4.1 Argument Structure & Unstated Assumptions

Core Components of an Argument

At the heart of the Executive Assessment (EA) Critical Reasoning section is the ability to deconstruct arguments. Every argument you encounter will be composed of specific structural elements. Understanding these elements is your first step toward mastering this question type.

The Building Blocks

1. The Conclusion: This is the author’s main point, claim, or prediction. It is what the author wants you to believe. Conclusions are often signaled by words like therefore, thus, hence, consequently, it follows that, clearly, and so.
2. The Premises: These are the facts, data, evidence, or background information used to support the conclusion. Premises are considered absolute truth within the context of the argument. You must accept them as given. Signal words include because, since, given that, as a result of, and due to.
3. Intermediate Conclusions: Sometimes an argument contains a sub-conclusion. This is a claim that is supported by premises but, in turn, acts as a premise to support the main conclusion.
4. Counter-premises: Also known as concessions, these are facts that might seem to work against the conclusion but are acknowledged by the author (often to be dismissed or outweighed). Look for words like although, even though, despite, while, and admittedly.
5. Unstated Assumptions: This is the hidden link. An assumption is something the author must believe to be true for the conclusion to logically follow from the premises, but it is never explicitly stated in the text.

Deconstructing a Sample Argument

Consider this brief argument:

“The new software system will increase our productivity. Our competitors saw a 20% increase in productivity after adopting this exact same software.”

Let’s break it down:

• Premise: Competitors saw a 20% productivity increase after adopting the software.
• Conclusion: The new software system will increase our productivity.
• Unstated Assumption: Our company is sufficiently similar to the competitors in ways that affect software implementation and productivity. (If our company lacks the computers to run the software, the conclusion fails.)

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The Role of Unstated Assumptions

Assumptions are the glue holding the premises and conclusion together. If the assumption is false, the argument falls apart. On the EA, Assumption questions will typically ask, “Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?” or “The conclusion relies on which of the following assumptions?”

Supporter vs. Defender Assumptions

Assumptions generally fall into one of two categories:

The Negation Technique

The most powerful tool for Assumption questions is the Negation Technique. Because an assumption is required for the argument to be valid, negating (or denying) the correct answer choice will completely destroy the argument’s logic.

Step-by-Step Negation Technique:

1. Isolate the conclusion and the premises.
2. Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 contenders.
3. Logically negate each contender. (e.g., “It is raining” becomes “It is not raining.” “All cats are gray” becomes “Not all cats are gray” or “At least one cat is not gray.”)
4. Check the effect of the negated statement on the conclusion.
5. If the negated statement causes the conclusion to logically collapse, you have found the correct assumption.

Example Application: Argument: To reduce traffic, the city should widen Main Street. Widening the street will allow more cars to travel at higher speeds. Contender A: There are no other streets that can be widened instead. Contender B: Widening Main Street will not encourage so many new drivers to use the road that traffic congestion remains the same or worsens.

Negating A: There are other streets that can be widened instead. (Does this destroy the conclusion that widening Main Street will reduce traffic? No. Both could be true.) Negating B: Widening Main Street will encourage so many new drivers that traffic congestion remains the same or worsens. (Does this destroy the conclusion? Yes! If congestion worsens, widening the street did not reduce traffic.) Therefore, B is the necessary assumption.

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Distinguishing Facts from Inferences

A critical skill in EA Verbal is distinguishing between what is stated as a fact (premise) and what is a logical deduction (inference) or an unsupported leap (flawed assumption).

• Facts are explicitly written in the passage. You cannot argue with them.
• Inferences are guaranteed conclusions drawn from the facts. If the facts are true, the inference must be true.
• Assumptions are unstated premises necessary for the author's specific conclusion.

Common Wrong Answer Traps in Assumption Questions

When evaluating answer choices, be on the lookout for these classic EA traps:

1. Out of Scope: The choice discusses a topic, timeline, or demographic not relevant to the core logic of the argument. (e.g., Argument is about reducing costs; the answer choice is about improving employee morale.)
2. Reverse Logic / Opposite: The choice actually weakens the argument rather than acting as a necessary assumption.
3. Too Strong / Extreme: Uses words like always, never, all, none when the argument only requires a moderate assumption (e.g., sometimes, some, most). Extreme language is rarely the correct answer in an Assumption question.
4. Irrelevant Comparison: Compares two groups or items in a way that doesn't affect the conclusion.
5. Restatement of a Premise: The choice simply repeats a fact already stated in the text. An assumption, by definition, is unstated.