Overview
This lecture covers the basics of LSAT Logical Reasoning, including question types, core reasoning skills, and strategies for tackling common question formats.
The Purpose of Logical Reasoning Questions
- Logical reasoning questions are designed to test reading ability, reasoning ability, and mental discipline.
- Reading ability includes understanding meanings and recognizing the structure of reasoning.
- Recognizing arguments involves identifying the main point (conclusion) and the support (premises).
- The relationship between support and conclusion is critical for evaluating arguments.
Types of Logical Reasoning Questions
- Flaw questions: Identify why the support does not guarantee the conclusion.
- Required assumption questions: Find what must be true for the argument to work.
- Sufficient assumption questions: Identify what, if assumed, guarantees the conclusion.
- Strengthen/weaken questions: Find what strengthens or weakens the argument’s connection between support and conclusion.
- Supporting principle questions: Identify a broad rule that would fill the argument’s reasoning gap.
- Match the flaw questions: Find an argument with a reasoning flaw similar to the stimulus.
Common Techniques and Strategies
- Always read the question stem first to know your task.
- Identify the conclusion and support before evaluating answer choices.
- Eliminate obviously irrelevant or insufficient answer choices.
- Plug each answer into the argument to see if it fills the reasoning gap or matches the requirement.
Non-Argument Question Types
- Identify the conclusion: Find the main point of the argument.
- Identify the method of reasoning: Explain how the author supports the conclusion.
- Identify the role: Specify the role played by a highlighted statement.
- Match the reasoning: Select the answer with a parallel argument structure.
- Inference questions: Choose what must be true or is most supported by the information.
- Explain questions: Reconcile two seemingly contradictory facts.
- Identify the disagreement: Determine what two speakers disagree about.
- Identify an example: Select the answer that best illustrates a principle from the stimulus.
Example Problem Approaches
- For sufficient assumption questions, seek an answer that guarantees the conclusion when assumed true.
- For identify an example questions, match actions in choices against the criteria described, eliminating those driven by self-interest or social conformity if the principle requires pure motives.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Conclusion — The main point or claim in an argument.
- Support/Premise — The evidence or reasons given to justify the conclusion.
- Flaw — A logical gap or error in the reasoning.
- Assumption — A missing piece that must be true for the argument to hold.
- Principle — A general rule or law applied to the argument.
- Inference — A statement that must be true based on the information provided.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying argument structure (conclusion and support) in sample questions.
- Review and attempt various logical reasoning question types, focusing on argument-based formats.
- Stay objective and avoid overthinking answer choices, especially for non-argument questions.