The word IF in Justify and strengthen questions

[Hithere17]

Hi,

I am hoping you can clear up a question that came up.

When I see the word IF could this indicate a strengthen OR justify question?

Does seeing the word IF eliminate the possibility of an assumption question?

Thanks so much.

[David Boyle]

Hi,

I am hoping you can clear up a question that came up.

When I see the word IF could this indicate a strengthen OR justify question?

Does seeing the word IF eliminate the possibility of an assumption question?

Thanks so much.

Hello Hithere17,

"If" is a flexible word. You could have either a Strengthen or Justify question, maybe. More likely a Justify question, since "if" tends to be a "sufficient" indicator, which comports with what Justify questions do (force the conclusion to be true). Strengthen questions often start with "Which". However, often an "if" appears, e.g., "Which one of these statements, if valid, most strengthens the conclusion above"?

"If" tends not to appear in assumption questions too much, since they are more about "necessary" than "sufficient". However, anything could happen, e.g., "Which one of these conditions, if true, is required to reach validly the conclusion above"?

Hope this helps,
David

[Hithere17]

Thank you for the timely response.

So...if the question is:

"Which do you think most strongly justifies, if true, the conclusion"?

The answer would fall into support since a the answer to a justify question has to support the answer by 100%?

Thank you.

[David Boyle]

Thank you for the timely response.

So...if the question is:

"Which do you think most strongly justifies, if true, the conclusion"?

The answer would fall into support since a the answer to a justify question has to support the answer by 100%?

Thank you.

Hello,

Yes, it would tend to be a Strengthen question, because of the factor you noted.

David

[Hithere17]

Great. Thank you:)