1. Classify the Passage
Is this passage persuasive or descriptive? Is it about science, business, or humanities?

Passage Topics

The LSAT doesn’t want to favor anyone with a specific undergraduate degree, so it provides a mix of topics. If you can get a grasp on the passage style and topic, it’ll help you get a handle on the passage.

1. Science

These passages deal with topics such as chemistry and astronomy and involve debates relating to certain scientific issues. Note that science issues often involve cause-and-effect relationships (and the essay questions will revolve around this purported relationship). We covered cause-and-effect relationships in our Logical Reasoning Course. You might get strengthen/weaken style questions in this section as well.

Example Passage: Discussion in an engineering magazine on a new plan for solar energy.

Science is often subjective. We tend to think of scientific facts as static and of scientists as clear and logical. In reality, science is full of controversy and conflicting ideas. Science essays on the LSAT will often foray into controversy, and it’s your job as the reader to see the different points of view, the biases, and the conflict.

2. Law

These essays can be jargon intensive. While you may already have some background knowledge – it is usually beneficial if you do as it makes the passage easier to read – just remember that specific, outside knowledge will never be strictly necessary to answer an essay question. All the answers you need can be found in the essay itself.

Example Passage: Yale Law Review evaluation of modern labor law and its impact on productivity.

3. Cultural Studies

A large number of these essays focus on historically oppressed groups (their art, culture, and history). The passage’s tone will generally be sympathetic.

Example Passage: Commentary on the political achievements of the Iroquois Confederacy.

4. Society

These essays will discuss issues related to public policy. Any viewpoint won’t be terribly radical. It will adopt a tone and style that you would expect in a typical American law school.

What if you’re more woke than the LSAT?
If your personal understanding or view of an issue happens to contradict that of the author, arguing with it could inhibit comprehension of the author’s point of view. Leave your opinions out and try to understand the author’s point of view.

Next LSAT: Sep 08/ Sep 09

Passage Structures

Opinion

The author has an opinion and this is expressed in the essay. Often the author advocates a particular position, often against another point of view. Think of this author as an idea salesman who wants you to become a True Believer and reject opposing opinions.

Debate

These essays have two different points of view that often clash in a debate style. The two points of view are argued forcefully. This is common with the dual-passage format (which features two shorter passages instead of a longer one). You need to grasp the two opposing points of view and the areas of disagreement.

Synthesis

In this type of essay, there are generally two different points of view that spawn a third one, which combines elements of the original two.

Presentation Styles

Inquiry/Explanation

These passages will pose a question (a paradox or unexplained phenomenon) and then present possible answers/explanations. The controversy in the passage will revolve around the explanation (and so will the questions). The main point will be easy to spot: It’s the answer to the question.

Case Study

These passages will revolve around an event or an example of something happening, with a discussion of what it means or what can be discerned from it.

Cause and Effect

These passages will revolve around something causing something else and explanations for this causal relationship. Cause and Effect is a major topic in the Logical Reasoning section, as well. Review it here.

Categories

These passages will revolve around the classification of something. It can be classified in either one category or another.

The basic unit of every passage is the paragraph. We’ll review how to analyze paragraphs in the next lesson.

How to prep for the LSAT online. Explore remote LSAT courses and compare options.

Next LSAT: Sep 08/ Sep 09