P. Diddy's notes o' Doom. LOGICAL REASONING General Question Approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read argument (looking for info requested in question stem) 3. Identify & separate the conclusion and evidence 4. Predict what the answer will be (except in inference and parallel reasoning) 5. Look for the correct answer (first check for your prediction) 6. If correct answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers Question Types: Assumptions Specific question approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read argument (separate evidence and conclusion) 3. Look for gaps between evidence and conclusion 4. Predict what the answer will be (the gaps in step 3) 5. Look for correct answer (first check for your prediction) 6. If answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers Things to remember 1. Assumption questions always contain incomplete arguments 2. The assumption will solidify the argument Weaken The Argument Specific question approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read argument (separate evidence and conclusion) 3. Look for a central assumption (may not be one) 4. Predict the right answer (something that undermines an assumption or evidence) 5. Look for correct answer (this will be something that makes the conclusion LESS CONVINCING, but does not necessarily completely disprove it) 6. If answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers Things to remember 1. Weakening an argument simply means making the conclusion less convincing, but does not necessarily mean completely disproving it 2. The answer will undermine an assumption or evidence Strengthen The Argument Specific question approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read argument (separate evidence and conclusion) 3. Look for a central assumption (may not be one) 4. Predict the right answer (something that bolsters an assumption or gives additional positive evidence) 5. Look for correct answer (this will be something that makes the conclusion MORE CONVINCING, but does not necessarily completely prove it) 6. If answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers Things to remember 1. Strengthening an argument simply means making the conclusion more convincing, but does not necessarily mean completely proving it 2. The answer will bolster an assumption or give additional positive evidence Inferences Specific question approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read passage (usually not an argument) 3. Look for correct answer (this will be something that MUST BE TRUE because of the passage) 4. If answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers (look for "traps") a) Too broad/general (all, many, most, every) b) Too narrow/extreme (only, nothing, none) c) Outside of scope d) 180 degree (says exact opposite of argument) Things to remember 1. An inference MUST BE TRUE, according to the passage! 2. There are only three types of answer choices a) Definitely true (an inference) b) Definitely false (not an inference) c) Possible only (not an inference) Flaws Specific question approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read passage (separate evidence and conclusion) 3. Look for flaws in the argument 4. Predict the answer (the flaw from step 3) 5. Look for correct answer (first check for your prediction) 6. If answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers Things to remember 1. Flaws are errors in reasoning (the evidence doesn't support the conclusion) 2. Common flaws a) Necessity vs. sufficiency b) Small/wrong statistical sample c) Unexamined alternatives d) Scope shift e) Possibility vs. certainty Parallel Reasoning Specific question approach 1. Read question stem 2. Critically read passage (identify method of evidence presentation) 3. Paraphrase passage 4. Look for correct answer (will have same method of evidence presentation) 5. If answer isn't obvious, eliminate wrong answers LOGIC GAMES Setting Up The Game: 1. List the variables and their total number. 2. Read through all the rules. 3. Diagram the rules. 4. Diagram the setup. 5. Identify any random variables (variables that do not appear in any rules). 6. Diagram/list any inferences. 7. Apply rules to diagram, where possible (try to obtain NotLaws and Restrictions). Attacking A Question: 1. Classify the question by locality (global vs. local) 2. Classify the question by "true" category (Could be true, Cannot be true, Must be true, Not necessarily true). 3. Check earlier global questions to help answer the current global question. 4. Use the process of elimination. 5. If stuck, try a hypothetical. Game Types: Linear Advanced Linear (Matching) Grouping Linear/Grouping Others |