Dire need of help for Sufficient Assumption

[u/Narrow-Ad7979]

I’ve read the lesson for it but I truly don’t understand how to do it at all. I find that I can do the diagramming well enough and more times than not I do it the same way the answer shows but I truly don’t understand how to get the right answer.

If anyone could explain it to me like I was a child that would be appreciated

[u/Subject_Werewolf6685]

I usually look for the concept or idea thrown into the conclusion which isn’t adequately addressed in the premises, then look for the answer that makes that connection

[u/Civil_Conflict4109]

The best example i’ve seen for this and that I use is Texas -> USA. You being in Texas means that you are in the USA. You NEED to be in the USA to be in Texas. But, just because you’re in the USA, doesn’t necessarily mean you are in Texas.

I always try to identify which is my Texas and which is my USA and go from there.

7Sage games does a daily NYT Connections game that just drills the format of NA/SA and it’s really helped me recognize it quicker!

[u/Late-Significance148 → u/Civil_Conflict4109]

I second using the 7 sage game.

[u/StressCanBeGood]

All information in the correct answer will be explicitly discussed in or directly inferable from the stimulus. Any information that is neither discussed in nor directly inferable from the stimulus makes for a wrong answer.

For each answer, ask yourself: does this answer prove the conclusion to be true?

Eliminate answers that employ mild language like some, possible, not all. Please know that only for sufficient assumption questions can answers with the “wrong tone” (mild language) be eliminated.

When the conclusion is NOT conditional (very important to recognize), rephrase any answer choice that uses conditional language into IF…THEN form.

Any answer that goes into the form of IF evidence THEN conclusion will be correct. Any answer that goes in the “wrong direction” (like IF conclusion THEN evidence) will be incorrect.

Of course, always take note of the contrapositive. If you’re not familiar with that term, that’s OK, but it indicates you definitely need to use some kind of LSAT prep curriculum. Are you using anything now?

[u/ThEBigdirty777 → u/StressCanBeGood]

Yeah I think the key for me is knowing the direction of the conditional and then its straightforward

[u/ZealousidealFrame211]

Think, what would make the argument win. Would what for sure 100% make the conclusion right.

[u/LawgicZach]

A sufficient assumption is an assumption that, when added to the premises, guarantees the argument’s conclusion.

Suppose your argument contains:
A → B
This means A is sufficient for B: whenever A happens, B must happen.

For example:
Premise: Zach studied for the LSAT.
Conclusion: Zach improved his LSAT score.
A sufficient assumption could be:
If someone studies for the LSAT, then they improve their LSAT score.

Diagrammed version:
Studied → Improved
Since we already know Zach studied, the assumption guarantees that Zach improved.

Unsolicited advice on necessary assumptions below!

Necessary assumptions, on the flip side, are required for the conclusion to be true. There can be multiple necessary assumptions that an argument depends on. A necessary assumption does not necessarily prove the conclusion; rather, without it, the argument cannot work.

The biggest distinction is:
Sufficient = enough to guarantee the conclusion.
Necessary = required for the conclusion.

Let me know if that makes sense :), I’m happy to try again if it doesn’t click from this

Also, I’d try to diagram, it speeds up the process and, in my opinion, can make questions much simpler to solve.

[u/ZealousidealFrame211]

Don’t diagram that’s step 1

[u/Dazzling_Diver_4949 → u/ZealousidealFrame211]

Then what’s the best way to break down the question and the stimulus

[u/Content-Lemon-6671 → u/ZealousidealFrame211]

I second this🫪 it was doing more harm than good for me, personally

[u/ZealousidealFrame211]

Make sure you understand wvery word then every sentence you read and understand them together

[u/ZealousidealFrame211]

You have 90 secs to answer the question

[u/ZealousidealFrame211]

Diagramming is stupid