Critical Reasoning, Evaluate the Argument

[Ineedhelp]

When looking at an answer with a two path possible strategy, I look for a question that necessarily weakens, and strengthens or one that answers the authors conclusion, on a yes, it will weaken, and no, this strengthens the authors claim/conclusion? How do I determine the difference? By knowing the assumption, or correct assumption? I don't know if I'm on the right track with this?

In order to achieve correct answers, I must be able to determine the following from the argument 1)conclusion 2)premises 3)brain storm assumptions? Then find an answer with a 2 path possibility? Yes, weakens claim, and No, strengthens authors claim? But does this answer the question?

[tim]

none of this sounds remotely relevant to an evaluate the argument question. are you sure you're talking about the right type of question? maybe some examples of how you've used your strategy will help..

[Ineedhelp]

I'm looking at PG 104, under the new CR Strategy Guide. 5th Ed. It's a bit confusing. How do you find an answer for Evaluate the argument, what is your 4 step process Tim?

I'm questioning the "Two-Paths" Strategy for finding an answer.

[jnelson0612]

I'll chime in here. Evaluate the argument is a question type that comes across as trickier than it needs to. Let's talk about what it is.

Evaluating the argument has to do with finding out whether the argument is sound. A sound argument will logically hang together. An unsound argument will fall apart.

Each GMAT argument in this question category will present you with a conclusion and some evidence supporting that conclusion (premises). The author has taken the premises and arrived at the conclusion.

But wait--to allow me to do that, I have to assume something to get from the premises to the conclusion. The assumption is the peanut butter that glues the two parts of the argument together. Think of an argument as a sandwich:the assumption is the peanut butter that glues two pieces of bread together (premise and conclusion) and helps us make a sandwich (argument). Without the peanut butter the sandwich falls apart.

For example, here's a really easy argument:
Amy is less than six feet tall. Therefore, she will never be a successful basketball player.

Conclusion: Amy will never be a successful basketball player.
WHY?
Premise: She is less than six feet tall.
What is the author assuming?
Assumption: A person must be at least six feet tall to be a successful basketball player.

Now, how would we evaluate this argument? How would we find out if the argument is sound? We look at the assumption and whether it is true.

What's a question to ask to determine whether the argument is good? How about this:
"Does a person have to be at least six feet tall to be a good basketball player?"
Notice that I am merely asking if the assumption is true. This would be an example of an answer in this question type--a question asking about the assumption.

Also notice this: If I can answer YES to the question the argument is sound. If I answer NO to the question the argument falls apart. This is how I know I have found the right answer for this question type: I answer the question two different ways. If one keeps the argument sound and one causes the argument to fall apart, I know that I have found my answer.

Please let me know if I can provide further clarification.

[Ineedhelp]

Jamie,

So each answer must make the assumption sound, and make it fall apart?

Thank you, for some reason I have been having problems with memorizing this concept.

Carlos

[jlucero]

Carlos-

Depending on which way you answer it, yes. Knowing the answer to that question would either lead you to believe the argument is sound or it's not sound. But either way, knowing the answer would help you better evaluate the argument.