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CHAPTER 1
WHAT IS ARGUMENTATION?
True or False
1-2 Argumentation is a form of instrumental communication.
1-3 Argumentation relies on reasoning and proof to influence behavior.
1-4 The Elaboration Likelihood Model suggests we process all persuasive messages that
1-5 Argumentation and persuasion are two unrelated forms of communication.
1-6 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.
1-7 Argumentation treats people as rational beings who can make decisions when given
sufficient reasons.
1-8 Argumentation, like all forms of communication, is rule governed behavior.
1-9 The self sometimes serves as the audience for argument.
1-10 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.
1-11 The rules of engagement for argumentation specify what delivery techniques the
arguer is expected to use.
1-12 A key factor in being successful as an arguer is discovering what an audience
expects and how knowledgeable they are on a topic.
1-13 Argumentation was first developed as a formal study by the ancient Greeks.
1-14 The three theoretical perspectives from which argumentation can be understood a
referred to as the rhetorical, deontological, and logical perspectives.
1-15 Arguers have an obligation to practice ethical communication.
1-16 An ethical arguer accurately and honestly reports facts and opinions.
1-17 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.
1-18 When you engage in argumentation, you risk having your beliefs challenged.
1-19 In argumentation, probable truth may be found only on one side of a controversy.
1-20 One drawback of argumentation is that changing belief or behavior through the
process of argument is time consuming.
Multiple Choice
1-1 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.
1-2 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.
1-3 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
1-4 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
1-5 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
1-6 The Greeks termed the humane discipline, grounded in choice, that was designed to
persuade the listener
(a) rhetoric.
(b) procedure.
(c) dialectic.
(d) argumentation.
1-7 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.
1-8 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.
1-9 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.
1-10 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.
1-11 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.
1-12 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.
1-13 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.
1-14 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
1-15 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.
1-16 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
1-17 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.
1-18 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.
1-19 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
1-20 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.
