Argument Analysis: Strengthening

Methods in this video

Tap a time to jump to where the video teaches that method.

1. 1

   Say what they want, then find the gap

   ▶ 1:43

   When to use it: The question asks which statement best supports or most strengthens someone's claim: they want people to do something (run every day, read aloud at home) to get a result (do well in competitions, remember more).

   • Before reading the options, say what they want people to do and what they want to get.
   • Draw a line: what to do → ? → what they want. The missing step in the middle is the gap, and the answer must fill it.
   • The benefit must hit the target: the result they want, and the person doing it.
2. 2

   Only filling the gap strengthens

   ▶ 4:08

   When to use it: Several options in a strengthen question are on topic and all sound helpful (common in longer Selective 'most strengthens' passages); the reason given is about feelings, and the question never mentions what the thing is for.

   • Only the statement that fills the gap strengthens the claim.
   • Ones that only sound helpful, go off topic or help the other side do not count.
   • When the gap is not written down, ask what the thing is for and what people would worry about. Settling that worry strengthens the argument.