Comm1313W Spring 2011 Page 1

Quiz review
Comm 1313, J. Nordin

SKILL SUMMARY
Give a one-sentence definition of an argument.
Understand the four dimensions or forms of proof of an argument (ethos, logos,
pathos, kairos).
Assess an argument in terms of the four dimensions.
Decide if a claim is fact, value or policy.
Use the Toulmin model to evaluate claims, grounds and warrants
Understand and apply the concept of value systems in value claims. Be able to
defend, not just assert a value claim.
Understand and apply the practical issues (significance, harm, inherency, cost,
enforcement, etc.) that are involved in policy claims.
Evaluate an audience using the three categories.
Assess the rhetorical challenge of the advocate.
Evaluate the credibility of an advocate.
Use or choose an argument model.
Search for quality evidence.
Assess the credibility of a piece of evidence.
Summarize an argument.
Assess how an opposing argument affects your argument.
Assess how best to reply to an opposing argument.
Understand the seven forms of reasoning and be able to apply common fallacies
associated with each type.
Evaluate an actual argument using the concepts from the class.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
What is an argument?

What is the one-sentence definition of an argument?

How is an argument different from a conflict or fight? (One sentence)

Give a reason why conspiracy theories are hard to refute.

Four forms of proof

Pathos is best described as:

a) Appeal to logic
b) Appeal to the character of the speaker
c) Appeal to the emotions

Introduction to claims

For each claim below, indicate if it is a fact claim, value claim, or policy claim.
Energy drinks contain nothing to improve our physical health.
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Firemen are more attractive than tennis players.

I think we need to elect the Supreme Court.

Each of the following tasks or argument moves is primarily associated with just one of the fact, value,
policy triad of claim types. For each, identify which of the three it is used with.

The commonly accepted process of sifting evidence to decide if something is true.

Democratic issues of freedom, majority rule and the rule of law.
Can the plan be enforced?

America should develop a national health care system is a policy claim; If we had good health as a
nation, wed be able to focus on other, more valuable problems is a value claim. For each of the
following, indicate if they most directly apply to the value or the policy claim.

The costs of setting this up will be recovered in lower medical bills.

I want to live in a society that supports good health.
Defining good health is going to generate a lot of regulations and difficulties.
Insurance companies will undermine this after it passes.

Toulmin model

Each set of three statements contains a claim, a ground and a warrant. Indicate which is which by putting
a C, G or W by the appropriate sentence.
Requiring attendance does not teach self-reliance.
Attendance at classes should not be required.
People need to accept the consequences of their own actions.

In the following chose one that is a claim (mark with a C), one that is a warrant (mark with a W) and one
that is a ground (mark with a G). One statement will be unused.
The football team will be better next year.
The football team is ranked higher by several services than they were last year.
The football has improved its defense compared to last year.
The rating services are considered unbiased and a source of good information.

Value claims

You argue that it is morally wrong to have sex before marriage. Your opponent says that personal
liberty allows everyone to make their own decisions. What is going on in this value argument?

Value claims are all judged against a universal value system, true or false.

Policy claims

What is the problem here? I am opposed to drugs and will work tirelessly to remove them from society if
I am elected. [Applause. Sits down.]

Appealing to your audience

Which is not a component of the context of an argument?

a) Media b) Occasion c) your character d) your claim
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Take one of the three categories of audience analysis and explain what it means.

Read this claim and the four grounds and then answer the questions below.
Claim: You should support restrictions on abortion
G1: Abortion has many different moral, financial and religious implications.
G2: Abortion stops a beating heart.
G3: We need to push harder now to achieve victory and eliminate abortion.
G4: Abortion did not turn out as [name] expected. She thought it would be easy, but

Which would be the best ground to use for an audience that opposes abortion?

Which would be the best ground to use for an audience that is undecided?

Which would be the best ground to use for an audience that is in favor of abortion rights?

With a supportive audience who already agree, it would be pointless to spend your time just proving what
they already agree with. What are some alternative purposes of an argument in this situation?

Ethos: Credibility

Could you legitimately attack your opponents credibility in each of the following cases? Explain why in
one sentence.
1. He assures you on his own authority that nuclear power is safe. You discover he works for a company
that makes nuclear power plants.

2. He assures you on his own authority that nuclear power is safe. You discover he has been convicted for
being a child molester.

3. He assures you that nuclear power is safe. You discover that his mother burned to death in a nuclear
power accident.

4. He presents a series of arguments, based on many sources, to the effect that nuclear power is safe. You
discover that he works for a company that makes nuclear power plants.

Argument presentation models

In addressing a hostile audience would it generally be better to use a) Classical Model, b) Delayed Thesis

What is the difference between an introduction and a summary?

Evidence & sources

Pick one of the claims below and write 2 3 sentences either agreeing with the claim or disagreeing with
it. Clearly indicate which one you are responding to.

1. The only function of putting sources in your paper is to defend against plagiarism claims.
2. ..

For each pair, choose the one more likely to be the higher-quality source
An article on the editorial page of a paper.
An article by the investigation team of a paper.
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Summarizing

Which of the three sentences below is the best summary of the following article (circle the number or
otherwise indicate your choice).

From the Minnesota Daily:

When looking back on their first year, some college students think of beer pong and parties that end in a
long stumble home.

But for first-year biology student Diane Brown, the first few months at the University have been far from a
drunken haze. Instead, Brown has spent most of her weekends watching movies with friends, playing board
games and going to dinner without thinking about going out for a drink. Brown chose to join the new
Substance Free Living & Learning Community on the second floor of Middlebrook Hall. The University
offered the choice in response to students' requests for supportive, substance-free housing.

Brown, along with 13 other first-year students, a community adviser and a U-Crew peer mentor, signed a
contract to refrain from using alcohol, tobacco and drugs while living in the community.

The residents of the substance-free community come from different backgrounds, but remain a "tight-knit"
group compared to other communities, Brown said. "We all hang out together a lot; some of the other
houses on this floor don't do anything together," she said. The other bonus, she said, is focusing on
academics and studying without disruption from noisy, drunk students. (from the Minnesota Daily)

1. Students that are insecure about parties have a safe haven at the substance free living
environment.

2. In a new program this year at U of M, 14 students have chosen to live in a community while
pledging not to use alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

3. Most students at the U of M spend their first year getting drunk on weekends.

Rebuttal
You are arguing that we should do X. Youve provided three reasons, G1, G2 and G3. You read an
opponent who claims that G1 is minor and of no significance. How could you respond?

Where should your rebuttal argument go in your presentation?

Forms of Reasoning

For each of the following, indicate with a word or phrase what form of reasoning it uses (1 point each)
Sam is a pig.
I gave you four examples that support my claim.
This car is a joke.
Four out of five doctors who smoke prefer Camels cigarettes.

1 FOR: Definition

Evaluate this definitional arguments:

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A rock band has to have four people in it, one playing bass, one lead, one singer, one drummer, thats
what makes it a rock band.

2 FOR Example
Is this a valid argument? Of course, the world is getting hotter. It was 130 in Phoenix yesterday.

Is this a valid argument? Of course, there is some evidence the world is getting hotter. It was 130 in
Phoenix yesterday and 122 in Alaska.

3 FOR Analogy
What is the difference between an argument by analogy and an argument by parallel case?

If I argue that higher education is the survival of the fittest how could I support this argument?

Analysis
Analyze this argument. Use everything youve learned in class to assess it. Make five valid, one sentene
observations about this argument. Number each of your sentences.

Im telling you, Bill is a bad boss. He forgot to hold a staff meeting this morning. What more do
you want. Then, look at his desk, what a mess. And if all that isnt enough, he looks just like
Elmer Fudd.

Answers:
1. Bill is a bad boss. is the claim, and it is a _______ claim.
2. Not holding a staff meeting is an example supporting the generalization.
3. looking like Elmer Fudd is an ad hominum attack.
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ANSWERS TO SELECTED QUESTIONS

Introduction to claims

1. Energy drinks contain nothing to improve our physical health. - fact

2. Firemen are more attractive than tennis players.- value
3. I think we need to elect the Supreme Court. policy

Toulmin model

Requiring attendance does not teach self-reliance. - G

Attendance at classes should not be required.- C
People need to accept the consequences of their own actions.- W

Ethos: Credibility

1. He assures you on his own authority that nuclear power is safe. You discover he works for a company that makes
nuclear power plants. Yes, attack he is only offering his own credibility and he is an advocate.

2. He assures you on his own authority that nuclear power is safe. You discover he has been convicted for being a
child molester. No, cant attack the damaging information has nothing directly to do with his knowledge of nuclear
power.

Forms of Reasoning

Sam is a pig. Analogy

I gave you four examples that support my claim. Example
This car is a joke. Analogy
Four out of five doctors who smoke prefer Camels cigarettes. Example (or Authority)