#6 - Poor writers often express mundane ideas with elaborate syntax and esoteric

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Main Point, Fill in the Blank. The correct answer choice is (D).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[ronaldofenomeno]

Hi, why is A) not correct?

Thanks in advance

[Luke Haqq]

Hi ronaldofenomeno!

I can see how (A) might seem like a contender. However, ultimately this is a variant of a must be true question, and (A) doesn't have to be true. That is, it's not necessarily the case that the underlying principle is that the simpler the style, the better the writing. It may be the case that some complexity over simplicity makes for better writing--the stimulus doesn't say one way or another.

What we do know from the stimulus is that "poor writers" use a writing style more complex than the ideas expressed. That first sentence of the stimulus provides insight into better versus worse writing according to the author, and it provides the grounds for selecting (D).

[PresidentLSAT]

Hi, why is A) not correct?

Thanks in advance

For future readers, open to some feedback as I test later in the year.


The comparison is too strong an absolute in A for me. E felt "safer." My approach was that inattentive readers and alert ones will take away what is meant to be expressed, and in this scenario, the elaborate syntax and esoteric vocabulary don't work for either side. It doesn't implicitly or explicitly mean the simpler, the better. What if it's too simple for alert readers? The closest I could find is "write in a way that both readers get what you are saying."

This was too much mental gymnastics for a 6th question lol

[Amber Thomas]

Hi PresidentLSAT!

You're right that Answer Choice A is too strong of an absolute. Poor writers use elaborate syntax and esoteric vocabulary to express mundane ideas-- however, it is entirely possible that good writers also use elaborate syntax and esoteric vocabulary to express interesting and complex ideas. Therefore, we can't boil our conclusion down to "simpler = better."

The main things the stimulus focuses on is a) the complexity of the writing style, and b) the complexity of the ideas expressed. Poor writers have complex writing but simple ideas. Inattentive readers are impressed by the language, but don't understand the ideas. Attentive readers understand the ideas, but are unimpressed by the language. Therefore, it logically follows that ideas should be as, if not more complex than the writing used to express them.

I hope this helps!