concluding statements often arise after premises, making it essential to track how ideas are linked throughout the argument.### Argument and Inference
- An argument is defined as a reasoning statement or conclusion supported by evidence.
- Distinction between statements/information (fact-based) and inference questions is critical in understanding argument validity.
Important Vocabulary
- Inasmuch: Used as a premise indicator in arguments, indicating relationship or conditions of statements.
Additional Premise Indicators
- Common words signaling supporting premises include:
- After all, Moreover, Furthermore, Besides, What's more, In addition, Additionally
- Less common in Logical Reasoning (LR) than in Reading Comprehension (RC), may suggest a list of supporting premises or two conclusions.
List Indicators
- Words like First, Finally, And, and Similarly can signal a straightforward list of supporting premises or indicate the flow of arguments.
Opinion of Others
- Statements indicating public perception, such as "Many people incorrectly believe that..." or "According to X,..." are context and not the author's argument.
- Signals transition in opinion or argument, often indicated by "but" to lead into the author's perspective.
Nested Claims
- Nested claims refer to arguments made by someone other than the author, potentially serving as premises for the author's conclusion.
- In critiquing arguments, treat nested claims as premises; they can influence the validity of the final conclusion.
Hybrid Argument
- Defined as an argument where a nested claim accompanies premises, lacking a clear conclusion from the author.
- Requires evaluation of the nested claim's validity just like any traditional conclusion since the author does not provide a final standpoint.
Power Players & Argument Parts
- Understanding argument structure is essential: each statement serves either as a premise or conclusion, showcased through various keywords.
- Examples show the relationship between terms and their roles in argumentation, e.g., "therefore" indicates a possible conclusion, "because" signifies necessity in premises.
Critical Thinking in Debate
- Adopting a skeptical stance enhances argumentative analysis. Asking "What is wrong with the conclusion?" aids in developing critical insights.
Identifying Conclusions and Premises
- Process involves:
- Determining what the author aims to convince or instill belief in (conclusion).
- Questioning the reasoning behind the conclusion to reveal supporting premises.
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Description
This flashcard quiz focuses on the words that always introduce premises in LSAT arguments. You'll learn to identify key indicators like 'for', 'since', and 'because', which signal the presence of a conclusion in the same sentence. Strengthen your LSAT skills by mastering these essential indicators.
