How to tell which statement is a premise or a conclusion in an argument? A quick way is to find indicators such as because, since, for, as, considering, whereas,and on the grounds that, which signal to the reader that a premise is coming! In the example above, Ming Li is smart because he went to Peking University, he went to Peking University is the premise since this statement follows the word because.
A second way to form an argument using exactly the same statements is:
Because Ming Li is smart, he went to Peking University.
This is a totally different argument from the first one in that the premise and the conclusion switch their places. Ming Li is smart is now the premise.
These two examples show that the order, in which each statement shows up in an argument, is less important than the logical relationship shown in the argument when deciphering which is the premise and which is the conclusion. Use the indicators to help you march through the puzzle in the beginning. The indicators for a conclusion might include: thus, therefore, accordingly, hence, in this way, consequently, andas a result.
What if there is no indicator in the argument?
In case you cannot find an indicator for premise/conclusion, you have to understand what the aruthor is trying to say and ask yourself which part is the conclusion and which part is the premise to support the conclusion. Consider the following example:
Every milk product from Three Deers must be recalled. These products contains melamine which could lead to renal failure.
Which one is the conclusion? Which one is the premise? Most likely you would say that the 1st sentence is the conclusion and the 2nd sentence is the premise.
Every milk product from Three Deers must be recalled. These products contains melamine which could lead to renal failure.
If in doubt, 1) simply connect the two sentences using the word because; and 2) see which one of the resulting arguments makes more sense:
1) Every milk product from Three Deers must be recalled because these products contains melamine which could lead to renal failure.
2) Becasue every milk product from Three Deers must be recalled, these products contains melamine which could lead to renal failure.
In CR test, if you can locate the premise and the conclusion of an argument, you have 50% chance of getting the right answer in the end. Train your eyes and brains to identify the conclusion of an argument quickly and precisely. Make sure your first step of a long march to the victory gets off on the right foot.
