Which statement best captures the purpose of identifying the main conclusion in an argument?

• A. Identify a specific example used to defend the claim.
• B. Find the sentence that states the overall claim in the author's own words.
• C. List all premises in order.
• D. Find a sentence that refutes the claim.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is to identify the central claim the author is making—the point the whole argument is built to defend. The best choice describes the sentence that states that overall claim in the author’s own words. That matters because paraphrasing the conclusion in the author’s wording shows precisely what the argument is trying to establish, including its scope and what would count as winning the argument.

Think of the argument as a case built to convince you of one main claim. The sentence that presents that claim directly is the conclusion you’re trying to identify. A would be a specific example used to back up the claim, which is evidence or a premise, not the conclusion itself. C would map out the premises, not the conclusion. D would point to a sentence that challenges or refutes the claim, which is a counterargument, not the conclusion the author is asserting.