Insight LSAT Prep Course - Lesson 3: Logical Reasoning (LR)

Introduction

• Focus: Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT
• Structure: 35 minutes, 24-26 questions
  • Short passage (1-3 sentences)
  • Question stem
  • 5 answer choices (A-E)
• Purpose: Test ability to understand, think critically, and logically about written information

Types of Questions in LR Section

• Question Types:
  • Structural analysis
  • Sufficient assumption
  • Flaw
  • Strengthener
  • Weakener
  • Necessary assumption
  • Parallel structure
  • Inference
  • Unexpected result
  • Apply the principle
• Categorization: Based on strategies needed to answer questions
• Improvement Path:
  • Controlled environment: Learn question types, strategies
  • Practice by type: Start easy, increase difficulty
  • Recognize question types in full LR sections

General Approach to LR Questions

1. Read the question stem - Know why you are reading the passage
2. Identify question type from the stem
3. Read the passage
4. Find the conclusion to the argument, if applicable
5. Do a thorough argument analysis
6. Execute front-end strategies
7. First pass of answer choices - Quick skim, identify contenders
8. Second pass of answer choices - More detailed look
9. Execute back-end strategies
10. Choose an answer

Front-End Question Types

Structural Analysis

• Skills Required: Finding conclusion and recognizing relationships
• Subtypes:
  • Finding the main conclusion
  • Role a statement plays
  • Dialogue analysis
• Frequency: 15-16% of LR questions
• Typical Stems:
  • "Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion?"
  • "The claim ___ plays which one of the following roles?"
• Strategy: Basic argument analysis, identify conclusion, determine roles

Sufficient Assumption

• Concept: Fill gaps in the argument's reasoning
• Difference from Necessary Assumption and Strengthener:
  • Sufficient assumption answers can be stronger than necessary
• Frequency: 5-6% of LR questions
• Typical Stems:
  • "The conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed."
• Strategy:
  • Find the gap in the argument
  • Use a "bridge" to connect concepts

Flaw

• Concept: Evaluate and identify flaws in the argument
• Common Confusion with Weakener:
  • Flaw describes problems
  • Weakener presents possibilities that challenge
• Frequency: 15-16% of LR questions
• Typical Stems:
  • "The argument is flawed because it..."
  • "The reasoning is most vulnerable to criticism because..."
• Strategy: Identify the problem in reasoning, describe it

Common Flaws in Arguments

• Correlation and Causation
• Insufficient Evidence
• Ad Hominem (Personal Attack)
• Shifting Terms
• Unrepresentative Sample
• Part and Whole Confusion
• Necessary vs. Sufficient Conditions

Homework

• Practice structural analysis, sufficient assumption, and flaw questions
• Use resources like Law Hub or Insight Training Platform

Next Steps

• Lesson 4: Back-end question types: Strengthener, Weakener, Necessary Assumption, Parallel Structure
• Goal: Continue building understanding and practicing different question types

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These notes condense the key points and strategies discussed in the third lesson of the Insight LSAT prep course, focusing on the Logical Reasoning section.