Guide to Watson Glaser Arguments: Strategies and Examples [2024]
The "Evaluation of Arguments" segment is the concluding part, being the fifth section of the Watson Glaser exam. It comprises 12 questions, each formatted as a multiple-choice query with two possible responses. In this concise tutorial, we will explore the framework of this segment, present an example of a solved question, and offer several strategies for achieving good results.
In every item of the Watson Glaser Assessment's "Evaluation of Arguments" section, you will encounter a question that can be answered with either "yes" or "no," accompanied by an argument.
Your objective is to assess whether the provided argument effectively and convincingly answers the posed question.
Ready to begin!
Evaluation of Arguments Example Practice Questions
Should a company allocate discretionary time for employees to engage in activities of their choice?
No, employees might spend their time off handling personal chores, running errands, or socializing with friends, which may not directly benefit the company.
The presented argument is significant and pertinent. Its importance lies in the potential advantages or disadvantages that the company could experience due to the policy in question.
Additionally, its relevance is evident as it directly tackles the core issue – the implications of granting employees free time. The mention of mundane activities like cleaning homes, running errands, and socializing with friends, though seemingly trivial, does not diminish the argument's relevance or significance.
These details may appear to trivialize the issue, but they do not alter the fundamental relevance or importance of the argument.
For more practice questions see the Watson Glaser sample test.
Strategies for Excelling in the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal's Argument Evaluation Section
Tip #1 – Dismiss Your Personal Opinions
The Watson Glaser test includes various sections, but it's the Evaluation of Arguments section that uniquely focuses on pressing and relevant social topics like wages and employer-employee relationships. This section is particularly important because these are the areas where personal opinions often overshadow objective judgment. Remember, the key is to maintain a clear, unbiased perspective when dealing with these topics.
Tip #2 – Significance and Relevance
To construct a strong argument, it is essential that it holds significant relevance and is directly pertinent to the question at hand. Conversely, an argument is deemed weak if it lacks direct relevance to the question, even if it carries substantial general significance. Additionally, arguments of minor importance or those addressing only trivial facets of the question are also considered weak.
Tip #3 – Accept The Argument as True
In our daily interactions, it's important to assess the factual accuracy of arguments presented to us. However, for the sake of better understanding and analysis, it's beneficial to initially approach every argument as if it were true. This includes arguments that may appear entirely implausible or those you fundamentally disagree with. Cultivating this mindset is challenging, yet practicing it is crucial for developing a more comprehensive and empathetic perspective..
Tip #4 – Remove the “Fluff”
In the given example, the original argument:
"No – the employee's free time will be spent cleaning their homes, running errands, and visiting friends. The company will not benefit from this."
is simplified to:
"No – allowing employees to have free time will not be beneficial to the company"
This revision effectively strips away the extraneous details about how employees might use their free time. By doing so, it becomes clearer that the core of the argument is focused on the lack of direct benefits to the company from employee free time. The "fluff," which in this case includes specific examples of activities employees might engage in, is removed to highlight the main point more directly.
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