Lesson 6: Strengthen and Weaken

Question 1

Strengthen

3 steps

Answer 1

1. read the question and ID question type
   
   • will tell you two things: that there is an assumption in the argument and the correct AC will make the assumption (and the conclusion) more likely to be true
2. Argument analysis to find the assumption
3. go to the answer choices
   
   • look for a fact in the AC that makes the assumption more likely to be true
   • correct AC will help fill the gap between the evidence and conclusion

** prefer strong language and the AC’s are true

Question 2

Strengthen

key words

Answer 2

strengthen
support
most justifies
helps to justify

** change words like many and some with two (emphasize weak meaning of those terms0

Question 3

E to C ACs

Answer 3

an AC that states the E and the C as an if/then statement is a highly probable correct AC in

• SUF
• NEC
• STN
• RCON

Question 4

Weaken

3 steps

Answer 4

1. read the question and Id the question type
   
   • will tell you = that there is an assumption in the argument and the correct AC will make the assumption less likely to be true
2. argument analysis to find the assumption
3. go to the answer choices
   
   • look for a fat in the AC that makes the assumption less likely to be true
   • the correct answer will help widen the gap to drive a wedge between the E and C

** Prefer strong language in the AC

Question 5

Weaken

key words

Answer 5

• weaken
• undermine
• counter