LSAT Method of Reasoning Questions, Explained
Method questions ask: how did the author make their case? Not what they concluded, not whether it works — what technique did they use? Analogy, counterexample, general principle applied to a case — you're describing the move, not judging it.
How to approach them
- Identify the conclusion and evidence first — you can't describe the method without knowing both.
- Describe the move in plain words before looking at answers: "they gave a counterexample," "they argued by analogy," "they showed the principle leads to an absurd result."
- Match your description to the most abstract accurate answer. The right choice describes the structure, not the topic.
- Ignore whether the method is good or bad — that's flaw territory. Here you're just naming the technique.
The trap to watch for
Answers that describe the content instead of the method. "The author discusses economic policy" is content; "the author draws an analogy between two policies" is method. Always pick the structural description.
Know your starting point
Take the free diagnostic — you'll see exactly which question types are costing you points, including method of reasoning.