Passage Discussion

[tzyc]

Could you post a scale with short summary for each paragraph to help me understand the passage better?
It seems the author is neutral here...?

Thank you

[ohthatpatrick]

Sure thing.

Yeah, I agree the tone is basically neutral. In fact, there's not REALLY a scale, except for an implied one:

Perception vs. Reality

A lot of LSAT passages are written from the voice of an author who "wants to set the record straight" or "clarify a misconception".

In this passage, I think the author is trying to clarify the misconception that the American steel industry is troubled by explaining, "only PART of the industry is troubled".



PASSAGE MAP
P1 - First sentence is basically main point. Author identifies the 3 branches of the steel industry.

P2 - Author explains why branches 2 (minimills) and 3 (specialty-steel mills) are actually still doing okay.

P3 - Author explains why branch 1 (integrated producers) are struggling

P4 - Author contrasts the successful strategies of branches 2 and 3 with the unsuccessful strategy of branch 1.


Hope this helps.