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Reconstructing dense arguments

Understand each item before testing yourself. Choose honestly whether it already feels familiar or needs practice.

1 of 5Expression

The governing claim is not simply…, but…

Separate the main argument from its broad topic.

Example

The governing claim is not simply…, but…

Distil a dense argument into its governing claim, supporting logic, qualifications, and unresolved tension without losing their relationship.

The governing claim is not simply…, but…
Expression
Separate the main argument from its broad topic.
The governing claim is not simply…, but…
The argument proceeds in two strands.
Expression
Map parallel or linked lines of reasoning.
The argument proceeds in two strands.
The second claim follows insofar as…
Expression
Show the condition connecting two claims.
The second claim follows insofar as…
A crucial qualification is…
Expression
Restore a limit that affects the argument’s reach.
A crucial qualification is…
The unresolved tension is whether…
Expression
State what the argument leaves open.
So the unresolved tension is whether better measurement would correct the imbalance or merely formalise a different one.