Critical Reasoning

Question 1

Strengthen the argument

Answer 1

Common ways to strengthen an argument:

• Stating a previously-unstated assumption
• Supporting or elaborating on an existing premise
• Adding a new supporting premise

Question 2

Weaken the argument

Answer 2

Common ways to weaken an argument:

• Undermining an unstated assumption
• Adding a new premise that hurts the conclusion

“Weaken” does not necessarily mean “destroy”

Beware of answer choices that strengthen the argument

Do not try to disprove a premise

Goal: Weaken the extent to which the conclusion follows the premises

Question 3

Assumption Questions

Answer 3

Check each answer choice against the conclusion (Is this assumption necessary to draw the conclusion that…?)

Apply Negation Technique:

• Make the assumption not true (it is not the case that…) and see if it destroys the argument.
• Negate each answer choice and insert it into the argument.
• The negated answer choice that destroys the argument is the correct answer

Question 4

Conclusion/Inference Questions

Answer 4

• Draw a conclusion that must follow
• Look for your conclusion amongst each answer choices
• Aggressively eliminate incorrect answers (Must it be true that…?)

Apply a version of the Negation Technique:
- The negated conclusion that contradicts the premises the most is probably the right answer

Question 5

Paradox Questions

Answer 5

• Identify the contradictory premises “Aha!”
• Explain the paradox to yourself
• Check the answer choices while reminding yourself of the paradox (Does this explain why…?)

Question 6

Evaluate the Conclusion Questions

Answer 6

• Identify the summarise the conclusion and premises
• Identify any assumptions
• Check the answer choices by providing an answer to each question and relating it to the conclusion

Question 7

Flawed Argument Questions

Answer 7

Common Flaws:

• Confusing causation with correlation
• Confusing numbers with rates/%s
• Conclusion mismatch (watch out for new words)
• Extreme conclusion
• Mistaking necessary for sufficient
• Guilty by association
• Unrepresentative sample

Question 8

Structure Questions

Answer 8

Types of structure questions:

• Method of Reasoning
• Boldface
• Parallel Argument

For each sentence, ask, “What role does this play in the argument?”