Introduction to Arguments | General Intelligence and Reasoning for Competitive Exams - SSC MTS / SSC GD PDF Download

Logical Reasoning Arguments

The Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT evaluates your ability to dissect and understand arguments. This article introduces the key components of an argument and how to identify them. If you're new to this, take time to master these foundational skills. Work through argument-based questions methodically to build confidence.

What is an argument?

An argument consists of at least two core components:

• Main Conclusion: A claim the arguer wants to convince you is true.
• Evidence: Statements (also called premises or support) provided to justify the conclusion, answering “Why is the conclusion true?” Simple arguments may have one piece of evidence, while complex ones may include multiple.

Key Note: The order of components is flexible—conclusions or evidence can appear anywhere in the argument (beginning, middle, or end). When analyzing arguments, focus on their logical structure, not tone or style, as components can appear in various writing styles.

Conclusion + Evidence

A basic argument includes one main conclusion and one piece of evidence. For example:

• Sarah will likely get a job offer, because she has ten years of experience.
  • Conclusion: Sarah will likely get a job offer.
  • Evidence: She has ten years of experience.

To confirm, ask: “Why believe Sarah will get a job offer?” The answer—“Because she has ten years of experience”—shows the evidence supports the conclusion. Reversing them (e.g., claiming experience because of a job offer) would be illogical.

Conclusion + Evidence + Intermediate Conclusion

More complex arguments may include an intermediate conclusion (or sub-conclusion), which acts as both a conclusion (based on evidence) and evidence (for the main conclusion). It cannot be the main conclusion. Example:

• Sarah will likely get a job offer, because she has ten years of experience. This means she’ll soon repay my loan.
  • Evidence: Sarah has ten years of experience.
  • Intermediate Conclusion: She’ll likely get a job offer.
  • Main Conclusion: She’ll soon repay my loan.

Here, the intermediate conclusion (job offer) is supported by the evidence (experience) and supports the main conclusion (repaying the loan).

Conclusion + Evidence + Background Information

Many LSAT arguments include background information to provide context, but it’s rarely critical for answering questions. Example:

• A neighbor complained about his sister Sarah’s unemployment. She’s applying for programming jobs and got her first interview last week. She’ll likely get a job offer because she has ten years of experience. In today’s market, over eight years of experience gives candidates a strong edge.

This version takes longer to analyze due to added context. Simplify by focusing on the core: Conclusion: Sarah will likely get a job offer, because Evidence: She has ten years of experience. Background information (e.g., neighbor’s complaint, job market) sets the stage but is usually non-essential.

When analyzing arguments, aim to rephrase them as “Conclusion, because Evidence” to streamline your understanding and tackle questions effectively.

How to Identify the Main Conclusion

Conclusions may not always stand out, especially in complex arguments. While no single method guarantees identification due to varied writing styles, these tools help:

• Signal Words for Conclusions: Words like thus, therefore, hence, so, conclude, it follows that, as a result, clearly, obviously, nevertheless, or nonetheless often introduce conclusions, but they may signal sub-conclusions, not the main one.
• Warning: Some conclusions lack signal words. Examples:
  • The cat will run away if you open the door. It dislikes being inside.
  • 90% of local adults surveyed believe crime is rising. We must act fast to address this.Use context to confirm the main conclusion, as signal words aren’t always present.

How to Identify Relevant Evidence

To find evidence, repeatedly ask, “Why does the arguer believe the conclusion?” This question helps isolate the support. Break down arguments as:

Sometimes, a statement mixes evidence and background information, making it harder to separate. Keep asking “Why?” to focus on the support. Practice will help you spot patterns and handle complex arguments confidently.

Signal Words for Evidence

Evidence keywords are often more reliable than conclusion keywords. Common ones include:

• Because
• Since
• After all
• On the grounds that
• Given that
• For
• As shown by

These often point to evidence, though this list isn’t exhaustive.

Looking Ahead

Practice breaking arguments into their components. Question types that typically involve identifying conclusions and evidence include:

• Assumption (sufficient and necessary)
• Flaw
• Strengthen
• Weaken
• Match the flaw
• Match the structure
• Identify the role
• Identify the technique
• Identify the conclusion