Lesson 1: Arguments 101 & Q-Type ID

Question 1

The Process

Answer 1

Step 1: read the question stem and ID question type
Step 2: analyze the argument
(could be assumption based, structure based, inference based, or situational)
Step 3: go to the answer choices
(there are 18 different ways to handle the answer choices depending the question type)

Question 2

Assumption based questions include

Answer 2

8 types: Assumption Sufficient (SUF), Assumption Necessary (NEC), Strengthen (STN), Weaken (WKN), Flaw (FL), Evaluate (EVAL), Parallel Flaw (LLF), Reasoning Conforms (RCON)
Task: find the assumption. ID the conclusion first, then target the evidence.
attitude: do not trust the author’s logical connection and question the validity of the conclusion

Question 3

Inference based questions

Answer 3

3 types: Inference (INF), Point at Issue (PAI), Guided Inference (GI)
Task: asses the facts but not ID the conclusion or evidence
attitude: trust the authors statements. Do not question the validity

Question 4

Structure based questions

Answer 4

4 types: Main Point (MP), Method of argument (METH), Function (FUN), Parallel reasoning (LL)
Task: Identify the structural components by ID the conclusion first
Attitude: do not question the validity of the authors statements or do not critique the argument

Question 5

Situational questions

Answer 5

3 types: Paradox (DOX), Principle above (PA), Situation Conforms (SCON)
Task: Identify the components of the given situation
attitude: Do not question the validity or critique the argument

Question 6

Assumption Based

Assumption Sufficient

Answer 6

the answer choices will prove the assumption to be true thereby proving the conclusion to be true.
Question stem language: conclusion will follow logically if AC is true, conclusion will be properly drawn if AC is true, AC justifies the conclusion

Question 7

Assumption Based

Assumption Necessary

Answer 7

Answer choice will provide info that is “needed” for the assumption to be true
Question stem language includes: assumption required, assumption depends, relies, needs, assumption underlies argument

Question 8

Assumption Based

Strengthen

Answer 8

Answer choice will make the assumption more likely to be true
QS language includes: AC strengthens, AC supports, AC most justifies, argument supported by the AC

Question 9

Assumption Based

Weaken

Answer 9

AC will make the assumption less likely to be true

QS language: weaken, undermine, call into question

Question 10

Assumption based

Flaw

Answer 10

Ac will describe the assumption in a negative way.

QS Language: flaw, error in reasoning, vulnerable to criticism

Question 11

Assumption based

Evaluate

Answer 11

AC will ask a question that addresses the assumption (the missing piece of the evidence)
QS Language: evaluate, validity

Question 12

Assumption Based

Parallel Flaw

Answer 12

will have a correct AC that contains an argument that displays the same assumption as the argument in question
QS Language: error in reasoning similar to which one of the following

Question 13

Assumption Based

Reasoning Conforms

Answer 13

AC will state the assumption of the argument in language that is slightly broader or stronger that the perfect assumption
QS Language: argument conforms to which one of the following principles

Question 14

Inference questions

Inference

Answer 14

AC will provide a statement that “almost has to be true” according to the info given
QS language: inference, argument supports AC, AC supported by the argument, AC must be true/false, a conclusion, follows logically, AC is properly drawn from the argument, point at issue, disagree, agree

Question 15

Inference Based

Point at issue

Answer 15

AC will provide a statement that both speakers addressed directly or indirectly in such a way that you infer that they disagree with one another about that statement
QS Language: point at issue, disagree, agree

Question 16

Inference Based

Guided Inference

Answer 16

(“fill in the blank”) ACs will built on info given in the argument and key words close to the blank to be filled in
QD Language: most appropriately fills in the blank, most logically completes the argument

Question 17

Structure based

Main point

Answer 17

ACs state the conclusion of the argument

QS Language: main point, the conclusion, statement that the argument is attempting to prove

Question 18

Structure based

Method of argument

Answer 18

ACs describe what the argument is doing

QS language: method of argument, method of reasoning, proceeds by, technique

Question 19

Structure based

Function

Answer 19

AC describe the way that one particular part of the argument fits into the argument as a whole
QS Language: function, role, figures in the argument, purpose

Question 20

Structure Based

Parallel Reasoning

Answer 20

ACs will have an entire argument that parallels the logical argumentative structure of the main argument above
QS Language: reasoning most similar, parallel reasoning

Question 21

Situational

Paradox

Answer 21

AC will explain or resolve the situation in the argument that seems contradictory
QS language: resolve the paradox, explain the surprising results, resolve or reconcile the discrepancy, explain the difference

Question 22

Situational

Principle Above

Answer 22

ACs will take the general principle that was stated or illustrated in the argument above and apply that principle to a new specific situation
QS language: principle illustrated/stated above

Question 23

Situational

Situation conforms

Answer 23

ACs will state a general principle or just an idea that applies to the situation describes in the argument above
QS Language: situation above most conforms to…the following principle/generalization, situation above best illustrates the following

Question 24

Assumption vs Inference based

Answer 24

AS Based: “the below supports the above”
Study pg 118 for how “support” “properly drawn” and “infer” factor into both types
Inference based: “the above supports the below”