LSAT Short Arguments - How to ID + Process Assumption - Flaw Questions and Deconstructing Flaw ACs

Question 1

“flaw…”

“error in reasoning…”

“vulnerable to criticism because, on the grounds that…”

“reasoning in argument is flawed…”

*note that the Q stem had a few more words: “reasoning in argument is flawed because it fails to consider...” that makes it be a WEAKEN Q

“reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the ground that the argument…”

“argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the ground…”

Answer 1

Assumption - Flaw

1. ID Conclusion in argument
2. Distill Evidence in argument
3. ID assumption + flaw type in argument

Go to ACs, must deconstruct each AC into 3 things, so look for Separators, Headers, and Common Flaws

1. In ACs, locate any Separator (aka flow) words (infer, takes, draws, attacks, uses, etc) to help you see Evidence “flowing” to Conclusion each AC…
   2a. In ACs identify “Forgets” AC headers (fails to consider, forgets, etc.) and mark out that language. Treat as a weaken question - prefer strong language. NOTE: When you are looking for an AC that WEAKENS a particular if-then stmt, you are looking for an AC that represents the same IF but a FALSE TRIGGER
   2b. In ACs identify “Assumed” AC headers (presumed, assumes, etc), mark out that language. Treat as an Assumption-Necessary question - prefer weak language. Use negation test
2. Compare AC Evidence to Argument Evidence, compare AC Conclusion, to Argument Conclusion…strike out if both parts not matching.

If any ACs that generally describe Common Flaws and Arg. Tactics (is circular, faulty analogy, etc)…strike out if not matching Common Flaws and Arg. Tactics in Argument

**Note that an overall HEADER at back end of a Q STEM applies to all 5 ACs, so in that case no need to call it a Flaw Question… just call it an an Assumption Weakens with 5 WKN ACs or Assumption Necessary question with 5 NEC ACs**