LSAT prep

LR point at issue identifiers

"A and B disagree over," "Point at issue."

RC detail identifiers

"According to the author," "according to the passage," "the passage states," "the author mentions." Categorical Language.

RC global identifiers

"Main idea," "purpose," "organization."

LR Inference identifiers

"Must be true," "logically completes the passage," "Can be inferred," "which of the following is most strongly supported."

LR role of statement identifiers

"Plays which one of the following roles," "figures in the argument in which one of the following ways."

LR principle identifiers

"Principle," "proposition," "generalization."

RC inference identifiers

"The author implies," "the passage suggests," "likely to agree," "based on." Loose language.

LR assumption Q stem idetifiers

"assumed," "assumption," "presuppose," "if added to the premises."

LR paradox identifiers

"explain," "reconcile," "resolve," "paradox," "anomaly," "discrepancy."

LR main point identifiers

"main point," "main conclusion."

LR paralel reasoning identifiers

"parallel to," "similar to."

LR method of argument identifiers

"responds to...by," "the argument proceeds by," "argumentative strategy."

LR strengthen/weaken Q stem identifiers

"strengthen," "most strongly supports the author," "most weakens," "calls into question," "undermines"

RC logic function identifiers.

"the author...primarily in order to," "primary purpose of the first paragraph," "best describes the function of."

LR flaw Q stem identifiers

"vulnerable to criticism," "questionable," "error in reasoning," "describes a flaw."

Selection games

-Define the exact number of entities to be selected. - Define a minimum number of entities to be selected - Tell you only that some entities are selected .

Identifying loose sequencing games

-Gives only relative relationships among entities (before, after) -Never define the precise number of spaces between two entities - Never places entities into specific, numbered spaces in the sequence

Logical Reasoning strategy

1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. make a prediction 4. Evaluate the answer choices.

Inference Questions: how to make inferences

1. Note the most concrete statements 2. Combine statements 3. Use keywords 4. Use formal logic 5. Use uncertain statements

Logic Games Method

1. Overview - SEAL 2. Sketch 3. Rules 4. Deduction - BLEND 5. Questions

Reading Comprehension Strategy

1. Read the passage strategically 2. Identify the question type 3. Research the relevant text 4. Make a prediction 5. Evaluate the answer choices

If/then conclusion

A conditional prediction, recommendation, or assertion. i.e. If X is true, then so is Y.

Value judgement conclusion

An evaluative statement.

LR assumption strategy

Bridge the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.

Conclusion types

C - comparison A - assertion of fact P - prediction R - Recommendation I - if/then V - value judgement

LR parallel reasoning strategy

Compare part, or all, of the stimulus to the choices. Match conclusion types.

"(evidence) is evidence that [conclusion]"

Conclusion keyword

"As a result of"

Conclusion keyword

"Consequently"

Conclusion keyword

"So"

Conclusion keyword

"Therefore"

Conclusion keyword

"Thus"

Conclusion keyword

Step 4 Logic Games method

Deductions B - blocks of entities: two or more entities that are linked together L - limited options: Rules that limit the overall setup to one of two arrangements E - established entities: an entity that is locked into one specific spot N - Numbers: rules that guide the number of entities that could be in each group or space D - Duplications: entities that appear in two or more rules

LR Inference strategy

Determine what must be true. Look for all connections.

"because"

Evidence keyword

"for"

Evidence keyword

"since"

Evidence keyword

LR strengthen/weaken strategy

Find the answer that makes the conclusion more or less likely to follow from the evidence.

LR flaw strategy

Find the disconnects between the evidence and the conclusion and identify classic flaws.

LR point at issue strategy

Find the issue on which both speakers have an opinion and disagree.

Matching games

Given two types of entities. One will be more concrete or tangible, while the other set will be made up of possible traits or characteristics of the members of the first set. Use a table or a grid. Traits or characteristics can be shared by more than one fixed entity.

"Presuppose"

LR Assumption

"Assumed"

LR assumption

"If added to the premises..."

LR assumption

"Logically completes the passage"

LR inference

"Must be true"

LR inference

"Which one of the following is the most strongly supported"

LR inference

"Argumentative strategy"

LR method of argument

"Responds to...by"

LR method of argument

"Anomaly"

LR paradox

"Discrepancy"

LR paradox

"Explain"

LR paradox

"Reconcile"

LR paradox

"Resolve"

LR paradox

"Similar to"

LR parallel reasoning

"A and B disagree over"

LR point at issue

"Generalization"

LR principle

"Proposition"

LR principle

"Figures in the argument in which one of the following ways."

LR role of statement.

"Most strongly supports the author"

LR strengthen

"Calls into question"

LR weaken

"Undermines"

LR weaken

LR main point strategy

Locate the authors conclusion. Be wary of misleading conclusion keywords."

LR role of statement strategy

Locate the statement and characterize its function in the stimulus

RC logic function strategy

Look at the context of the detail or paragraph and ask why the author put it there.

LR principle strategy

Look for a 1:1 match of all salient elements between the principle and the specifics.

LR paradox strategy

Look for the answer that eliminates the mystery and makes the statement consistent.

Hybrid games

Mixing two or three of the standard games. Most common is sequencing and matching.

Strict sequencing games

Ordering entities with respect to defined positions.

Step 1 Logic Games method

Overview S - situation: real world scenario being described. E - entities: what are the moving parts A - action: distribution, selection, matching, sequencing, hybrid (strict or loose). L - limitations: does the game state parameters that restrict how the game will be set up?

LR method of argument strategy

Paraphrase the argument into abstract terms.

Distribution games

Place fixed entities into groups, and once an entity is placed, it cannot be used again. Can ask you to divvy up entities among two or three groups. May tell you the exact number of entities assigned to each group.

Step 5 Logic Games method

Questions Acceptability: use the rules to eliminate the violators. Do these questions first. Must be/Could be: characterize the right one from the four wrong choices New Ifs: Take the "new rule" through steps 3 and 4. Do these questions second. Complete and accurate list: the sketches you make for other questions in the game may help you to narrow the possibilities. Completely determine: pick the one answer that establishes every entity. Nailing down a duplicated entry or a floater can be helpful. Maximum and minimum: Use number deductions. Rule substitution: identify what impact the removed rule had. Find another that has the same impact.

"The author mentions..."

RC detail

"The passage states"

RC detail

"Main idea"

RC global

"Organization"

RC global

"Purpose"

RC global

"Based on..."

RC inference

"Likely to agree"

RC inference

"The passage suggests"

RC inference

"Primary purpose of the first paragraph"

RC logic function

"The author...primarily in order to."

RC logic function

RC inference strategy

Read between the lines. Perhaps combine statements. Identify what must follow from the passage.

RD detail strategy

Research the relevant text. The answer is explicitly stated in the passage.

Step 3 Logic Games method

Rules

Step 2 Logic Games method

Sketch

RC global strategy

Think big picture. Review T/S/MI/P. Consult roadmap.

RC logic reasoning strategy.

Use the appropriate LR strategy

Recommendation conclusion

We should or should not do X

RC logic reasoning identifiers

Will mimic LR question types including: Strengthen/weaken - "supports," "undermines." Principle - "principle." Parallel Reasoning - "analogous" Method of argument - "relationship."

Comparison conclusion

X is taler/shorter/more/less than Y

Assertion of fact conclusion

X is true or X is false

Prediction conclusion

X will or will not happen in the future

"(evidence) is evidence of [conclusion]"

evidence keyword

"After all"

evidence keyword