Verbal: Boldface and Method of Reasoning Flashcards

In a boldface question, the first boldface states 'Sales rose after the ad campaign,' and the second states 'The campaign was the cause of the rise.' What roles do they play?

Answer: The first is evidence; the second is the conclusion drawn from it

An observed fact serving as support is evidence, and the causal claim built on it is the conclusion.

An argument's author boldfaces a claim that the argument as a whole is structured to oppose. That boldface functions as:

Answer: A position the argument argues against

A statement the argument seeks to refute is an opposing position, not the author's conclusion.

Which phrasing in a passage most reliably signals that a boldface portion is the main conclusion?

Answer: 'Therefore, the company should...'

'Therefore' introduces the claim the rest of the argument supports.

A method-of-reasoning question asks how an argument proceeds. The argument cites a single past case to predict a future outcome. This method is best described as:

Answer: Reasoning by analogy from a prior instance

Generalizing from one comparable case to a new situation is reasoning by analogy.

In a two-boldface argument, the second boldface offers a consideration that weakens the first boldface claim. The second boldface is:

Answer: A counterconsideration to the first

A point that undermines an earlier claim functions as a counterconsideration.

An author concludes a policy is flawed by showing it leads to an absurd consequence. This method of reasoning is:

Answer: Reductio ad absurdum

Discrediting a claim by tracing it to an absurd result is reductio ad absurdum.

When identifying boldface roles, why is it useful to locate the conclusion first?

Answer: Other statements can then be classified by how they relate to the conclusion

Once the conclusion is fixed, each boldface can be tested as support for or opposition to it.