Many arguments are built in steps. A claim supported by some premises can then be used as a premise for something further, like links in a chain.
Key idea
A claim that is supported and then used to support another claim is an intermediate conclusion. The main conclusion is the claim that everything else finally supports.
Why it works
Long arguments are easier to judge one step at a time. If an early step fails, everything built on it fails too, so it helps to see which claims hold up which.
Worked example: Two conclusions
"The cat hasn't eaten since yesterday, and it is hiding all day. So the cat is probably sick. Sick pets should see a vet soon. So we should take the cat to the vet."
- The first two sentences support "the cat is probably sick".
- That claim then joins "sick pets should see a vet soon" to support the last sentence.
- Nothing is offered as supported by "we should take the cat to the vet", so it is the main conclusion.
Answer: Intermediate: "The cat is probably sick." Main: "We should take the cat to the vet."
Worked example: The last sentence is not always the main one
"We should move Saturday's game, because the field will likely flood. After all, heavy rain is forecast, and the field floods in heavy rain."
- "The field will likely flood" is supported by the forecast and the drainage fact.
- It in turn supports "we should move Saturday's game", which comes first.
Answer: Main conclusion: "We should move Saturday's game."
Common mistake
Picking the intermediate conclusion as the main one because it has "so" in front of it. Both conclusions may have indicator words. Ask which claim is never used to support anything else: that is the main conclusion.