LSAT Short Arguments - Distinctive Elements words - necessary for Parallel Flaw and Parallel Reasoning

Question 1

What are some Distinctive Elements terms you would see in an argument?

Answer 1

“elements that are difficult to prove”

note: when checking to see if an AC matches up, the order of elements within an or stmt doesn’t matter, but what serves as trigger and result of course does matter

MATCH UP AC vs ARGUMENT, element types:

If/Then stmts
Causality
Comparisons
Recommendations
Strong Language concepts: superlatives, 1% words, 51% words, etc.
qualifiers: regular qualifier (adjective) or also conditional qualifier would be “when….” or “if….”
THOUGHT ABSOLUTE WORDS like know, realize

**How closely must the Distinctive Elements match? Note that a Parallel Reasoning correct AC will look for pretty strict matching (e.g. 51% word in Arg Evidence needs 51% counterpart in AC Evidence) between the Distinctive Elements evidence and conclusion in AC and argument. It is focusing on the Reasoning (i.e. overall argument) not a Flaw.

But Parallel Flaw is more likely to allow wiggle room between the Distinctive Elements, i.e. 51% word in Arg Evidence may be matched by 100% word in AC evidence. Less parallelness needed since focus is on FLAW.**

HUNDREDS more

note if the arg has more than one piece of evidence, or evidence and counterevidence, consider the RELP between the pieces of evidence and counterevidence to in itself be a DISTINCTIVE ELEMENT