LNAT Formulating Persuasive Arguments 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A lawyer argues: 'Every witness who has ever lied should be dismissed. This witness lied once. Therefore, dismiss this witness.' Which flaw best describes this argument?
- It commits a false dichotomy
- It applies an absolute rule without justification (Correct answer)
- It relies on an appeal to authority
- It uses circular reasoning
Correct answer: It applies an absolute rule without justification
The argument treats 'ever lied' as an absolute disqualifier without providing justification for why one instance warrants complete dismissal.
Question 2: Which rhetorical technique involves conceding a point to the opposing side before reinforcing your own argument?
- Anaphora
- Antithesis
- Concession and rebuttal (Correct answer)
- Ad hominem
Correct answer: Concession and rebuttal
Concession and rebuttal strengthens credibility by acknowledging opposing points before demonstrating why your position still prevails.
Question 3: In a persuasive essay arguing for stricter gun control, which evidence would be MOST logically compelling?
- A personal anecdote from a gun violence survivor
- Peer-reviewed data showing correlation between gun ownership rates and homicide rates across nations (Correct answer)
- A celebrity's public statement supporting gun control
- An emotional appeal describing a tragic school shooting
Correct answer: Peer-reviewed data showing correlation between gun ownership rates and homicide rates across nations
Peer-reviewed comparative data provides the strongest logical foundation because it is empirical, systematic, and controlled for multiple variables.
Question 4: What does it mean to 'steel-man' an opposing argument in a persuasive context?
- Aggressively attacking the weakest version of the opposing view
- Presenting the strongest possible version of the opposing argument before refuting it (Correct answer)
- Using metallic metaphors to describe counterarguments
- Refusing to acknowledge any merit in the opposition
Correct answer: Presenting the strongest possible version of the opposing argument before refuting it
Steel-manning means engaging with the best version of an opposing argument, which demonstrates intellectual honesty and makes your refutation more persuasive.
Question 5: An argument concludes: 'We must ban all social media because teenagers who use it report higher anxiety.' What additional information would most strengthen this argument?
- Evidence that social media companies are profitable
- Evidence that social media use causes rather than merely correlates with anxiety (Correct answer)
- Statistics on how many teenagers use social media daily
- Examples of famous people who avoided social media
Correct answer: Evidence that social media use causes rather than merely correlates with anxiety
Establishing causation rather than mere correlation is essential to justify a ban, since correlation alone does not prove social media produces anxiety.
Question 6: Which of the following best illustrates the persuasive technique of 'framing'?
- Describing a policy as 'protecting lives' versus 'restricting freedom' (Correct answer)
- Listing statistics in chronological order
- Using technical jargon to impress the audience
- Repeating the conclusion multiple times
Correct answer: Describing a policy as 'protecting lives' versus 'restricting freedom'
Framing shapes how an audience perceives an issue by selecting particular language or context that favors one interpretation over another.
Question 7: A debater claims: 'Opponents of this policy have never run a business, so their economic objections are irrelevant.' This is an example of which fallacy?
- Slippery slope
- Ad hominem (circumstantial) (Correct answer)
- False analogy
- Begging the question
Correct answer: Ad hominem (circumstantial)
Circumstantial ad hominem dismisses an argument based on the speaker's circumstances rather than the content of their reasoning.
LNAT Formulating Persuasive Arguments 2
A lawyer argues: 'Every witness who has ever lied should be dismissed.
This witness lied once.
Therefore, dismiss this witness.' Which flaw best describes this argument?