Conclusions

@JeremyG, The question box is blank. Did you have a specific question you wanted to ask about this problem? If you do, let us know. In the meantime, I'll go over the correct answer. The overall conclusion of the argument is "this is a specious distinction," which means that there isn't a true distinction between "literary" and "genre" fiction. The claim we're looking at is used as support for the overall conclusion, so it's a premise. The claim helps to support the intermediate conclusion that no work should be interpreted, which is used as support for the main conclusion. We need an answer choice that says the claim that when we evaluate a work principally for its themes and ideas, we cut ourselves off from the work's emotional impact is a premise. (B) says, "It is offered as support for the conclusion." This is exactly what we're looking for. It's a premise. (B) is our correct answer choice. Does this answer your question? Let us know if you have any other questions!

Hi Ravi, reposting my question below. This is a recurring bug. I understand that the argument's conclusion is: "But this is a specious distinction—not because every work should be interpreted, but because NO WORK SHOULD BE." As such the statement that "When we evaluate a work principally for its themes and ideas, we cut ourselves off from the work's emotional impact" offers support for that conclusion. But how can we know for sure that this is the case rather than the reverse? Couldn't "NO WORK SHOULD BE" be an intermediate conclusion? Your answer is very helpful - I misunderstood what the conclusion in the argument was!

@JeremyG, your response is blank, so I'm not sure what you intended to say. Do you have other questions on this one? Let us know if you do!

Why is this b and not c