Identify Premises
and Evidence
Master the skill of breaking arguments into their building blocks: the claims that support a conclusion and the evidence behind them.
What Is an Argument?
In critical reasoning, an argument is not a disagreement: it is a structured set of statements in which one or more premises are offered as reasons to accept a conclusion. Every GRE verbal passage that asks you to analyze reasoning contains at least one argument.
Premise vs. Conclusion
What Counts as Evidence?
Evidence is a specific type of premise: it consists of facts, data, examples, or observations that ground a premise in the real world. While all evidence is a premise, not all premises are evidence: some premises are themselves sub-conclusions or general principles.
Anatomy of an Argument
Signal Words That Reveal Structure
Premise vs. Assumption
| Premise | Assumption | |
|---|---|---|
| Stated? | Explicitly stated in the passage | Unstated: taken for granted |
| Role | Provides direct support for the conclusion | Bridges a gap between premise and conclusion |
| GRE Test? | "Which of the following is a premise?" | "Which assumption does the argument rely on?" |
| Example | "Studies show coffee improves focus." | (Unstated: those studies apply to the people in question.) |
How to Identify Premises and Evidence
Worked Example: Simple Argument
Worked Example: Intermediate
Worked Example: Complex Argument
Sub-Conclusions: Premises That Are Also Claims
Some arguments have intermediate conclusions (also called sub-conclusions). These statements serve a dual role: they are supported by evidence below them and they support the main conclusion above them.
Types of Evidence on the GRE
Background vs. Premise
Not every sentence in a passage is part of the argument. Some sentences provide context or background information without actively supporting the conclusion. Learning to filter these out is critical.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Summary: Argument Components
| Component | Definition | How to Spot It |
|---|---|---|
| Conclusion | The main claim to be accepted | "Therefore," "thus," "so" |
| Premise | A stated reason supporting the conclusion | "Because," "since," "given that" |
| Evidence | Facts, data, or examples backing a premise | Statistics, case studies, expert citations |
| Assumption | Unstated belief linking premise to conclusion | Not in the text: must be inferred |
| Background | Context that does not support the conclusion | Removing it does not weaken the argument |
Question 1 of 5
"Hybrid vehicles are better for the environment than traditional gasoline cars. Since hybrid engines produce 30% fewer carbon emissions per mile, and since the manufacturing process for hybrids has become nearly as clean as that for gasoline cars, consumers who care about the environment should choose hybrids."
Which of the following serves as a premise in this argument?
Question 2 of 5
"The local library's budget should not be reduced. Last year, library visits increased by 18%, and the children's reading program served 2,000 more families than the year before. Clearly, the library is more important to the community than ever."
The statement "library visits increased by 18%" functions as:
Question 3 of 5
"Studies conducted at three major universities found that students who sleep at least seven hours per night score an average of 12% higher on standardized tests. Sleep deprivation impairs memory consolidation and cognitive function. Therefore, schools should consider later start times."
Which statement is the conclusion of this argument?
Question 4 of 5
"The new recycling program will succeed in reducing landfill waste. Given that similar programs in Portland and San Francisco reduced waste by 25%, and given that our city has a higher baseline recycling rate, we can expect even greater reductions."
The reference to Portland and San Francisco primarily serves as:
Question 5 of 5
"Remote work increases employee satisfaction and reduces overhead costs. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 67% of remote workers reported higher job satisfaction. Additionally, companies like Twitter and Shopify have reported saving millions in office space costs. Thus, businesses should adopt permanent remote work policies."
In this argument, the statement "Remote work increases employee satisfaction and reduces overhead costs" is best described as: