LSAT Logical Reasoning - Essential Terms

Front

Stimulus

Back

The short paragraph or text that precedes the answer choices. It contains the argument, set of facts, or dialogue that you must analyze to answer the question.

Front

The Question Stem

Back

The line immediately following the stimulus that tells you the specific task to perform. It dictates what type of reasoning is required, such as identifying a flaw or finding the main conclusion.

Front

Main Conclusion

Back

The primary claim the argument is trying to prove. It is often indicated by keywords like 'therefore,' 'thus,' or 'hence,' and the rest of the argument serves to support it.

Front

Premise

Back

A statement of fact or evidence provided to support the conclusion. Accepting premises as true is required to evaluate the argument's validity.

Front

Assumption

Back

An unstated premise that the argument takes for granted. If an assumption is false, the argument often fails. It is a gap between the evidence and the conclusion.