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Critique or debate

(CritDeb)

Critique or debate passages contain multiple points of view on a particular subject. Sometimes the author takes sides and participates in the critique or debate, other times the author merely reports the debate.

Avg. 12.6 per section

Key tactics

  • Your low-res summary will prove particularly useful in these passages, which will often test you by attempting to put various claims in the wrong person's mouth.
  • Pay special attention to concessions, especially those that seem structurally unimportant. If the author cedes a minor point to their critics, you can often expect an author's attitude question where the right answer points out that the author agrees with this point that seemingly comes from the wrong side.
  • Similarly, pay close attention to the question stems, which will often ask for claims that the other party agrees with, then include a few claims that the author agrees with instead.

Answer choice tips

  • The main point of a Critique or debate depends on the presence of the author’s opinion:
  • If the author is the source of one of the perspectives, or supports one of the perspectives, the main point is that perspective.
  • If the author is not the source of a perspective and does not support any perspective, the main point depends on whether the passage focuses on presenting one perspective or discusses multiple perspectives relatively equally.
  • If the passage focuses on one perspective, then the main point is that someone holds that perspective.
  • If the passage doesn’t focus on one perspective, then the main point is the fact there’s a debate about the subject.

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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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