PrepTest 110

Incorrect. This answer is about how ads should be framed not what lit departments should teach so it doesn't address Wigmore's argument.

Incorrect. Wigmore specifically notes that her argument doesn't care if ads are or are not true literary works ("might or might not be") so this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. This answer is about what students should do, not what the lit department should teach, so it doesn't address the conclusion.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument/Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed/Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
PC: Ads are frivolous, so the lit dept. should focus on real literary works and not ads.

PW: Ads have a bad effect on society because people can't tell their real messages. The lit dept. teaches critical reading skills, so they should study ads.

Answer Anticipation:
First off, it's important to note which argument we're strengthening with a principle here. The stem asks about Wigmore's argument—the second one—so let's focus there.

As with all Strengthen (Principle) questions, we should expect the conclusion to draw a judgment that's based on a description of a situation. The principle should justify that judgment based on the details of that situation. It's almost always best to start by focusing on the judgment, and then finding the details that the speaker clearly believes justifies that judgment.

Here, Wigmore's judgment takes the form of a recommendation—the lit department should study ads ("it is the . . . responsibility" backs up "should" because you should do that which is your responsibility to do—it's a part of the definition).

Why? Because focusing on them will allow students to analyze them critically which is important because they have a "powerfully detrimental effect on society."

Putting the judgment and relevant details together we should anticipate a principle that is similar to:
If something has a bad impact on society that can be counteracted by learning to critically analyze it then the lit department should include the study of it.

Answer Explanation:
Wigmore notes that ads do have a detrimental effect on society so this answer applies to them. And it establishes that the lit department should teach students how to analyze these which justifies the conclusion. This answer is therefore correct.

Key Takeaway:
Strengthen (Principle) questions base judgments on details without establishing a principle connecting them. Answers will connect the relevant details to that judgment so start with the conclusion and work backwards.

Incorrect. Wigmore notes that she believes the department should teach something specifically, which suggests that the teachers shouldn't be allowed to teach whatever they want—they should teach how to critically analyze ads, regardless of if they want to.