ARGUMENT PART / ROLE OF STATEMENT

What role does this sentence play in the argument?

Worksheet Flowchart

Argument Part / Role of Statement

Watch this first. Then review the Cheat Sheet tab.

STRATEGY

How to Approach Argument Part Questions

1

Read the Question Stem

Identify the referenced sentence. Underline or highlight it so you know exactly what you're looking for.

2

Read the Stimulus

Label each sentence by its role in the argument:

  • Conclusion
  • Premise / Support
  • Background / Context
  • Other People's View
  • Illustration / Example
3

Describe the Referenced Sentence

Predict its function in the argument. Always do this before looking at the answer choices. What role does it play?

4

Hunt for the Best Match

Go into hunt mode — look for the answer choice that matches your prediction. Start with the choices that sound closest to what you described.

5

Evaluate & Select

Ask: does this capture the role of the sentence? Pick the best description.

KEY CONCEPTS

Roles a Sentence Can Play

Common Roles in an Argument

When you break down a stimulus, every sentence is doing one of these jobs. Learning to spot them quickly is the core skill for this question type.

Conclusion The main claim the argument is trying to establish. Everything else is in service of this. Premise / Support Evidence or reasoning offered to back up the conclusion. Background / Context Sets the scene but doesn't directly support or oppose the conclusion. Other People's View A position or claim attributed to others. Usually the view the author disagrees with. Often introduced by "some argue," "many believe," or "critics claim." Illustration / Example A specific case used to clarify or support a broader point. Intermediate Conclusion A claim that is both supported by premises and used to support the main conclusion. It's a conclusion and a premise at the same time.
Always predict before you look at the answers. If you go in without a prediction, the answer choices all start to sound the same. Your prediction is your anchor.
Correct Answer Check

The right answer is descriptively accurate — every word in it reflects what's actually in the stimulus. If even one word doesn't match, it's wrong.

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