We’ve looked at assumptions and principles and have looked at arguments in terms of what makes them strong and what makes them week. Now, let’s look into the structure of an argument in more detail with questions that require you to ‘match the structure’ or do ‘parallel reasoning’.

What’s parallel reasoning?

Parallel reasoning is when you’re given an argument and then asked to find the answer choice that would be the same, order wise, if you were to put it side-by-side (parallel). It’s pretty much a fancy word for a question where you ‘match the structure’.

How to do parallel reasoning

As with all ‘thinking skills’ questions, you have a general guideline but the hard part is in reading and understanding what you’ve read, being able to identify parts and then seeing how they connect together.

We’ll look at a process for doing parallel reasoning and use it to answer the example question.

Here’s a process to do parallel reasoning:

1. Identify the conclusion and the evidence and put this in notation form e.g., use symbols (this reduces things down so you can see the linkages).
2. Show the structure in symbols.
3. Eliminate the answer choices that do not match up with the structure.
4. Compare any remaining choices and make judgement calls on what they’re trying to say.

Let’s see it in action now with a worked example.

Example Question/s

Watch video for explanation of the following question/s:

Quietly-spoken students are more likely to be ignored by their teachers unless they have exceptional skill in a particular subject.
I am a quietly-spoken student without exception skill in any subject and so I will most likely be ignored by my teacher.

Which of the following most closely parallels the reasoning used in the argument?

A. High temperatures and high humidity cause thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are not created unless both high temperatures and higher humidity are present.
B. Without nuclear fusion energy, space travel can only happen with a powerful engine. Space travel is the last frontier.
C. Without high temperatures, thunderstorms can still be created with high humidity. Thunderstorms cannot be created unless there are high temperatures and electrical activity.
D. Space travel that uses nuclear fusion energy doesn’t pollute the air. Space travel that does not use nuclear fusion energy ends up polluting the air.

Key Rules to remember

• Parallel reasoning is about matching the structure, “the links” between pieces of information. This means that you may be given different topics to match the structure with – remember, you’re not matching up topic areas.
• Start by identifying conclusions and evidence and notate them.
• Show the structure with notation and arrows.
• Evaluate and eliminate options that do not match the structure diagram you have drawn, assuming that it is correct.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

Here’s a thought experiment #5.

Remember, there is no formal answer and this experiment is provided to help stimulate your creativity and critical thinking (a ‘thought experiment’ is provided at the end of every checkpoint except checkpoint 18).

Thought experiment 5:

When you help someone else, do you do it to make them feel good or to make yourself feel good? How can you be sure? And if it leads to the same result, is one better than the other? Why?

Take your time to work through this thought experiment as it is not assessed and provided to help develop your deeper thinking skills. Think about various components of the question. What questions will you ask yourself and how do you answer your questions?

Now, let’s turn to the checkpoint questions.

Click on the button below and start your practice questions. We recommend doing untimed mode first, and then, when you're ready, do timed mode.

Every question has two solutions videos after you complete the question. The first is a quick 60 second video that shows you how our expert answers the question quickly. The second video is a more in-depth 5-steps or less explainer video that shows you the steps to take to answer the question. It's really important that you review the second video because that's where you'll learn additional tips and tricks.

Once you're done with the practice questions, move on to the next checkpoint.

Now, let’s get started on your practice questions.

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