Strength of Language- Argument

Question 1

Necessary Assumption Q. Task

Answer 1

Weak

-Find something required by the argument; doesn’t need to be strong
-Negation of weak will be strong, and strong kills the conclusion

Question 2

Sufficient Assumption Q. Task

Answer 2

Strong

-Strong enough to fix hole in the argument; make conclusion “must be true”

Question 3

Flaw Q. Task

Answer 3

Weak

-Usually subtle; match or understate; wrong answer goes too far

Question 4

Inference Q. Task

Answer 4

Weak

-Match info given; Don’t go to far
-Weak is more likely to be true

Question 5

Main Point Q. Task

Answer 5

Weak

-Match tone/scope of the argument
-Wrong answer goes too far

Question 6

Parallel Q. Task

Answer 6

Match

-Match tone/scope of original

Question 7

Point at Issue Q. Task

Answer 7

Neither

-Need something in both arguments: one agrees and one disagrees

Question 8

Principle Match Q. Task

Answer 8

Weak

-General answers are OK
-Watch tone; wrong answers go too far

Question 9

Reasoning Q. Task

Answer 9

Weak

-Strong answer likely to go too far

Question 10

Resolve/Explain Q. Task

Answer 10

Neither

-Explain both sides of paradox (allow both sides to be true)

Question 11

Strengthen Q. Task

Answer 11

Strong

-Want to make conclusion as strong as possible

Question 12

Weaken Q. Task

Answer 12

Strong

-Want to show conclusion as bad as possible

Question 13

Principle-Strengthen Q. Task

Answer 13

Strong

-Correct answer is rule/law/principle that forces conclusion to be true