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Logic Reasoning Flashcards - DO OR DIE
LSAT Logic Reasoning Flashcards
35
Law
Graduate
10/16/2011

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Term

Logical Reasoning Method

Definition

1. ID question type

2. Untangle stimulus

3. Predict

4. Evaluate answer choice

Term
WRONG ANSWER CHOICES
Definition

1. Extreme - statement that goes too far needed for conclusion

2. 180 - opposite of what the author believes or is assuming

3. Distortion - half right, half wrong

4. FUD - faulty use of detail - uses details from stimulus not relevant to assumption

5. Irrelevant comparison - makes a comparison that doesn't effect the argument

6. Out of Scope - most common wrong answer choice, goes beyond the stimulus

 

Term
CONCLUSION
Definition
What does the author want to know? What does he want to convince me of?
Term
EVIDENCE
Definition
Why does he feel the way he does?
Term
LR - LOGICAL FLAWS AND ASSUMPTION
Definition
Be on the lookout for disconnects between evidence and conclusion - every flawed argument makes an unwarranted assumption.
Term
LOGICAL REASONING -  ASSUMPTION QUESTIONS
Definition

1. Conclusion, because evidence

2. Correct answers are missing evidence that MBT

3. Think of assumption as a bridge b/w two cliffs, linking the evidence and conclusion in a logical way.

Term
EVIDENCE + ASSUMPTION = CONCLUSION
Definition

If evidence -> conclusion

 

ASSUMPTION = missing evidence

 

Look for mismatched terms

Term
ASSUMPTION -  ONE SENTENCE TEST
Definition

STRAGEDY

 

If you had to pick one sentence to bring what the AU wanted to convince you of - find the one sentence.

Term
ASSUMPTION -  WRONG ANSWER CHOICES
Definition
Always try to predict the correct answer and scan for it among the answer choices. However, when you have trouble predicting it, you can scan the choices and characterize and eliminate wrong answers.
Term
LR ASSUMPTION - DIFFICULT AND AMBIGUOUS STIMULI
Definition
Paraphrase lengthy and dense stimuli.  Stay focused on the gap between the conlusion and the premises - or evidence.
Term
ASSUMPTION - THE DENIAL TEST
Definition
Some assumptions are difficult to predict.  Scan the choices looking for the right general idea and then use the Denial Test on the one you choose to see what effect it has on the logic of the argument.
Term
LR -  WEAKEN THE ARGUMENT
Definition
Sum up the argument, identifying evidence and conclusion. Look for assumptions and for alternatives that make the conclusion less likely.
Term
LR - WEAKENING CAUSAL ARGUMENTS
Definition

When the argument makes a claim of causation, look for one of the three classic alternatives to an "X caused Y" argument:

 

1. The causality is reversed (Y actually caused X.) That's rare on the LSAT.

2. An alternative cause exists for the effect (Z caused Y). That's very common.

3. The connection between X and Y is coincidental.

Term
LR - STRENGTHEN EXCEPT
Definition
Characterize the answer choices - the four wrong answers will be strengtheners.
Term
LR - STRENGTHEN THE ARGUMENT
Definition
What would make it more believable that the evidence really does lead to the conclusion?
Term
LR - SCOPE SHIFTS
Definition
What concept appears in the conclusion that's not in the evidence?
Term
LR - CLASSIC PATTERNS
Definition
Consider the classic alternatives to a claim of causation.
Term
LG - INFERENCE QUESTIONS - THE BASICS
Definition

1. Identify the question type.

"most strongly supported by the statements above."

"properly inferred"

"if the statements above are true"

 

2. Untangle the Stimulus.

An inference stimulus will almost always be a set of facts, not an argument.

 

Accept each sentence as true, note any connections between sentencees, and translate any formal logic statements.

3. Make Prediction.

4.Evaluate the answer choice.

Term
LR - INFERENCE QUESTIONS
Definition
Understand each sentence individually, note connections beteen sentences, and evaluate each choice.  Remember: An inference is something that must be true based on the information in the stimulus.
Term
EXCEPT
Definition
Except means that you must carefully define the nature of the one right and four wrong answer choices.
Term
LR - INFERENCE AND FORMAL LOGIC
Definition
When you are dealing with formal logic in an inference question, you must translate each statement into simple terms.  Then look to combine statements, beginning with the most concrete.
Term
LR - METHOD OF ARGUMENT
Definition
This question is about structure, not content.  Paraphrase the argument in the simplest terms possible and test each choice rigorously against the stimulus.
Term
TYPES OF KEYS WORDS
Definition

1. Logic - evidence and conclusion

2. Illustration

3. Contrast - but, however, yet

4. Chronological order

5. Author speaking

Term
FORMAL LOGIC - SUFFICIENT CONDITION
Definition

SUFFICIENT CONDITION

If

All

Every

Any

When/Whenever

Always

Term
LR - ASSUMPTION - IDENTIFY
Definition

assumed

assumption

presuppose

if added to the premises

Term
LR - ASSUMPTION - TASK
Definition
Bridge the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
Term
LR - STRENGTHEN/WEAKEN - IDENTIFY
Definition

strengthen

most strongly supports the author

 

vs.

 

most weakens

calls into questions

undermines

Term
LR - STRENGTHEN/WEAKEN - TASK
Definition
Find the answer that makes the conclusion more/less likely to follow from the evidence.
Term
LR - FLAW - IDENTIFY
Definition

vulunerable to criticism

questionable

error of reasoning

describes a flaw

Term
LR - FLAW - TASK
Definition
Find disconnects between the evidence and the conclusion, and identify classic flaws.
Term
LR - INFERENCE - IDENTIFY
Definition

must be true

logically completes the passage

can be inferred

which of the following is most strongly supported

Term
LR - INFERENCE - TASK
Definition
Determine what must be true. Look for connections.
Term
LR - PARALLEL REASONING - IDENTIFY
Definition

parallel to

similar to

Term
LR - PARALLEL REASONING - TASK
Definition
Compare part, of all, of the stimulus to the choices.
Term
IDENTIFY KEYWORDS - NECESSARY CONDITION
Definition

Only

Only if

Unless

Must

Need Required

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