I'm not sure that posting this summary is legal, but expect that the study-purpose-uses have some leniency.
After reading LR Bible, you could use this summary when approaching LR questions
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary Objective #1
Determine where the stimulus contains an argument or if it only a set of factual statements.
Primary Objective #2
If the stimulus contains an argument, identify the conclusion of the argument.
If the stimulus contains a fact set, examine each fact.
Primary Objective #3
If the stimulus contains an argument, determine if the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #4
Read closely and know precisely what the author said. Do not generalize!
-------------------------------------------------------
Primary Objective #5
Carefully read and identify the question stem.
Do not assume that certain words automatically associated with certain question types.
Primary Objective #6
Prephrase: after reading the question stem,
take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
-------------------------------------------------------
Primary Objective #7
Always read each of the five answer choices.
Primary Objective #8
Separate the answer choices into Contenders and Losers.
After you complete this process, review the Contenders and decide which answer is the correct one.
Primary Objective #9
If all five answer choices appear to be Losers,
return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Family#1 (<---)
Must Be True
- Fact Test: by referring to the facts stated in the stimulus
- Correct Answers: paraphrased, combined statements in the stimulus
- Incorrect Answers: Could Be True, Broader, New Info., Shell Game, Opposite, Reverse
Main Point
Point at Issue
- Incorrect Answers: Ethical versus Factual Situation, Dual Agreement or Disagreement, Unknown View
- Agree/Disagree Test
Method of Reasoning
Flaw in the Reasoning
Parallel Reasoning
- Method of Reasoning --> Conclusion --> Premises --> Validity of the Argument
- Abstract the "action" in the argument
Family#2 (--->)
Strengthen/Support
- Identify the conclusion
- Personalize the argument
- Look for weakness or holes in the argument
- Incorrect answers: Opposite, Shell Game, Out of Scope
Justify the Conclusion
- Justify Formula: Premises + Answer choice = Conclusion
- Correct Answer: "new" element in the conclusion
Assumption
- Conclusion --> Assumption
- Supporter/Defender
- Negation Technique
Resolve the Paradox
Evaluate the Argument (#2, #3)
- Variance Test by supplying two opposite responses
Family#3 (-+->)
Weaken
- scenarios: Incomplete Information, Improper Comparison, Qualified Conclusion.
- Incorrect Answers: Opposite, Shell Game, Out of Scope
- conditional conclusion: attack the necessary condition
Family#4 (<-+-)
Cannot Be True
- conditional statement: necessary condition doesn't occur
-------------------------------------------------------
Principle
- Must Be True-PR
- Strengthen-PR
- Must Be True-PR and Conditionality
Conditional Reasoning (conditionality)
Cause and Effect Reasoning(causality)
Formal Logic
- Logic Ladder ( All ---> Most ---> Some )
- Always combine common terms, Some Train, Most Train
- "A <--M-- B --M--> C" means some A's are C's.
Numbers and Percentages
- They don't always move together.
Discussion
Resources
