Method of Reasoning

[JeoVela]

When attacking Method of Reasoning questions, should I also be concerned about modifier words in the stimulus? Im having difficulty with these questions and I dont know if im overlooking an aspect or what.

[Adam Tyson]

If the modifier words in question have an impact on the manner in which the argument was made, then yes, you should be concerned with them. The use of "some", for example, or "could" used to lessen the certainty of a conclusion, might be an essential element of the correct answer.

The main thing you must do is ask yourself, as part of creating your prephrase, how the person in question made their case. Did they attack a premise? Did they offer a counter-example? Did they show a flaw of some kind in another party's argument? The answer to a typical Method of Reasoning question will describe how they argued.

Hope that helps!

Adam M. Tyson
PowerScore LSAT Instructor

[jbrown1104]

Hi PS!

In the Method of Reasoning Section you all mentioned taking the time to study ALL the answer choices for the question type, correct an incorrect. Furthermore, you all even mentioned possibly keeping a list of the different type of methods we encounter. What do you mean by this? Could you provide an example?

Thank you!
~JB

[Dave Killoran]

Hi PS!

In the Method of Reasoning Section you all mentioned taking the time to study ALL the answer choices for the question type, correct an incorrect. Furthermore, you all even mentioned possibly keeping a list of the different type of methods we encounter. What do you mean by this? Could you provide an example?

Thank you!
~JB

Hi J,

Studying all of the answers is helpful because it allows you to get a better sense of how they identify things, and it also allows you to visualize what an argument would look like that fit each incorrect answer. That makes it more likely that you properly identify such a scenario if you encounter it in the future.

As for the list, let's imagine you had a question with a Circular Argument as the correct answer. Well, you could add that to a list of all Circular Arguments you encounter, which would later allow you to quickly see the various ways LSAC features that idea if you need to refresh yourself, or if you just want to drill down more deeply into that argument type.

Does that make sense? Please let me know. Thanks!

[jbrown1104]

Hello Dave!

This makes so much sense, thank you so much. I have found that making lists of different questions and incorrect answers has helped me (especially with method, flaw, and #% questions). THANKS AGAIN(:

Best,
JB