Statement and Arguments: Types, Methods and Examples
Statement and arguments is a critical reasoning topic in which a statement is followed by two arguments, one in favour and one against, and the candidate has to decide whether each argument is strong or weak. A strong argument is one that is directly related to the statement, is significant, and is based on facts, logic or a sound principle. A weak argument is trivial, emotional, unrelated or illogical.
The special feature of this topic is that the candidate must judge the quality of the reasoning and not the personal opinion. A strong argument may support or oppose the statement; what matters is whether the reason given is sound and important. This article gives a complete deep-study revision of statement and arguments. It explains the basic terms, the tests of a strong argument, the types of statements, the common mistakes and a practical preparation plan so that the topic becomes a reliable source of marks in APSC, ADRE, Assam Police, SSC and Railway examinations.
Basic Terms
- Statement: the sentence on which the arguments are based, often a proposal or a decision.
- Argument: a reason given for or against the statement.
- Strong argument: a reason that is directly related, significant and logically sound.
- Weak argument: a reason that is trivial, emotional, unrelated or illogical.
- For argument: a reason in favour of the statement.
- Against argument: a reason opposed to the statement.
- Premise: the fact on which an argument rests.
- Rebutta: a reason that answers or weakens another argument.
- Ambiguous argument: a reason whose meaning or relevance is unclear.
- Universal truth: a principle accepted everywhere, which makes an argument strong.
Core Concepts and Tests of a Strong Argument
- A strong argument is directly and clearly related to the statement.
- It must be significant or important, and not a trivial or minor point.
- It should be based on facts, logic or a sound principle, not on emotion or sentiment.
- A strong argument can be either in favour of or against the statement.
- Comparisons, examples and well-known principles can make an argument strong.
- A weak argument is often an appeal to pity, fear or personal feeling, or an unrelated claim.
- Both arguments can be strong, or only one, or neither.
- The truth in real life is not the test; the test is whether the reason is sound and important.
Types of Statement and Argument Questions
The first type gives a statement and two arguments, and asks which of them is strong. The second type is based on a public policy, a scheme or a decision, and asks whether the arguments for and against are strong. The third type gives more than two arguments and asks the candidate to sort them into strong and weak. The fourth type uses a statement that contains a proposal, and the arguments discuss its merits and demerits. In all the types the method is the same: identify the key issue, test each argument for directness, importance and logic, and then classify it.
Steps to Solve a Statement and Argument Question
First, read the statement and identify the key issue or the proposal. Second, read each argument and check whether it is directly related to that issue. Third, ask whether the reason is important and not trivial. Fourth, check whether the reason is based on fact or logic rather than emotion. Fifth, classify each argument as strong or weak. Finally, select the standard answer option that matches your classification, such as only the first is strong, only the second is strong, both are strong, or neither is strong.
Examination Trends
In competitive examinations statement and arguments is a regular topic and usually carries two to four marks. The two-argument format with one for and one against is the most common. The arguments are often about a policy, a ban, a scheme or a change in a rule. The topic tests judgment, so the candidate must read the options as reasons and not as opinions, and must not be swayed by the side that sounds more emotional.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not treat personal opinion or emotion as a strong argument.
- Do not accept a trivial point as a strong argument.
- Do not accept an argument that is only loosely or indirectly related.
- Do not reject an argument merely because it is against the statement.
- Do not assume that both arguments must be of the same strength.
- Do not let the length of an argument decide its strength; a short sound reason is strong.
How to Prepare This Topic
Begin by learning the three tests of a strong argument: directness, importance and logic. Then practise on simple statements about daily matters until the classification becomes easy. After that, attempt policy and scheme statements, which are common in the exam. Note down every argument that you wrongly called strong because it sounded emotional or familiar. Practise two or three questions a day with careful reading of the explanation, and the topic will become a quick and dependable scorer in the critical reasoning section.
One last point is that an argument must be judged by itself and not by whether you agree with the statement. A reason may sound harsh yet be strong because it is logical and important, and a reason may sound noble yet be weak because it is emotional and unconnected. In the examination, read each argument twice before classifying it, and check specifically whether it is directly related, significant and free from emotional appeal. Practice with this discipline turns statement and arguments into a quick and dependable topic in the critical reasoning section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a strong argument?
A strong argument is a reason that is directly related to the statement, is important or significant, and is based on facts, logic or a sound principle.
Can a strong argument be against the statement?
Yes. Strength depends on the quality of the reason, not on the side it takes. An argument can be strong whether it supports or opposes the statement.
Can both arguments be strong?
Yes. Both the for and the against argument can be strong if each is directly related and logically sound.
What makes an argument weak?
An argument is weak if it is trivial, emotional, unrelated to the statement, or logically unsound.
Is personal experience a strong argument?
Generally it is not, because an argument must rest on a sound and universally acceptable reason rather than on one person's experience.