Deck 15: Using Plain and Persuasive Style

Question 1

Consider the following sentence: "She splashed in the water like a fish." What kind of rhetorical device is this?

A) a metaphor
B) a simile
C) an analogy
D) sensory language

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What is the given/new method?

Answer 2

The Given/New method, also known as the Given/New Contract, is a concept in linguistics and discourse analysis that deals with how information is presented and structured in communication. It is a principle that helps speakers and writers create coherent and understandable messages by organizing information based on what the audience already knows (given information) and what is new to the audience (new information).

According to this method, a speaker or writer should start with the "given" information, which is the information that the listener or reader is assumed to already know or have readily accessible. This serves as a familiar foundation for the message. Then, the speaker or writer introduces the "new" information, which is the novel or important part of the message that the speaker or writer wants to convey.

The Given/New method is important for several reasons:

1. Coherence: It helps maintain coherence in communication by linking new statements to what has been previously discussed or understood.

2. Comprehension: It aids in comprehension by allowing the listener or reader to integrate new information with their existing knowledge base.

3. Engagement: It engages the audience by acknowledging what they know and then adding to it, which can make the communication more interactive and dynamic.

4. Memory: It facilitates memory retention by structuring information in a way that is easier for the audience to process and remember.

In practice, the Given/New method can be seen in various forms of communication, from everyday conversation to academic writing. For example, in a research paper, an author might begin a paragraph by referencing a well-known theory (given information) before introducing their own research findings (new information). In a conversation, a person might refer to a shared experience before sharing a new development related to that experience.

Overall, the Given/New method is a valuable tool for effective communication, ensuring that messages are delivered in a way that is considerate of the audience's existing knowledge and cognitive processes.

Question 3

What is the problem with writing "The active participants at the employee outing took part in team-building "?

A) It is a nominalization.
B) It contains jargon.
C) It is redundant.
D) It is passive voice.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which is NOT a technique for writing persuasively?

A) back translating
B) elevating the tone
C) using analogies
D) changing the pace

Question 5

Passive voice is acceptable in technical documents if readers do not need to know who or what is doing something in the sentence.

Question 6

Consider the following sentence: "These three recommendations represent only the first steps we need to take. Combatting West Nile virus in the long term will require a more comprehensive plan." What type of sentence is this?

A) topic sentence
B) transition sentence
C) support sentence
D) point sentence

Question 7

Point sentences restate the paragraph's main point toward the end of the paragraph.

Question 8

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Use the Internet or print sources to find the text of the speech. Read it carefully. Note what style and tone Martin Luther King, Jr. used in his speech. How did he use language to his advantage? Did you notice any similes, analogies, or metaphors? Write your instructor a memo discussing the language used in the speech.

Question 9

Which of the following sentences is active voice?

A) The collection plate was passed around by the congregation.
B) The draft of the document was completed before the deadline.
C) She wrote a memo detailing her concerns.
D) The nurse was chastised for her error.

Question 10

Style that is intended to move the listener to do what is right, even if people are reluctant to do it, is known as style.

A) persuasive
B) grand
C) plain
D) rhetorical

Question 11

What is a nominalization?

A) removal of the wordiness in a sentence
B) using a subject and its predicate incorrectly
C) placing the least important parts of a sentence at the end
D) turning verbs and adjectives into awkward nouns

Question 12

Name three tips that can help minimize problems when using translation software.

Question 13

Which of the following guidelines for plain sentences is NOT correct?

A) The subject of the sentence should be what the sentence is about.
B) The direct object should be the "doer" in the sentence.
C) The verb should state the action, or what the doer is doing.
D) The subject of the sentence should come early in the sentence.

Question 14

Consider the following sentence: "Keeping these facts about West Nile virus in mind, let us consider the actions we should take." What type of sentence is this?

A) topic sentence
B) transition sentence
C) support sentence
D) point sentence

Question 15

You should eliminate all the prepositional phrases in a sentence.

Question 16

Rhetorical devices such as similes, metaphors, and analogies can add depth and interest to your writing. Find a document on a topic of your choosing that could use the addition of such language. Insert five similes, metaphors, or analogies in locations where they may help the reader relate to the topic of discussion.

Question 17

Good style involves which of the following?

A) adding visual sense to the text
B) structuring paragraphs for clarity
C) choosing the right words and phrases
D) All of the above are correct.