Weaken and Strengthen Questions

[Tj2464]

Hello all, I have been doing the practice tests and have been doing really well. But I am having a hard time with the weaken and strengthen questions. Would the correlation be if the question asks to weaken, the correct answer will strengthen the argument and vice versa? What am I looking for in the correct answer choices?

[Clay Cooper]

Hi again TJ,

Thanks for another good question.

No, in weaken questions the goal is to weaken the author's argument, and in strengthen questions the goal is to strengthen the argument. There is no fancy footwork or switching of goals - in each case you're trying to accomplish what is suggested by the name of the question type.

I would encourage you to focus on the conclusion of each argument you are trying to weaken or strengthen. In fact, I would suggest that you try to make a habit of reading these questions, which typically ask that a student "weaken/strengthen the author's argument" as if they said, instead, "weaken/strengthen the author's CONCLUSION."

Doing so will help you focus your search for an answer by helping remind you that you are trying to support or undermine the author's point, not contradict his evidence.

Additionally, remember that in these questions there is always an "if true" or it's functional equivalent, so for each answer choice we must evaluate the choice as if it were true and only then evaluate whether it helps or hurts the argument.

Hope that ...strengthens your understanding of these questions.