CR Strategy Question:

[Ineedhelp]

When Diagraming for CR, is it recommended to list somewhere in the diagram (P) for premise, (C) Conclusion, and so forth with Background & Counterpoint?

[jlucero]

Carlos, there's a lot of different ways that I've watched students diagram CR questions and I don't think there's ever going to be just one right way. Experiment with a couple different techniques and find which one comes most naturally to you. Ideally, by the time you get more practice with this question type, you should be able to read through and understand the terms of the argument without having to write everything down. Diagramming is a great technique that helps you get better at mental understanding, but there's no one way you have to do it. However,do try to find a healthy balance b/w understanding the argument and taking too much time while writing everything down.

[Ineedhelp]

Jlucero,

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I have been practicing a lot of CR questions, when I recognize that the statement is a premise or a counterpoint, i'll list it on the side, or if it's a conclusion, but on the harder questions, i've noticed that some of the questions can be real hard to determine if it's a conclusion/premise, and i'll end up with a wrong answer, but majority of the time, i'll end up with 50/50 chance of a correct answer, so i'm eliminating answers correctly, and i'm understanding the argument a bit more, due to practice, using key words like since, therefore, hence, due to, etc, so you're right, practice and finding my own style on short-hand, the other major reason why i'll get an answer wrong, that I noticed has been because of 1 word that I'll miss to put in my short hand, and this throws my argument way off, and end up at the trap answer.

[jnelson0612]

Here's how I like to diagram to avoid some of the pitfalls you are discussing:

I first draw three horizontal lines across the page. I put a plus sign between the first two and an arrow pointing right between line two and three.

I then read the argument and try to find what I think is the conclusion. I put that on the third line (after the arrow).

I then ask myself WHY? Why does the author think this conclusion--what is the proof provided to convince the reader? This proof is the premise. I write the premise on the first line.

Now, what helps us get from the premise to the conclusion? The assumption, which goes in the middle line of the argument. I look for word changes between the premise and the conclusion . . . often these need to be counted for in the assumption. I think about what HAS to be true to help me get from the premise to the conclusion.

If I still don't see the assumption I ask myself "how would I argue with the author about whether this argument is true? How would I weaken this argument?" If I could attack this argument I would be addressing the assumption. That can help me figure out what the assumption is if it's not coming to me quickly.