Question 164·Medium·Command of Evidence
A literary scholar is analyzing the publication history of a bestselling fantasy novel that first appeared without an epilogue and was re-released a year later in a “revised and expanded” second edition containing a thirteen-page epilogue. The scholar argues that the epilogue was added chiefly to promote the author’s recently announced sequel series rather than to provide artistic closure.
Which statement, if true, would most directly support the scholar’s argument?
For “support the argument” questions, first restate the claim in your own words and identify its key elements (here: epilogue added mainly for marketing the sequel, not for artistic closure). Then ask: What kind of evidence would prove this?—usually a clear statement of motive or cause from someone involved (author, publisher) that matches the claim. Scan the choices for language that directly states why something was done (words like “so that,” “in order to,” “because”) instead of answers that merely give examples, descriptions, or unrelated details. Pick the option that most clearly and directly matches the argument’s specific claim, even if other choices seem loosely related to the same topic.
Hints
Focus on the kind of claim being made
Reread the scholar’s argument and identify whether it is about what happens in the story or about why the epilogue was added.
Look for evidence of motive, not just description
Ask which option gives information about the reason the epilogue was added, rather than just describing its content or other changes in the edition.
Pay attention to promotional vs. artistic reasons
The argument contrasts promoting a sequel with artistic closure. Which choice most clearly ties the epilogue to marketing or promotion of the sequel as its main purpose?
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the scholar’s argument
The scholar argues why the epilogue was added:
- It was added chiefly to promote the sequel series (a marketing purpose),
- Rather than to provide artistic closure (an artistic/storytelling purpose).
So we need evidence about the main motivation for adding the epilogue.
Define what ideal supporting evidence would look like
To most directly support a claim about motive, look for evidence that:
- Mentions who decided to add the epilogue (author, publisher, etc.), and
- Clearly states the reason was to help or advertise the upcoming sequel, not mainly to wrap up the story.
The best answer will show a cause-and-effect: epilogue added so that it could help the sequel.
Check each choice for a clear promotional motive
Now compare the choices to that standard:
- A: Describes what happens in the epilogue (a new character, a journey) but does not say why the epilogue was added. It could still be for artistic reasons.
- C: Says the author likes epilogues as endings. That points toward an artistic preference, not toward marketing.
- D: Mentions correcting typos in the revised edition, which is unrelated to the purpose of the epilogue itself.
Only one choice directly states that the epilogue was requested for a marketing/bridge-to-sequel reason.
Select the answer that directly matches the claimed motive
Choice B says internal emails show the publisher requested an epilogue so the revised edition could be marketed as a “bridge” to the forthcoming sequel. This explicitly gives a marketing purpose (to serve as a bridge and help sell/position the sequel) as the reason the epilogue was added, which most directly supports the scholar’s argument that the epilogue was added chiefly to promote the sequel rather than for artistic closure. Therefore, B is the best answer.