CR Notes

Primary Objective #1: Determine whether the stimulus
contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements.

Primary Objective #2: If the stimulus contains an argument,
identify the conclusion of the argument. If the stimulus
contains a fact set, examine each fact.

Primary Objective #3: If the stimulus contains an argument,
determine whether the argument is strong or weak.

Premise Indicators
because
since
for
for example
for the reason that
in that
given that
as indicated by
due to
owing to
this can be seen from
we know this by


Conclusion Indicators
thus
therefore
hence
consequently
as a result
so
accordingly
clearly
must be that
shows that
conclude that
follows that
for this reason
Additional Premise Indicators
Furthermore
Moreover
Besides
In addition
What’s more

Counter-premise Indicators
But
Yet
However
On the other hand
Admittedly
In contrast
Although
Even though
Still
Whereas
In spite of
Despite
After all

Primary Objective #4: Read closely and know precisely what
the author said. Do not generalize!

Quantity Indicators Probability Indicators
all must
every will
most always
many not always
some probably
several likely
few should
sole would
only not necessarily
not all could
none rarely
never
1. Must Be True/Most Supported
This category is simply known as “Must Be True.” Must Be True
questions ask you to identify the answer choice that is best proven by
the information in the stimulus. Question stem examples:
“If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also
be true?”
“Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the
passage?”
2. Main Point
Main Point questions are a variant of Must Be True questions. As you
might expect, a Main Point question asks you to find the primary
conclusion made by the author. Question stem example:
“The main point of the argument is that”
3. Point at Issue
Point at Issue questions require you to identify a point of contention
between two speakers, and thus these questions appear almost
exclusively with two-speaker stimuli. Question stem example:
“Larew and Mendota disagree about whether”
4. Assumption
These questions ask you to identify an assumption of the author’s
argument. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following is an assumption required by the
argument above?”
5. Justify the Conclusion
Justify the Conclusion questions ask you to supply a piece of
information that, when added to the premises, proves the conclusion.
Question stem example:
“Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion above
to be properly drawn?”
6. Strengthen/Support
These questions ask you to select the answer choice that provides
support for the author’s argument or strengthens it in some way.
Question stem examples:
“Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?”
“Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the
statement above?”
7. Resolve the Paradox
Every Resolve the Paradox stimulus contains a discrepancy or seeming
contradiction. You must find the answer choice that best resolves the
situation. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following, if true, would most effectively resolve
the apparent paradox above?”
8. Weaken
Weaken questions ask you to attack or undermine the author’s
argument. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the
argument?”
9. Method of Reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions ask you to describe, in abstract terms,
the way in which the author made his or her argument. Question stem
example:
“Which one of the following describes the technique of reasoning used
above?”
10. Flaw in the Reasoning
Flaw in the Reasoning questions ask you to describe, in abstract terms,
the error of reasoning committed by the author. Question stem
example:
“The reasoning in the astronomer’s argument is flawed because this
argument”
11. Parallel Reasoning
Parallel Reasoning questions ask you to identify the answer choice that
contains reasoning most similar in structure to the reasoning presented
in the stimulus. Question stem example:
“Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its pattern of
reasoning to the argument above?”
12. Evaluate the Argument
With Evaluate the Argument questions you must decide which answer
choice will allow you to determine the logical validity of the argument.
Question stem example:
“The answer to which one of the following questions would contribute
most to an evaluation of the argument?”
13. Cannot Be True
Cannot Be True questions ask you to identify the answer choice that
cannot be true or is most weakened based on the information in the
stimulus. Question stem example:
“If the statements above are true, which one of the following
CANNOT be true?”

Types 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11: Types 4, 5, 6, 7: Type 8: Type 13:
Family #1, also known as the Must Be or Prove Family, consists of the following question types:
(1) Must Be True
(2) Main Point
(3) Point at Issue
(9) Method of Reasoning
(10) Flaw in the Reasoning
(11) Parallel Reasoning
Family #2, also known as the Help Family, consists of the following question types:
(4) Assumption
(5) Justify the Conclusion
(6) Strengthen/Support
(7) Resolve the Paradox
Family #3, also known as the Hurt Family, consists of the following question type:
(8) Weaken
Family #4, also known as the Disprove Family, consists of the following question type:
(13) Cannot Be True

Assumption Question => the Supporter or the Defender.

The Supporter Role

All male citizens of Athens had the right to vote. Therefore, Socrates
had the right to vote in Athens.

Assumption = Socrates was a male citizen of Athens.

Def: traditional linking role.

The Deffender Role
Protect the argument by eliminating ideas that could weaken the argumen.

People who read a lot are more intelligent than other people. Thus,
reading must cause a person to be intelligent.

conclusion is questionable => Sleeping more than eight hours causes a person to be intelligent.

Assumption = Sleeping more than eight hours does not cause a person to be intelligent.

In this sense, they “defend” the argument by showing that a possible avenue of attack has been eliminated.