Misdirected response

(MisdResp)

Counterarguments that either mischaracterize their opponent's position, or fail to address key elements of their reasoning.

Avg. 0.15 per section
5%
36%
40%
10%
10%

Avg. difficulty: 2.8

Key tactics

  • The most salient version of a misdirected response is the "strawman" argument. In short, rather than addressing your opponent's argument in its full force, you instead construct a meaningfully weaker (strawman) version and argue against that instead.
  • We usually reserve the term "strawmanning" to describe willful, aggressive misinterpretations of opponent's positions for the sake of winning an argument. But the LSAT also commonly presents misdirected responses that are better understood as simple misunderstandings - George's response makes it seem like Melinda said [this], but really she said [that].

Answer choice tips

  • Example answer choices that point to this flaw:
  • misdescribes the student representative’s position, thereby making it easier to challenge
  • responds to a claim in which “available” is used in the sense of “affordable” by using “available” in the sense of “not occupied.”
  • argues against a point that is not one that Marianna was making.
  • misses the point at issue.

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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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