Introduction to Critical Reasoning

Question 1

Argument Structure

Answer 1

1. Conclusion: Always the author’s statement of opinion.
2. Evidence (Premise): Facts that support the conclusion and are used to build the argument. These are never opinions.
3. Background Info: Statements of facts. Authors use background info to “get us to speed” on anything we may not know.
4. Assumption: Unstated piece of info that must be true if the logic of the argument is to work.

Question 2

Argument Structure Formula

Answer 2

(Any background info) + Evidence + Assumptions = Conclusion

→ Assumption = unstated glue connecting the evidence to the conclusion

Question 3

Premise

Answer 3

Premises are always considered factual

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

• Not always at the end of the passage
• Isn’t always preceded by a conclusion keyword

Question 5

Essential Words to Understand

Answer 5

• Several: “more than one, but possibly all”
• Many: “a larger number of”; “many” is a version of “some”
• Most: “more than 50%”

Question 6

Do’s and Don’ts

Answer 6

• Don’t pre-think
• Don’t eliminate or choose and answer because of the presence of one word (e.g., “some,” “all,” “none,” “always”)
• Don’t skip words when reading passages, question stems, or answer choices to save time
• Don’t eliminate an answer choice just because it brings in new info