Analyzing Arguments
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Introduction & Key Concepts
Study MaterialAnalyzing Arguments
Reasoning is one of the most important sections in competitive examinations. A strong performance in the Reasoning section depends on the ability to understand information, identify logical relationships, evaluate arguments, and reach well-supported conclusions.
Analyzing Arguments is an important topic within Logical Reasoning. It tests how effectively you can understand an argument, identify its structure, determine what the author is trying to establish, and evaluate how the supporting statements relate to the conclusion.
The good news is that argument-based questions become much easier when you learn to recognize their basic structure and identify exactly what the question is asking.
What Is an Argument?
An argument is a set of statements in which one or more statements, called premises, are presented as support for another statement, called the conclusion.
In simple words, an argument usually follows this basic pattern:
Premise(s) → Reasoning → Conclusion
The premises provide the information or evidence, while the conclusion is the point that the argument is trying to establish.
For example:
Statement 1: The company has received a large number of customer complaints about delayed deliveries.
Statement 2: The company has not increased its delivery capacity despite the rise in orders.
Conclusion: The company should increase its delivery capacity.
Here, the first two statements provide the supporting information, while the final statement expresses the conclusion that follows from that information.
Premise and Conclusion
What Is a Premise?
A premise is a statement that provides evidence, information, or a reason in support of the conclusion.
A premise may provide a fact, observation, reason, comparison, example, or other information that helps establish the conclusion.
What Is a Conclusion?
A conclusion is the statement that the argument is trying to prove, establish, recommend, or persuade the reader to accept.
Quick Identification:
Premise: Why should I believe this?
Conclusion: What is the author trying to make me believe?
Remember that the conclusion is not necessarily the last sentence of an argument. It may appear at the beginning, middle, or end depending on how the argument is written.
How to Identify the Conclusion
Correctly identifying the conclusion is one of the most important steps in analyzing an argument. If you misunderstand the conclusion, even good analysis of the answer choices may lead you to the wrong answer.
Look for Conclusion Indicators
Certain words and phrases can indicate that a conclusion is being presented. Common examples include:
- Therefore
- Thus
- Hence
- Consequently
- So
- This shows that
- This suggests that
- We can conclude that
- It follows that
However, these words are only clues. Do not identify the conclusion mechanically. Always examine the logical role of each sentence.
Important: A sentence containing the word “therefore” is often a conclusion, but the actual conclusion should always be identified by asking what statement the other information is intended to support.
Types of Questions in Analyzing Arguments
Before analyzing the argument in detail, first identify the question type. Different question types require different approaches.
1. Strengthen Questions
A Strengthen Question asks you to identify the statement that would provide additional support for the argument or make the conclusion more convincing.
The correct answer should strengthen the relationship between the premises and the conclusion.
Key Question: Which option makes the argument stronger?
2. Assumption Questions
An Assumption Question asks you to identify an unstated idea that the argument depends upon.
An assumption often represents the logical gap between the evidence and the conclusion.
Key Question: What must be true for the argument to work?
3. Inference Questions
An Inference Question asks you to identify a statement that is supported by the information given in the argument.
The important point is that the inference must be supported by the argument. You should not add unrelated information simply because it is generally true in real life.
Key Question: What statement is best supported by the information given?
4. Flaw Questions
A Flaw Question asks you to identify the weakness in the reasoning used by the argument.
The argument may contain an unsupported assumption, an incorrect connection between evidence and conclusion, an overgeneralisation, or another weakness in its reasoning.
Key Question: What is wrong with the reasoning used to reach the conclusion?
Why Identifying the Question Type Matters
The same argument can produce completely different questions. Your approach must therefore change according to what the question asks.
| Question Type | What You Need to Find | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthen | Statement that supports the argument | Increase the strength of the conclusion |
| Assumption | Unstated requirement | Find the logical gap |
| Inference | Supported statement | Stay within the given information |
| Flaw | Weakness in reasoning | Identify the problem in the argument |
Common Trap: Do not select an answer merely because it is logically related to the passage. The answer must perform the specific task asked by the question.
Active Reading of an Argument
Analyzing an argument is not the same as reading a passage casually. You need to read actively, paying attention to how the sentences work together.
While reading, ask yourself:
- What is the main issue?
- What information is being provided?
- Which statements are premises?
- What is the author trying to establish?
- How do the premises support the conclusion?
- Is there a gap between the evidence and the conclusion?
- What exactly is the question asking me to find?
Active Reading Formula
Read → Identify → Connect → Evaluate → Answer
Understanding the Relationship Between Premise and Conclusion
The central task in argument analysis is to understand how the premises are connected to the conclusion.
Consider this simple example:
Premise: The number of online orders has increased significantly.
Premise: The company is currently operating with the same warehouse capacity as last year.
Conclusion: The company should review its warehouse capacity.
The premises provide information about increasing demand and unchanged capacity. The conclusion recommends reviewing the capacity.
When analyzing the argument, you should not simply identify individual statements. You should understand the logical connection between them.
Conclusion Is Not Always at the End
One of the common mistakes in Logical Reasoning is assuming that the last sentence must be the conclusion.
For example:
The company should introduce flexible working hours. Employee surveys show that many employees face difficulty managing fixed commuting schedules. Several teams have also reported improved productivity when employees are allowed greater flexibility.
Here, the first sentence is the conclusion. The following sentences provide supporting information.
Exam Tip: Do not identify the conclusion based only on its position. Identify the statement that the other information is intended to support.
Analyzing Answer Choices
Answering an argument-based question is a comparative process. Sometimes two choices may initially appear reasonable. Your task is to determine which one best answers the exact question.
Step 1: Eliminate Clearly Wrong Choices
First remove options that are:
- Unrelated to the argument
- Contradictory to the information given
- Too extreme
- Based on an unsupported assumption
- Answering a different question
Step 2: Compare the Remaining Choices
After eliminating obvious distractors, carefully compare the remaining options.
A single word can change the meaning of an answer. Words such as always, never, only, completely, all, none, and must should therefore be examined carefully.
Step 3: Choose the Best Answer
Do not stop at the first option that appears acceptable. Check the remaining choices and select the one that best satisfies the exact requirement of the question.
Remember: In many argument questions, the correct answer is not simply a “good” statement. It is the statement that performs the required logical task better than the alternatives.
Do Not Confuse Personal Agreement with Logical Strength
An argument may discuss a topic about which you have a strong personal opinion. That personal opinion should not determine your answer.
In Logical Reasoning, evaluate the quality and role of the reasoning, not whether you personally agree with the conclusion.
Wrong Approach: “I agree with this statement, so the argument must be correct.”
Correct Approach: “Does the information given logically support the conclusion or answer the question asked?”
The Role of Keywords
Keywords can help you understand the structure of an argument and the task required by the question.
Conclusion Indicators
- Therefore
- Thus
- Hence
- Consequently
- So
Reason or Evidence Indicators
- Because
- Since
- As
- Given that
- Due to
These words are useful clues, but they should not replace logical analysis. Always examine the meaning and role of the sentence in context.
Common Mistakes in Analyzing Arguments
1. Misidentifying the Conclusion
If you identify a supporting statement as the conclusion, the entire analysis can go in the wrong direction.
2. Ignoring the Question Type
A strengthen question, assumption question, inference question, and flaw question require different approaches.
3. Choosing a Related Answer Instead of the Best Answer
An option may be related to the topic but still fail to answer the exact question.
4. Reading Only One or Two Answer Choices
Even when one option looks correct, compare it with the remaining choices before making the final decision.
5. Being Distracted by Strong Language
Words such as “always” or “never” can make an option unnecessarily strong. Check whether the argument actually supports that level of certainty.
6. Using Personal Opinion
Your personal agreement or disagreement with the topic is irrelevant unless the question specifically asks for an opinion.
7. Spending Too Much Time on One Question
Competitive examinations reward both accuracy and efficient time management. If you are stuck, eliminate clearly wrong options and move forward.
Basic Framework for Analyzing Arguments
Identify Question Type → Read Carefully → Find Premises → Find Conclusion → Understand the Link → Evaluate Choices → Eliminate Distractors → Select the Best Answer
Quick Revision Table
| Concept | What to Remember |
|---|---|
| Argument | A set of statements in which premises support a conclusion. |
| Premise | Information or reason used to support the conclusion. |
| Conclusion | The point the argument is trying to establish. |
| Strengthen | Find information that makes the argument stronger. |
| Assumption | Find the unstated requirement connecting evidence and conclusion. |
| Inference | Find what is best supported by the given information. |
| Flaw | Find the weakness in the reasoning. |
| Answer Choices | Eliminate wrong choices and compare the remaining options carefully. |
| Time Management | Do not get stuck on one question. Use elimination and move forward. |
Key Points to Remember
- An argument contains premises and a conclusion.
- The conclusion is the statement that the argument is trying to establish.
- The conclusion is not necessarily the last sentence.
- Identify the question type before evaluating the answer choices.
- Strengthen questions require additional support.
- Assumption questions require the unstated link between evidence and conclusion.
- Inference questions require a statement supported by the given information.
- Flaw questions require identification of the weakness in the reasoning.
- Read the argument actively and pay attention to how the sentences work together.
- Eliminate clearly wrong choices before comparing the remaining options.
- Read every remaining answer choice carefully because a single word can change its meaning.
- Choose the best answer, not merely an answer that appears related.
- Do not let personal opinion replace logical analysis.
- Manage time carefully and avoid getting stuck on one question.
LearnFrenzy Golden Rule
First understand what the question is asking, then identify the premises and conclusion, analyze their logical connection, eliminate the wrong choices, and select the answer that best satisfies the exact requirement of the question.