Setup and Rule Diagrams

[Adam Tyson]

I'm assuming you meant to use a G in those two diagrams, Emily, and not a J, right?

The first diagram would be the correct choice; if G is selected, H is not selected AND Y is not selected. "Neither/nor" means not this AND not that. You could also choose to diagram this rule as two separate rules:

G Not H (contrapositive: H Not G)

G Not Y (contrapositive: Y Not G)

I happen to love using the double-not arrows, but some students feel as you do, that it is confusing. You don't have to use it if you don't want to! It was especially useful back in the old days when the test was on paper and they gave us very little room to diagram and no scratch paper, but since that changed and we have plenty of room to work with it is less important that we save that space. It can still save you a little time, and the contrapositive is built right in, but ultimately you have to do what works best for you. If that means drawing the longer, traditional versions of the conditional relationships and their contrapositives, then go for it! It won't take much longer and you have enough room on the page to do it, so why not?