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Analogy (LR)

(An)

Stimuli that feature arguments by analogy, where the success or failure of that analogy informs the answer choices.

Avg. 1.4 per section
17%
27%
32%
14%
10%

Avg. difficulty: 2.7

Correct answer criteria

  • To support a judgment in one situation, the author presents information about another, distinct situation that is purportedly similar in all relevant respects

Key tactics

  • Arguments by analogy are common in every LR question type, in both sections of the LSAT, and also in the broader world of legal argument
  • Learn to recognize them by name when they appear, and ask whether the analogy is well crafted or vulnerable to criticism
  • The two things being compared in an analogy are always similar in some ways and different in others. What matters is if there are RELEVANT differences that affect the author's specific conclusion

Answer choice tips

  • In "Flaw" or "Method of reasoning" questions, correct answers will often use the words "analogy" or "analogous" directly
  • In other question types (WSE, NA, SA, etc.), information that bolsters or challenges the analogy is likely to appear in the correct answer choice
  • For example, if the author argues for a certain tax policy in one country because it was successful in another country, look for information about relevant economic differences between the two countries

Looking for more?

7Sage offers a full course of video lessons that cover each question type in depth, targeted drills, and performance analytics.

Logical reasoning question types

Alternate explanation Analogy (LR) Argument part Bad authority Causal chain Causal mechanism Causal reasoning Circular reasoning Conditional reasoning Confusing sufficiency and necessity Correlation Diagram? Directionally wrong Eliminating options Equivocation Evaluate Except (LR) Failed alternate explanation False dichotomy Fighting the hypothetical Fill in the blank Flaw or descriptive weakening Illusory inconsistency Inference Internal contradiction Irrelevant corroboration Kick it up Lack of support v. false conclusion Link assumption Main conclusion or main point Math Mental state v. reality Method of reasoning or descriptive Miscellaneous (LR) Misdirected response Most strongly supported Must be false Must be true Necessary assumption Parallel flawed method of reasoning Parallel method of reasoning Part v. whole Phenomenon-hypothesis (LR) Plausibility Point at issue: agree Point at issue: disagree Principle PSA - find or complete the application PSA - find the rule Quantifier Relative v. absolute Resolve reconcile or explain Rule-application Sampling Source attack Strengthen Sufficient assumption Time Unwarranted assumption Value judgment Weaken Weighing factors

Reading comprehension question types

Analogy (RC) Application Art Author’s attitude Author’s perspective Comparative Critique or debate Describe approach Describe organization Describe relationship Except (RC) Humanities Implied Law Logical continuation Main point Meaning in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Miscellaneous (RC) Other’s perspective Phenomenon-hypothesis (RC) Principle or generalization Problem-analysis Purpose in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Purpose of paragraph Purpose of passage Science Single position Spotlight Stated Structure WSE (RC)

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