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Core Skill 05

Argument Evaluation

Determine how new information changes an argument by testing assumptions, causal explanations and competing possibilities.

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Strengthen

Increase support

Add information that improves the connection between evidence and conclusion.

Weaken

Reduce support

Expose a gap, alternative explanation or reason the conclusion may not follow.

Evaluate

Test the hinge

Identify information whose answer would materially affect the argument’s credibility.

What to master

  • Causal reasoning and alternative causes.
  • Representativeness of samples.
  • Comparison groups and baseline conditions.
  • Plans, predictions and feasibility assumptions.
  • Relevance and direction of new evidence.

BoardQBank strategy

1

State the conclusion and the gap before considering choices.

2

For causal arguments, check alternative causes, reverse causation and coincidence.

3

Judge choices by their effect on the argument, not by whether they are interesting or true.

4

Prefer direct effects over remote possibilities.

Practice focus

  • Strengthen and weaken questions.
  • Evaluate-the-argument questions.
  • Resolve-the-paradox tasks involving apparently conflicting facts.

Continue your LSAT preparation

Move from concept review to targeted drills, timed sets and cumulative practice.

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