Argument Structure

Question 1

What is an argument?

Answer 1

A conclusion supported by at least one premise.

Question 2

What is a premise?

Answer 2

Stated facts that are intended to support a conclusion.

Question 3

What is a conclusion?

Answer 3

Propositions that are supported by a premise

Question 4

What are some indicators for premises?

Answer 4

Since
Because
For
As
After all
Moreover
In addition
Given that

Question 5

What are some conclusion indicators?

Answer 5

Therefore
Thus
Hence
So
As a result
Consequently
It follows that
It is clear that

Question 6

What are assumptions?

Answer 6

An assumption is not explicitly stated but must be true in order for the conclusion to be inferred from the premises.

Question 7

What is the three step process for breaking down arguments?

Answer 7

1. Locate (and underline) the conclusion
2. Find the relevant premises
3. Identify any assumptions in the argument

Question 8

Define the term valid

Answer 8

When the conclusion of an argument can be logically inferred from its premises

Question 9

When is an argument sound?

Answer 9

If and only if it is valid and has true premises

Question 10

When is an argument valid?

Answer 10

An argument is valid if and only if the conclusion can be properly inferred from the premises

Question 11

When is an argument invalid?

Answer 11

If the conclusion cannot be properly inferred from the premises

Question 12

What is an absolute statement?

Answer 12

A statement that asserts the existence of some fact.

Question 13

What is a conditional statement?

Answer 13

A statement that asserts the hypothetical existence of a hypothetical relationship between conditions. (If A is met, then B must follow.)

Question 14

What is a sufficient condition?

Answer 14

A condition that is enough to guarantee that a necessary condition will follow.

Question 15

What is a necessary condition?

Answer 15

A condition that is required to satisfy the sufficient condition.

Question 16

What is valid affirmation?

Answer 16

When the sufficient condition is affirmed, the necessary condition is guaranteed to follow logically.

Question 17

What is the contrapositive?

Answer 17

When a necessary is denied, the sufficient condition must be denied as well. “Bring that thing down flip it and reverse it.”

Question 18

What is the fallacy of the converse?

Answer 18

An invalid inference that confuses a conditional statement for being reciprocal.

If a then b
If b then a

Question 19

What is the fallacy of the inverse?

Answer 19

When the sufficient condition is denied, the necessary condition may or may not obtain. (There could be other sufficient conditions that guarantee the same necessary condition) invalid inference

Question 20

Keywords to recognize sufficiency ?

Answer 20

If
When
Whenever
All
Any
Each
Every

Question 21

Keywords for necessity

Answer 21

Then
Only
Only if
Only when
Needs
Requires
Must

Question 22

How will only if occur on the LSAT?

Answer 22

Only if A, Then B

B, only if A

Question 23

How do you diagram proposition/premises with the words until/ unless/ without/ except?

Answer 23

Replace the words with the phrase if not.

Question 24

What is the transitive property?

Answer 24

When the necessary condition is similar to the sufficient condition of another conditional statement, they can be combined. A valid inference.