Strengthen and Its Examples for CLAT - Practice Questions & MCQ

Understanding Strengthening Arguments:

• Strengthening an argument means making it more convincing by providing additional evidence or reasons.
• This process involves identifying the gaps or weaknesses in the argument and filling them with relevant and supportive information.

Components of Strengthening an Argument:

• Identifying the Main Argument:
• Start by understanding the central claim or conclusion that the argument is making. This forms the foundation you want to strengthen.
   
• Identifying Weaknesses or Gaps:
• Carefully read the argument and identify any weaknesses, assumptions, or areas where more evidence is needed. These are the points you'll want to address.
   
• Adding Supportive Evidence:
• Choose the option that provides the most relevant and compelling evidence to fill the identified gaps. This evidence should logically and coherently strengthen the main argument.

Examples:
Let's explore some more examples to illustrate how this works:

Example 1:

• Argument: "Building more public libraries will improve literacy rates in our city."
• Weakness: The argument lacks evidence to support the claim.
• Strengthening Option: "Cities with more public libraries have shown higher literacy rates among their residents."In this case, the strengthening option addresses the weakness by providing a relevant fact that supports the argument.

Example 2:

• Conclusion: "Investing in research and development is essential for a company's long-term success."
• Weakness: The conclusion lacks data or examples.
• Strengthening Option: "Companies that consistently invest in research and development tend to innovate more, leading to higher profitability and market competitiveness."Here, the strengthening option adds a supporting fact that bolsters the conclusion.

Example 3:

• Argument: "Implementing stricter environmental regulations will harm the economy."
• Weakness: The argument assumes a negative impact without providing evidence.
• Strengthening Option: "Studies have shown that countries with strong environmental regulations have sustainable economic growth due to increased investment in clean technologies."This option offers a counterargument with supporting data, making the original argument less convincing.

Strategies for Strengthening Arguments 

• Identify Assumptions: Look for hidden assumptions in the argument. These are often the gaps you need to address to strengthen the argument.
• Evaluate Evidence: Consider the credibility of the evidence provided in the options. Strong evidence should come from reliable sources or be backed by data.
• Beware of Irrelevant Information: Avoid options that introduce unrelated information or go off-topic; they won't strengthen the argument.
• Consider Multiple Perspectives: Sometimes, you may need to evaluate both sides of an argument before deciding which one strengthens it.

Conclusion

• By mastering the art of strengthening arguments, you'll enhance your ability to think critically and make well-supported decisions in various aspects of life.