Conclusions
Assessing Conclusions
FIRST, find the CONCLUSION Then, ask questions and define terms to determine the SCOPE (boundaries) of the argument - how strong/broad - what do the main words really mean - define pronoun and other references - Paraphrase the conclusion
Unstated Conclusion- Dialogue
when one person says "we must conclude that.." but then the second person points out a fact that they are not addressing/ something that counteracts the first persons conclusion
What are good questions to ask when assessing a conclusion?
who? what? when? where? how strong?
Weak/Vague Language
"some"- Not plural. "At Least One" If it is subjective, its weak and vauge
Strong/Broad Language
"specific" "Most" "All" 100%
Hence, Therefore, Thus and so
Assumption based question 33% in a MAIN POINT QUESTION that it identifies the conclusion and a 66% its a misdirection 95% when you see these words in an assumption and structure based questions, it identifies the conclusion
Directional Language (Supported by, Supports...)
Conclusion is supported by the fact that (Evidence) Evidence supports the fact that (Conclusion) "What supports what?"
Contrast words (However and but...)
Contrast Word with Stated Conclusion: "However,..." Contrast Word with unstated Conclusion: The TMs often use MPOV to obscure the APOV. The OPOV is often mentioned FIRST, followed by a CONTRAST WORD that introduces the Author's opinion about the OPOV *DONT FORGET*: this is an argument so the odds are very high that the Author will disagree with the OPOV. So, knowing the OPOV can be very helpful in finding the APOV Contrast Word with Other Conclusion ID (However, Since): Assumption Based Argument However....... Since.... (after since is the conclusion)
Chatty Language
Does not add substantive meaning. Rather, Chatty language adds Author Point of View in 2 forms: 1. Positive attitude (approval, enthusiasm) 2. Negative attitude (disapproval, skepticism) *The chattier, the more likely it is to ID the conclusion of the argument
What supports the conclusion?
Evidence
Conclusion Words
Hence Therefore Thus So Since Because After all for
The word "Know" and "Determined"
It is both Thought and Reality: VERY STRONG
Qualifiers
Narrow what is relevant- similar to adjectives
Superficial Language (Quite the contrary, I disagree, mistaken)
The TMs often use contrast words to introduce the APOV and the superficial conclusion Anti-Conclusion: a statement in an argument that the speaker simply concludes is wrong *WARNING*: Polar opposite is not the same as negating ~C situation
Argument Anatomy
conclusion evidence example intermediate C background counter conclusion (opposite) counterevidence (against) counterexample Extraneous BS
After all and For Construction
conclusion after all evidence conclusion for evidence All question types
Since and Because Construction
conclusion since/because evidence since evidence, conclusion 33% in a MAIN POINT QUESTION it identifies the conclusion and 66% its a misdirection 95% in assumption and structure based question it identifies the conclusion
Substance- No Conclusion Identifiers Strategy
eliminate unlikely candidates for the conclusion and compare your best two options, asking yourself which statement supports the other *This process is refered as the "What supports what? - not very common
The Question Stem Trumps All
the TMs sometimes use the question stem to direct the test-taker to the conclusion. If so, use this to override whatever the argument SEEMS to indicate what the conclusion is
