Identify the Conclusion

Background

A statement that provides contextual information but doesn't play a role in the argument.

How to identify the conclusion 6

Find the choice that accurately paraphrases the main conclusion that you identified.

How to identify the conclusion 1

Find the point: Determine which statement seems like the main prediction, value judgment, interpretation, or theory. What is the one thing the arguer is trying to convince us of?

How to identify the conclusion 4

Look for conclusion indicator words: Some words are good indicators that the statements they introduce are part of a conclusion. The most common examples are thus and therefore, but however, yet, although and but can indicate conclusions, too.

How to identify the conclusion 2

Look for support indicator words: Some words indicate that the statements they introduce are part of a support statement, and are not the conclusion. Support indicators like because, since and for can introduce statements that explain why the arguer believes a claim.

support

A claim that acts as evidence for another claim.

Simple Conclusion

A claim that is backed by support.

Sub-Conclusion

Also known as a subsidiary or intermediate conclusions, a sub-conclusion is a claim that looks like a conclusion (because it is supported by one or more other statements), but that isn't the main conclusion—it's a conclusion that also supports a different claim!

Sub-conclusion

Claims that function as both conclusion and support

How to identify the conclusion 3

Double-check the claim: If the statement you chose seems to retroactively, or continue on to, support a different claim, then you haven't chosen the main conclusion. In fact, it's now more likely that the different claim being supported is the main conclusion.

Main conclusion

The claim that is backed by the rest of the argument as a whole

Conclusion

the one statement that is supported by the other statements, and that itself doesn't support any other statements.

How to identify the conclusion 5

✓ Clarify pronouns: If the main conclusion is ambiguous—for example, "but this is a mistake"—it's a good idea to rephrase the main conclusion using other parts of the passage. What is "this", and what does it mean that it's a "mistake"?