Critical Reasoning – Strengthen vs Weaken Arguments

The Strengthen and Weaken questions are designed to test your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments. These questions usually require you to identify what sort of external information which when aligned with the given argument will strength or weaken the argument. Sometimes, you may be asked to evaluate how external information affects the overall argument.

Here are some strategies to help you answer Strengthen and Weaken questions:

1. Understand the question prompt: Before you begin to analyze the argument, make sure you understand what the question is asking you to do. Are you being asked to strengthen or weaken the argument? Identify key words such as ‘strengthen’ (support, proving the author’s claim, etc.) or ‘weaken’ (undermine, casts a doubt on the author’s claim, disprove, etc. ) to understand the task at hand.
2. Identify the conclusion: Understand the main point the argument is trying to make. This is the conclusion of the argument.
3. Identify the premises: The premises are the pieces of evidence or reasoning that the argument uses to support the conclusion. Identifying these premises will help you understand the logic behind the argument.
4. Identify the assumptions: Many arguments rely on certain assumptions that are not explicitly stated in the text. Identifying these assumptions can help you to understand the underlying logic of the argument and to identify potential weaknesses.
5. Look for logical fallacies: Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that can weaken an argument. Common fallacies include false dilemmas, hasty generalizations, wrong comparisons, confusing correlation with causation, circular reasoning, etc. If you can identify a logical fallacy in an argument, you can use this information to weaken the argument.
6. Consider counter evidence: An argument can be weakened if there is evidence that contradicts the claims made in the argument. Look for any evidence or examples that would disprove the argument, and think about how this counter-evidence would affect the overall argument.
7. Consider supporting evidence: An argument can be strengthened if there is evidence that proves the claims made in the argument. Look for any evidence or examples that would make the argument more justified.
8. Think about the context: The context in which the argument is presented can also affect its strength or weakness. Consider the audience for the argument and the purpose for which it was written. This can help you to understand why the argument is being made and to identify any potential biases or limitations.
9. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice answering these types of questions, the better you will become at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of arguments. Use practice materials to familiarize yourself with the types of arguments you may encounter on the test.

In conclusion, answering Strengthen and Weaken questions requires a careful analysis of the argument and an understanding of the underlying logic and assumptions. By identifying the structure of the argument, looking for logical fallacies, considering counter-evidence, thinking about the context, and practicing, you can develop the skills necessary to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of an argument.