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Internal contradiction

(IntContra)

Arguments that feature two or more statements that are logically inconsistent with one another (e.g. "bread is delicious" and "bread is not delicious"), or set forth a rule and then come to a judgment that contradicts the rule.

Avg. 0.1 per section
21%
0%
43%
14%
21%

Avg. difficulty: 3.1

Key tactics

  • Sometimes the author states or assumes both X and not X. That's an internal contradiction.
  • Sometimes the author unwittingly undermines their own argument, bringing up evidence that actually suggests their conclusion should cut the other way.

Answer choice tips

  • Example answer choices that point to this flaw:
  • the results of the analysis are interpreted as indicating that the use of titanium as an ingredient in fifteenth-century ink both was, and was not, extremely restricted.
  • draws a conclusion that cannot be true if all the data advanced in its support are true.
  • makes incompatible assumptions.
  • its conclusion contradicts an implicit principle on which an earlier part of the argument is based.

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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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