Argument part

(AP)

Stems that quote an excerpt from the stimulus, then ask what role it plays in the argument (e.g. premise, conclusion, background).

Avg. 1.1 per section

“Which one of the following most accurately states the role played by the statement ...”

5%
23%
42%
22%
8%

Avg. difficulty: 3.1

Correct answer criteria

  • Accurate description of the role played by the statement we're asked about.

Key tactics

  • Read the stimulus and identify the conclusion and the premises. Don't pay attention to the statement that you're asked about until you've broken down the argument first
  • After breaking down the argument, think about the role of the statement you're asked about
  • Is it part of the author's argument? If so, is it premise, intermediate conclusion, or main conclusion?
  • If it's not part of the author's argument, is it part of someone else's argument? Is it a point of concession? Something else?

Answer choice tips

  • Be careful about answers that are extreme or twist what the argument actually says - often wrong answers will just misdescribe the conclusion
  • Wrong answers often describe other parts of the stimulus that aren't the statement we're asked about
  • Be ready to go slow on the answers - they are often abstract and you need some time to break them down

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Logical reasoning question types

Argument part Evaluate Fill in the blank Flaw or descriptive weakening Inference Main conclusion or main point Method of reasoning or descriptive Most strongly supported Must be false Must be true Necessary assumption Parallel flawed method of reasoning Parallel method of reasoning Point at issue: agree Point at issue: disagree Principle PSA - find or complete the application PSA - find the rule Resolve reconcile or explain Strengthen Sufficient assumption Weaken

Reading comprehension question types

Analogy (RC) Application Author’s attitude Author’s perspective Describe approach Describe organization Describe relationship Implied Logical continuation Main point Meaning in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Other’s perspective Principle or generalization Purpose in context (of word, phrase, or idea) Purpose of paragraph Purpose of passage Stated Structure WSE (RC)

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