Formulating Persuasive Arguments Flashcards
7 cards from real LNAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Formulating Persuasive Arguments flashcards as text
A politician says: 'Crime rates fell after we introduced Policy X. Therefore, Policy X reduced crime.' What logical error does this commit?
Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc assumes that because B followed A, A caused B, ignoring other possible explanations for the outcome.
Which of the following best demonstrates the use of a 'limiting concession' in a persuasive argument?
Answer: 'While free speech is a fundamental right, it does not extend to incitement of violence.'
A limiting concession acknowledges the value of a competing principle while narrowing its application to prevent it from defeating your own argument.
In persuasive legal writing, what is the purpose of a 'thesis paragraph'?
Answer: To state your central claim and the main reasons supporting it
A thesis paragraph declares your central position and signals the key supporting reasons, giving the reader a clear framework for evaluating the argument.
Which of the following examples best illustrates an argument from analogy?
Answer: 'Regulating social media is like regulating a utility — both are essential public infrastructure.'
An argument from analogy draws on the similarities between two cases to argue that what holds for one should hold for the other.
Which approach is MOST effective when the weight of empirical evidence contradicts your position in a persuasive essay?
Answer: Acknowledge the evidence, then argue it is outweighed by other considerations or has methodological limits
Acknowledging and then contextualizing or qualifying contrary evidence is more credible and persuasive than pretending it does not exist.
What is the 'burden of proof' principle in the context of argumentation?
Answer: The responsibility of the party making a claim to provide sufficient evidence for it
Burden of proof holds that whoever makes an assertion is responsible for providing evidence, rather than opponents being required to disprove it.
A candidate's essay concludes: 'For these reasons, the evidence overwhelmingly supports abolishing tuition fees.' What persuasive function does the word 'overwhelmingly' serve?
Answer: It intensifies the claim through emphasis to make the conclusion seem more certain
'Overwhelmingly' is an intensifier that signals confidence and breadth in the conclusion, reinforcing the persuasive impact without adding new logical content.