Analogy vs. Example

[T.J.]

Can someone explain the difference between arguing by analogy and by giving examples? I feel like still struggling with this concept. Please give an example for each. Thanks a lot!

[christine.defenbaugh]

These two descriptions are actually used interchangeably quite often. They are extremely similar. In the vast majority of situations, I wouldn't worry about the distinction between these ideas.

If you ever found yourself in a situation where you absolutely had to differentiate these, you can, but I'd honestly be surprised to see the LSAT require this level of specificity. (If there's a question that does this, I'd love to see it - feel free to post it or PM me!) If I saw these in two answer choices, I'd expect there to be some *other* critical difference between them that would definitively kill one answer.

That being said, I would expect "using examples" to describe an argument that is attempting to prove a general concept, and is using specific examples to back it up.

All boys must like sports. After all, Joey likes sports. So do Jack and Bob.

Argument by analogy, on the other hand, is more likely to use specific examples to support a conclusion about *another specific example* - the author would be drawing an analogy between the premise scenario and the conclusion scenario.

Jackie must be late to class. After all, she was running across campus, and every time I see Billy running across campus, he is late to class.

One reason you might see the terms used interchangeably for the second version is that it's easy to think of this argument as having an implied intermediary step: Every time Billy is running, he's late; therefore if someone is running, they are late; therefore if Jackie is running, she's late.

That implied general principle in the middle is being supported by the specific example about Billy.

Don't get too caught up trying to split hairs between these types of terms unless you have no other choice! (and if you think you have to split this kind of hair, there is probably something that you've overlooked!)

Does that help a bit?

[elanaminkoff]

A question i saw which maybe not entirely, but largely hinged on this is p53. section 3 question 24.
the questions asks how the argument proceeds, so its a general structure type.
I chose the correct answer, but with little confidence. it starts with an example and then a general principle is given, but it seems like the "general principle" serves as the conclusion in the argument as well, which then leaves just the analogy vs. example issue to deal with.

hopefully you can help clear this up for me.

Thanks!

[tommywallach]

Hey Elena,

Please post about that in the thread in question. Thanks!

-t

[GenesaC949]

To Christine - there is at least one question that asks students to make this differentiation. I actually found this post by googling what the difference is between an example and an analogy on the LSAT, as I was struggling with a specific question (Dec 2007, LR Sec 3, Q24).

The prompt is: "The professor's argument proceeds by"

The stimulus is: "Professor: A person who can select a beverage from 50 varieties of cola is less free than one who has only these 5 choices: wine, coffee, apple juice, milk, and water. It is clear, then, that meaningful freedom cannot be measured simply by the number of alternatives available; the extent of the differences among the alternatives is also a relevant factor."

I was stuck between answer choice A (supporting a general principle by means of an example) and answer choice C (supporting its conclusion by means of an analogy). I knew the conclusion was "freedom cannot be measured simply by the number of alternatives available," but I could not figure out whether the coffee/water/cola thing was an example or an analogy.

Your description really helped a lot! After reading what you wrote, I realized that they were not using the specific beverage example to support a conclusion about another specific example. They were using the specific beverage example to support a general principle. Thus, I correctly answered A.

So thank you! I just wanted to let you know there is a question out there where LSAT takers have to differentiate between the two.

[CourtneyV161]

Excellent explanation!

So funny that I found this thread by Google searching for 'the difference between analogy and example' for the exact same question 53: S3: Q24 too!

I wanted to add that even after reading this explanation and re-reading the stimulus that I wanted a more concrete separation of the two concepts moving forward. I disagree a bit with the original response that this doesn't happen often, I have found myself stuck in a nuance loop more than once and often its at the end of a section!

So I Googled 'definition of analogy' ...

Analogy:
1. comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.[/b]
2. a correspondence or partial similarity.[/b]
3. a thing that is comparable to something else in significant respects.[/b]

...And I was left feeling like "Eh. Not so helpful. All of those would fit both answer choices I am debating."

Then I Googled 'definition of example'

Example:
1. a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule.

BAM. That is exactly what the author's method of reasoning is and I knew it the moment I read it.

My point here is that when we are studying in a "hair-splitting" concept or stuck between two very similar answer choices (which as the questions get harder happens quite often) it can be helpful to look up the most basic definitions of words.

BONUS: Definitions often include synonyms. Which test makers LOVE to use in correct answer choices! Think: Searching for a rephrase of the conclusion or role of a statement in answer choices. You'll see synonyms all day long. Its logically equivalent to the LG "Rule Substitution" Same effect, stated differently. Same meaning, different word. Despite how different each section type can be, some of the same skills are tested over and over.