Verbose Logical Reasoning Questions

[mlee]

I'm currently working through the "MN, MR, and Contrapositive Problems" of the Lesson 2 HW and am becoming pretty discouraged by just how lengthy these questions are (this frustration is not towards PowerScore by any means).

I'm just concerned because the answer keys illustrate how one would illustrate the various diagrams, but by then, I've already spent more than a solid couple of minutes on each question, diagramming chains, contrapositives; and in many cases, I cannot abbreviate the concepts because that's exactly what they are: concepts, definitions, theories.

Any words of advice you could give? I've tackled many of these successfully, but I can't imagine that I would get any quicker at reading about endoysmbiosis or chlorarachniophytes!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi M,

Thanks for the message! Don't get discouraged yet--what you are experiencing is quite natural, and I can guarantee that you will get better and faster at these over time

One of the reasons that we introduce conditional reasoning early is that it isn't the most intuitive type of reasoning. But, it is tested quite frequently on the LSAT, and one of the benefits of this is that you will get a lot of different looks at these ideas. As that happens, this early stuff will begin to seem easier, but more importantly, your ability to quickly recognize the various forms will increase. and the fact that these are forms is really the key--because they occur in distinct patterns, you will begin to see those patterns earlier in the problem, and more easily. That's when your speed will start to increase.

Another fact is that int he explanations we make a point of breaking down every step in painstaking detail. As you become more comfortable with the ideas, you will begin to go through those steps faster and more naturally.

It may never be that a question like the one about chlorarachniophytes is easy, but come back to it in a few weeks and you will surely be able to do it faster and more comfortably. So for now, keep plugging away at it and just absorbing the concepts. you'll get a lot more looks at this, and that will help.

Please keep me posted on your progress. Thanks and good luck!

[mlee]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Your response was actually very encouraging and very helpful! It's only been week two out of twelve, so I understand I have a ways to go (so perhaps the frustration is a bit premature). I'll continue trusting in the process and look forward to tackling the questions with ease in the coming future.

Thanks again,
M