Deconstructing LSAT Strengthen and Weaken Argument Questions
Strengthen and Weaken questions are a cornerstone of the LSAT Logical Reasoning section. They test your ability to identify the core components of an argument and understand how new information can impact its validity. Mastering these question types is crucial for success in LSAT India and international law school admissions.
Understanding Argument Structure
Before you can strengthen or weaken an argument, you must first dissect it. Every argument on the LSAT has a conclusion, which is the main point the author is trying to convince you of. Supporting this conclusion are premises, which are the reasons or evidence provided. Identifying the conclusion and premises is the foundational step for all Logical Reasoning questions.
Conclusion and Premises.
Strengthen Argument Questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify an answer choice that provides additional support for the argument's conclusion. The correct answer will make the conclusion more likely to be true, given the premises. It doesn't have to prove the conclusion, but it must add weight to it.
Weaken Argument Questions
Weaken questions ask you to find an answer choice that undermines the argument's conclusion. The correct answer will make the conclusion less likely to be true, given the premises. It aims to introduce doubt or challenge the reasoning.
Imagine an argument as a bridge. The premises are the pillars supporting the bridge, and the conclusion is the destination on the other side. A Strengthener adds more pillars or reinforces existing ones, making the bridge sturdier. A Weakeener might introduce a crack in a pillar, suggest the ground at the destination is unstable, or point out that the bridge is built over a chasm with no safe landing. The goal is to assess how new information affects the integrity of this structure.
Text-based content
Library pages focus on text content
Strategies for Success
Effective strategies involve active reading, identifying assumptions, and understanding the nuances of correlation vs. causation. Practice is key to developing the intuition needed to quickly spot how answer choices interact with the argument.
| Feature | Strengthen | Weaken |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Increase likelihood of conclusion | Decrease likelihood of conclusion |
| Impact | Adds support | Introduces doubt/flaw |
| Focus | Reinforces premises/assumptions | Challenges premises/assumptions/alternatives |
| Analogy | Adding pillars to a bridge | Cracking a pillar of a bridge |
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Be careful not to confuse strengthening with proving, or weakening with disproving. The LSAT asks for relative support or doubt, not absolute certainty.
Another common pitfall is choosing an answer that is too broad or too narrow. The correct answer must directly impact the specific argument presented. Also, be wary of answer choices that introduce new topics or are irrelevant to the conclusion.
Learning Resources
This blog post from PowerScore, a renowned LSAT prep company, offers a detailed breakdown of Strengthen and Weaken questions, including strategies and common traps.
LSATPrep.com provides a concise overview of how to approach Strengthen and Weaken questions, focusing on identifying the core argument and evaluating answer choices.
Manhattan Prep offers an in-depth explanation of Strengthen questions, including common question structures and how to identify effective strengtheners.
This article from Manhattan Prep focuses specifically on Weaken questions, detailing how to dismantle arguments and identify answer choices that introduce doubt.
7Sage, a popular LSAT resource, provides a clear explanation of Strengthen and Weaken questions, emphasizing the importance of understanding assumptions.
This YouTube video offers a visual and auditory explanation of Strengthen and Weaken questions, demonstrating how to break down arguments and evaluate answer choices.
Another helpful video tutorial that walks through examples of Strengthen and Weaken questions, providing practical tips for tackling them on the LSAT.
This comprehensive blog post covers the fundamentals of Strengthen and Weaken questions, including common argument structures and how to identify the correct answer.
LSAT Wizard offers a straightforward guide to Strengthen and Weaken questions, focusing on the core logic and how to effectively analyze arguments.
This video provides a step-by-step approach to solving Strengthen and Weaken questions, with clear examples and explanations of common reasoning patterns.