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target2015
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(D) challenges the conclusion of the argument directly. Progenitor ("originator", "founder") of the written text is directly challenged by the fact that existing structures help generate written text.

With the same logic option B is also a good contender as it also says that written literature is derived from spoken legends/stories etc
Let me know if I am missing something.
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D it is... The clear winner. This is the only choice that addresses the stem correctly.
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Main difficulty of the argument is that "At the heart of European Romanticism was the humanist presupposition that language can depict the real world and convey what the author wants to say, and that the author writes to communicate his experiences or thoughts" language can be wrtitten and spoken. This creates little ambigiuty. But lets dive and see what happens :wink:

target2015
At the heart of European Romanticism was the humanist presupposition that language can depict the real world and convey what the author wants to say, and that the author writes to communicate his experiences or thoughts. Thus, the author becomes the creator and, hence, the progenitor of what he writes. (Conclusion)

The most important thing in this argument is the conclusion, so we must find something that would hurt the conclusion that author isn't sole founder of what he writes

Though I am not very strong at pre-thinking, in my opinion assumption here would be "author doesn't use or refer to other written sources while creating his wrtitten work "

Which of the following statements represents the strongest challenge to the conclusion above?

(A) At the core of any literature is the voice of the writer.- . This is additional premise which doesn't weaken our conclusion and affect our conclusion. We are concerned about originality of writing. If you go deeper this would strengthen the argument that author is the creator since his voice is the basis for what he writes


(B) Writing is viewed as a derivative of the spoken.- So what ? Argument doesn't challenge this probability. If we negate this " writing isn't viewed as derivative of the spoken" this doesn't nor strengthen nor affect any any level our argument. While text can be spoken by other it doesn't challenge the issue that author is the creator of the "written form" of what is spoken.

(3) Most authors seek inspiration from observations of life around them.- Argument doesn't says that authors can't seek inspiration or inspiration is equivalent to copying. This doesn't affect our conclusion.

(D) Authors inhabit existing structures that help them to generate written text. - Directly attacks the assumption and weakens conclusion that authors are progenitors. They aren't sole creators, because they use other's work, meaning they are copying.


(E) If literacy is considered the cornerstone of civilization, then to be literate is to be able to read and write.- This is clearly Irrevelevant, since we don't care about literacy level

Let me know you point of view :-D and press +1 if you found this a little helpful
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Argument:
"At the heart of European Romanticism was the humanist presupposition that language can depict the real world and convey what the author wants to say, and that the author writes to communicate his experiences or thoughts. Thus, the author becomes the creator and, hence, the progenitor of what he writes."

Conclusion:
The author becomes the creator and progenitor of what he writes.

Premises:
Language can depict the real world.
Language can convey what the author wants to say.
The author writes to communicate his experiences or thoughts.
Key Assumption:
The author's writings are solely derived from his own experiences or thoughts.

Evaluate Answer Choices:
(A) At the core of any literature is the voice of the writer.
Does not challenge the idea that the author is the progenitor.
(B) Writing is viewed as a derivative of the spoken.
Irrelevant to the argument about the author as the progenitor.
(C) Most authors seek inspiration from observations of life around them.
Supports the idea that authors are influenced by external factors but does not directly challenge the author's role as progenitor.
(D) Authors inhabit existing structures that help them to generate written text.
Challenges the conclusion by implying that authors are influenced by existing structures, thus not solely creating their work.
(E) If literacy is considered the cornerstone of civilization, then to be literate is to be able to read and write.
Irrelevant to the argument about the author's creative role.
Conclusion:
Choice (D) is the strongest challenge to the conclusion as it suggests that authors are influenced by external structures, undermining the idea that they are the sole progenitors of their work.
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