Level 5 — Advanced · Technical & Evidence-Based Writing
Task 73: Writing an Argument With a Hidden Assumption
Write an argument that leaves a real gap between evidence and conclusion, then name the assumption that quietly bridges it — the production side of Lesson 73's gap-finding skill.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this task, you should be able to:
- Write a short argument with a genuine gap between its evidence and its conclusion
- Name the specific hidden assumption connecting the two
- Say plainly whether that assumption is reasonable or shaky, and why
Introduction
Every argument leans on something it never says out loud. Lesson 73 taught you to find that hidden assumption when reading. This task asks you to build one on purpose, then expose it yourself — proof you understand exactly where the gap sits.
The Gap and the Bridge
Core Concept
Evidence alone rarely reaches a conclusion — an unstated assumption usually does the bridging. Sales rose after the new packaging launched. Therefore, the new packaging caused the increase only holds if you assume nothing else changed at the same time — no price cut, no seasonal demand shift, no competitor closure. That assumption is the gap, even though the sentence never mentions it.
Example
Employee satisfaction scores rose after the new office layout was installed. Therefore, the new layout improved satisfaction. Hidden assumption: nothing else affecting satisfaction changed during the same period. Is it reasonable? Only if the timing rules out other likely causes, like a recent pay increase.
Your Turn
Your Turn
Write a two-sentence argument (evidence, then a "therefore" conclusion) about a workplace change you're familiar with — a new process, tool, or policy — where the conclusion assumes something the evidence never actually proves. Then write one more sentence starting "Hidden assumption:" naming exactly what's being assumed, and one sentence judging whether it's reasonable.
Vocabulary in Context
bridgenounneutral
an unstated assumption connecting evidence to a conclusion (সংযোগকারী অনুমান)
Often with bridge the gap, an unstated bridge, logical bridge
“The unstated bridge is that fewer complaints mean higher satisfaction.”
rule outphrasal verbneutral
to eliminate a possibility as an explanation (বাদ দেওয়া)
Often with rule out the possibility, cannot rule out, rule out a cause
“Investigators have not ruled out human error.”
Model Answer
Show a model answer
Customer complaints dropped after the support team switched to a new ticketing system. Therefore, the new ticketing system reduced complaints. Hidden assumption: no other change — such as extra staff being hired, or a seasonal drop in order volume — happened at the same time. Is it reasonable? Only partly; the timing is suggestive, but without checking staffing levels and order volume for that period, the new system can't be credited with the drop on its own.
Self-Check
Self-Check
- Does your conclusion genuinely go beyond what the evidence alone proves?
- Did you name a specific, concrete hidden assumption — not a vague "other factors might exist"?
- Did you actually judge whether the assumption is reasonable, rather than just naming it?
Next: Writing 74 — Judging Whether Evidence Is Enough: writing a short case and deciding, explicitly, whether the evidence given is sufficient for the conclusion it's asked to support.