The Method Vocab List
appeals to
looks to something to support their point
counter assertions
make an argument against something
a given conclusion
not necessarily the conclusion; could be referring to the overall conclusion, but be on the lookout for it to refer to another conclusion discussed by the author in the course of the stimulus
disanalogous
not similar
merely
only
sole
only one
drawing a distinction
pointing out a difference between two things
supposed (supposED)
poorly assumed; usually used to throw shade
treats an X as a Y
pretends that X is Y
guarantee the truth/falsity
prove something 100% true/false
question the sufficiency of the evidence
question whether there's enough evidence to prove the point
something applies
rule is relevant; can be used in this specific situation
analogy
saying X is like Y, then claiming a property of X applies to Y as well
questions the adequacy of a conclusion
says the conclusion has not been proven
suggests its conclusion is incorrect
says the facts of the conclusion are not true
purported
something that is claimed to be true, but probably not true; usually used to throw shade
proposition
statement
refute
tear down someone else's argument
inconsistent statements
the two statements contradict one another
scope
the world of whatever you're talking about
phenomenon/phenomena
thing! or things!
apply
to be relevant; if something doesn't apply, it shouldn't be used in the argument
qualify/qualified
to limit a claim, qualified claims are limited to make them more provable
on the basis of comparisons
using how two things are the same or different to prove your conclusion
demonstrating that
using the evidence to show that
as a basis for
as a foundation to argue from
infers a
assumes something based on evidence
implicit premise
assumption
(pre)supposition/(pre)suppose
assumption/assume
inconsistent
contradicts
significant
enough to matter
(general) principle
general rule; usually presented to guide a specific example
reasoning from X to Y
"from" introduces premises "to" introduces a conclusion means the answer choice is claiming X is a premise and Y is a conclusion
a property
a quality or characteristic of a thing
a principle does not apply
a rule is not relevant; cannot use the rule in this specific situation
corresponding
a similar thing in another situation
an instance
a specific example of something being discussed
corresponds to
acts similarly to something else in a different situation
counterargument
an argument against a given point
contending that
arguing that