Deck 1: What Is Argumentation

Question 1

Arguments exist all around us in everyday communication.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Argumentation is a form of instrumental communication.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Argumentation relies on reasoning and proof to influence behavior.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The Elaboration Likelihood Model suggests we process all persuasive messages that we receive in the same way.

Question 5

Argumentation and persuasion are two unrelated forms of communication.

Question 6

Argumentation follows the peripheral route of the Elaboration Likelihood Model, because when you engage in argumentation, you depend upon a simple cue to get your message across to the audience.

Question 7

Argumentation treats people as rational beings who can make decisions when given sufficient reasons.

Question 8

Argumentation, like all forms of communication, is rule governed behavior.

Question 9

The self sometimes serves as the audience for argument.

Question 10

The rules of engagement for argumentation specify how much precision an arguer must use in constructing arguments and what mode of resolution will be used to determine the outcome of arguing.

Question 11

The rules of engagement for argumentation specify what delivery techniques the arguer is expected to use.

Question 12

A key factor in being successful as an arguer is discovering what an audience expects and how knowledgeable they are on a topic.

Question 13

Argumentation was first developed as a formal study by the ancient Greeks.

Question 14

The three theoretical perspectives from which argumentation can be understood a referred to as the rhetorical, deontological, and logical perspectives.

Question 15

Arguers have an obligation to practice ethical communication.

Question 16

An ethical arguer accurately and honestly reports facts and opinions.

Question 17

You need to be careful in choosing the words or symbols you use, because they have such concrete meanings that members of your audience will assign the same meaning to them.

Question 18

When you engage in argumentation, you risk having your beliefs challenged.

Question 19

In argumentation, probable truth may be found only on one side of a controversy.

Question 20

One drawback of argumentation is that changing belief or behavior through the process of argument is time consuming.

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of argumentation?

A)It is a form of expressive communication.
B)It is a form of instrumental communication.
C)It relies on reasoning and proof to influence belief or behavior.
D)It uses written and spoken media.

Question 22

The goal of argumentation is to

A)study rhetorical theory.
B)sell goods and services.
C)change belief or behavior.
D)get a candidate elected.

Question 23

How does persuasion differ from argumentation?

A)Argumentation focuses on how to appeal to the rational side of human nature.
B)Some persuasive messages place more emphasis on emotional appeals.
C)In persuasion, receiver psychology is important in determining the outcome of the message.
D)All of the above

Question 24

We say that one characteristic of argumentation is that is it is "rule-governed communication behavior." In this course, you are learning the communication rules for using proof and reasoning so that you can become a proficient arguer. Which of the following best describes this rule-governed communication behavior?

A)It is field-dependent, you can use the rules of argumentation in a limited number of fields.
B)It is field-invariant, you can use the rules of argumentation across all fields in our society.
C)It is based on the cultural perception that the welfare of those in the field is the most important outcome of argumentation.
D)It adopts the feminist perspective that we should use argumentation to become "connected knowers."

Question 25

We are going to have in-class debates, and as a member of the audience, you will be asked to "write a ballot" expressing your view as to which debater offers the best case, the most compelling reasons. As a member of the audience, how are you characterized in this use of argumentation as instrumental communication?

A)You are seeking knowledge about the topic.
B)You are acting as an impartial judge.
C)You are engaging in an internal dialog about the pros and cons of what you hear.
D)All of the above

Question 26

The Greeks termed the humane discipline, grounded in choice, that was designed to persuade the listener

A)rhetoric.
B)procedure.
C)dialectic.
D)argumentation.

Question 27

The ability to find, in a given situation, all the means to persuade and audience to believe a proposition is what Aristotle termed

A)rhetoric.
B)dialectic.
C)logic.
D)pragma-dialectic.

Question 28

The rhetorical perspective on argument and audience

A)explores how we use communication to influence or change people in situations where they have choices to make.
B)explores argumentation as a series of formal rules for distinguishing sound arguments from unsound ones.
C)explores the structure of conversations in which people offer and analyze reasons.
D)explores the ethics of the practice of argumentation.

Question 29

The dialectical perspective on argument and audience

A)explores how we use communication to influence or change people in situations where they have choices to make.
B)explores argumentation as a series of formal rules for distinguishing sound arguments from unsound ones.
C)explores the structure of conversations in which people offer and analyze reasons.
D)explores the ethics of the practice of argumentation.

Question 30

The logical perspective on argument and audience

A)explores how we use communication to influence or change people in situations where they have choices to make.
B)explores argumentation as a series of formal rules for distinguishing sound arguments from unsound ones.
C)explores the structure of conversations in which people offer and analyze reasons.
D)explores the ethics of the practice of argumentation.

Question 31

A series of formal rules for distinguishing sound arguments from unsound ones is found in

A)rhetorical theory.
B)the dialectical perspective.
C)the logical perspective.
D)persuasion.

Question 32

The arguer concerned with assuring the welfare of the greatest number of people rather than being bound by an absolute standard of right and wrong is practicing

A)deontological ethics.
B)enlightenment ethics.
C)teleological ethics.
D)the doctrine of perspicuity.

Question 33

Which single ethical standard seems to be common across all cultures?

A)The feminist perspective which suggests that men engage in mono-causal reasoning.
B)The African perspective which suggests that reasoning belongs to all members of the community.
C)The dialogic perspective which suggests that argumentation is best thought of as a conversation.
D)The orientation towards telling the truth.

Question 34

As an arguer, you are concerned that you do not mislead or deceive those in your audience with your language choices, your organization of ideas and reasoning, or your use of extraneous information. Your concern is reflected by which ethical standard?

A)Clarity
B)Efficiency
C)Honesty
D)Relevance

Question 35

When an arguer prepares arguments thoroughly, investigating both sides of a controversy, he is upholding the ethical standard of

A)clarity.
B)honesty.
C)efficiency.
D)relevance.

Question 36

This ethical standard especially emphasizes your competence as an arguer because rambling, poorly developed arguments will probably not help you involve your audience. In which standard is involving your audience in your reasoning process a key to ethical behavior?

A)Clarity
B)Efficiency
C)Honesty
D)Relevance

Question 37

Understanding the cultural differences of members of an audience so they can be bridged is part of the ethical standard of

A)clarity.
B)honesty.
C)efficiency.
D)relevance.

Question 38

When an arguer respects the rights of other arguers and the audience, he is practicing

A)teleological ethics.
B)discourse ethics.
C)ontological ethics.
D)logical positivism.

Question 39

You know that those who make up the audience for your arguments have a variety of religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Wicca, and Native American spiritual traditions. Which ethical standard will you need to be especially conscious of because of its importance when addressing a diverse audience, such as one with a variety of religious beliefs?

A)Clarity
B)Efficiency
C)Honesty
D)Relevance

Question 40

If your approach to argumentation is to use the basic principles of discourse ethics, which of the following principles are you likely to employ?

A)You will be concerned with the "attitude" you and the other participants have towards argumentation.
B)You and the other participants will be especially concerned with respecting "the process of dialog" so that each of you will behave ethically as you engage in argumentation.
C)You and the other participants will be concerned about the possible consequences that may result from your argumentation.
D)All of the above