Q8 - Commentator: Most journalists describe their

[maryadkins]

8. (C)
Question Type: Analyze Argument Structure (Identify the Conclusion)

We are asked to identify the main conclusion, which is that there is not a liberal bias in the media. Notice that the conclusion is in buried in the middle"”just like we know to expect often on Identify the Conclusion questions (since they’re easier to spot if they’re at the beginning or end). We should look for an answer choice that matches our prediction. (C) fits the bill. The rest of the answer choices draw on parts of the stimulus that are either background information or supporting premises.

(A) is tempting. While this is a point the commentator makes, she goes even farther to argue that there is, in fact, not a liberal media bias"”not merely that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of one.
(B) is incorrect because it restates a premise.
(D) is incorrect because it restates a premise.
(E) is incorrect because it restates background information.

[alinanny]

I chose C originally, had a change of heart and ended up choosing A. I thinks is easy to conclude that A is true due. Yes, the journalists might themselves identify as liberal but once it comes to their work in the media they try to be impartial. Pretty much their political orientation is individual not part of the whole that constitutes the media. Obviously C is correct but I want to know if A is a premise and if it's OK to come up with that intermediate conclusion in this case.

[mirroredshades]

I know the previous post is quite a bit old (a year, almost), but I thought I'd add for anyone who was having problems between (A) and (C).

Commentator points out that some people argue that since most journalists identify themselves as being politically liberal, there is a liberal bias in journalism.

Then he says: "This is not the case, however, because..."

He/she is denying the conclusion of the people who do believe there is a bias. So his/her conclusion is that there is not a liberal bias in the media, and the rest of the stimulus is his argument as to why not.

Given all that, (C) is exactly the conclusion we are looking for; (A) is not. It might be true, but, arguably, the commentator might even disagree with this: maybe it is (acceptable) evidence for journalistic bias. "But wait!" says the commentator, "You guys are wrong, and here's some (other) evidence to show why."

[smsotolongo]

Like many other, I was stuck between A and C and used the "therefore" test and I was able to come up with C on this one.

[roflcoptersoisoi]

8. (C)
Question Type: Analyze Argument Structure (Identify the Conclusion)

We are asked to identify the main conclusion, which is that there is not a liberal bias in the media. Notice that the conclusion is in buried in the middle"”just like we know to expect often on Identify the Conclusion questions (since they’re easier to spot if they’re at the beginning or end). We should look for an answer choice that matches our prediction. (C) fits the bill. The rest of the answer choices draw on parts of the stimulus that are either background information or supporting premises.

(A) is tempting. While this is a point the commentator makes, she goes even farther to argue that there is, in fact, not a liberal media bias"”not merely that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of one.
(B) is incorrect because it restates a premise.
(D) is incorrect because it restates a premise.
(E) is incorrect because it restates background information.

Great explanation although for A I would disagree that the commentator makes the point that one's political orientation does not constitute acceptable evidence of media bias. I agree that she implies that it is insufficient, but that does not preclude the possibility of it being acceptable evidence. Perhaps she does think it is acceptable evidence but that it is is insufficient in and of itself in substantiating the claim that it proves media bias.