The argument brings up the question: "Should a journalist's story begin with the set phrase 'in a surprise development,' as routinely happens?"
Well, we are told that there are three possibilities: (1) surprise was merely the journalist's, (2) surprise was someone else's, and (3) lots of people were surprised. In each of these cases the argument explains that beginning the story with "in a surprise development" still is not a good idea.
Thus, journalist's should not begin their story with the set phrase, "in a surprise development," i.e. answer choice (E).
Hope that clears thing up! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
PhilidjelOctober 2, 2015
Why is E the correct answer?
PhilidjelOctober 2, 2015
Why is E the correct answer?
NazOctober 2, 2015
You can see the explanation for this in the thread above.
Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
1LatonyaMarch 4, 2017
Given your explanation, why wouldn't D be the correct answer as a more specific answer choice?
MehranMarch 5, 2017
@1Latonya no, there is no such thing as a better answer on the LSAT. There is the correct answer and four incorrect answers.
It is also important to remember that on Main Point questions there are two requirements: (1) it must be true and (2) it must be the main point of the argument.
The problem with (D) is that it passes neither of these prongs. The author never states that journalists should make the point that a development comes as a surprise when summing up a story.
This entire argument is about whether a journalist should begin a story with the set phrase "in a surprise development."
Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
HAMEE-YONGDecember 26, 2018
Why is a not a good answer choice?
HAMEE-YONGDecember 26, 2018
I meant answer choice A
Jacob-RDecember 27, 2018
Hi @HAMEE-YONG
The argument in the passage lists a limited universe of possibilities for when “in a surprise development†might be used, and makes clear that the use of the phrase should not be used in any of them.
The first is the surprise of the journalist, the second is the surprise of someone else, and the “one possibility remaining†indicates that “lots of people were surprised†is the only remaining possibility — thus the closed universe of options.
Answer A is therefore incorrect because it states that journalists should reserve use of the phrase for major developments that are truly unexpected, but we know from the closed universe of options in the argument that such a situation either doesn’t exist or falls into one of the three categories set out in the argument, or so the author believes. But that is why answer A does not “accurate state the conclusion†of the argument.
I hope that helps. Please let us know if you have further questions.
TejasMay 5, 2020
HAMEE,
The passage talks about whether or not to use the phrase in the introductory part, option A talks about reserving the use of the pharse 'for major developments that are truly unexpected' ,which is out of scope.
ValentinaJuly 11, 2020
How does the phrase "the one possibility remaining..." support the conclusion that "introducing stories with the phrase 'in a surprise development' is not a good journalistic practice"? In a way, doesn't it support the fact that it is fine to use the phrase "in a surprise development"? I.e. answer A
VictoriaJuly 14, 2020
Hi @ValentinaCC,
There are three points in the stimulus which support the conclusion outlined in answer choice (E) i.e. that introducing stories with the phrase "in a surprise development" is not good journalistic practice.
Journalists should not use the phrase if:
(1) The surprise was the journalist's because they should not insert themselves into their stories. (2) The surprise was someone else's because this surprise should have been specifically attributed to them. (3) Many people were surprised because there is no point in belabouring the obvious.
The phrase "the one possibility remaining..." is intended to confirm that there are only three possibilities. The passage tells us that journalists should not use the phrase if X or Y. The only remaining possibility is Z and journalists should not use the phrase here either. As there are only three possibilities, we can conclude that introducing stories using this phrase is not good journalistic practice.
Hope this is helpful! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
crosales91September 7, 2020
I am still confused why E is the answer and not A. The question asks "Should a journalists story begin the phrase "is a surprised development" ... AS ROUTINELY HAPPENS? Or in other words "as often". In answer choice A, the phrase "should reserve use" is saying that jouranlists should refrain from using as often or like the questions states "as routinely happens". This is why chose A. Whereas answer choice E is just answering whether using the phrase "in a surprise development" is or is not good journalistic practice. Again, not in the question the main point answers. Can you please explain why answer choice A is incorrect?
QueenAngelOctober 4, 2020
Why is the answer not B??
VictoriaNovember 13, 2020
Hi @crosales91,
Happy to help!
Answer choice (A) is incorrect because it outlines a scenario where journalists could/should use the phrase "in a surprise development."
The argument merely outlines three scenarios where journalists should not use the phrase. Therefore, the argument does not draw a conclusion about when journalists should use the phrase, meaning that answer choice (A) cannot be correct.
While you are correct in that the passage says journalists should refrain from using the phrase as often, answer choice (A) says that journalists should refrain from using the phrase as often and, instead, save it for scenarios where there are major developments that are truly unexpected.
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
VictoriaNovember 13, 2020
Hi @QueenAngel,
Happy to help!
Answer choice (B) is incorrect because it outlines the one scenario where journalists could/should use the phrase "in a surprise development."
The passage does not suggest a scenario where use of this phrase would be appropriate; rather, it outlines three scenarios where its use is inappropriate.
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
