The Negation Test

Question 1

How do you use the negation test?

Answer 1

1. First, find a Necessary Assumption question.
2. In those questions, it is essential to find the conclusion and premise(s) that underlie it.
   
   1. Remember: the premises are FACTS.
3. Find the answer choice that appears to mirror the premise that is required for the conclusion to be drawn
   
   1. Remember: the language used will be weak/neutral.
   2. Remember: the answer choice will NOT be an assumption–stick to the FACTS in the argument!
4. Insert a “not” in a key place in the sentence to negate the sentence, reversing its meaning. By doing so, the negated sentence should destroy the conclusion, rendering it incorrect.
5. Et voila!

Question 2

Are

Answer 2

Are not

Question 3

Helps

Answer 3

Hurts/Hinders

Question 4

Contains more than…

Answer 4

Contains less than

Question 5

Will not

Answer 5

Will

Question 6

Sometimes

Answer 6

Never

Question 7

Never

Answer 7

Always

Question 8

Most

Answer 8

Few

Question 9

None

Answer 9

All