CHAPTER 7: Supporting Your Ideas
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Evidence is best understood as __________.
A) actual examples used in support o
B)
C)
D)
2. To support assertions made in a speech adequately, a speaker should __________.
A) provide numerous examples and statistics and very little testimony
B) provide abundant expert testimony and minimal statistical support
C) concentrate, principally, on providing solid statistical data
D) use a variety of good evidence, making clear its credibility
3. Facts consist of __________.
A) what an official agency pronounces to be true
B) statistical information that can be substantiated
C) information that can be verified by observation
D) information provided in a credible technical report
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4. While researching the number of crimes in which handguns were used, Lukasz consults what
he believes to be a reputable source but encounters information he finds hard to believe. How
should he proceed?
A) Ignore the information, since the source may be mistaken.
B) Consult multiple, credible sources to see if they report similarly.
C) Assume that the information must be valid if it appears in an edited publication.
D) Recognize that the information is a matter of interpretation and, hence, is valid.
5. Some opponents of the Dream Act, which would provide conditional permanent residency to
to describe the proposed legislation constitute a/an __________.
A) technical definition
B) persuasive definition
C) informative definition
D) straightforward definition
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deliver power while a
truck engine constitutes a/an __________.
A) technical definition
B) persuasive definition
C) informative definition
D) straightforward definition
7. When the consumer group heard that the FDA would likely approve genetically modified
salmon, they warned that the fish would not be as nature intended, referring to them as
__________.
A) technical definition
B) persuasive definition
C) informative definition
D) straightforward definition
8. In 2007, when President Bush wanted to increase the number of U.S. troops deployed to Iraq,
a term associated with painful memories of the war in Vietnam. This use of language, by both
sources, illustrates __________.
A) how politicians behave unethically when they interject opinion into debate
B) how inconsistencies, when present in debate, complicate efforts to resolve them
C) how qualifiers must be justified in order to not mislead listeners
D) how definitions can be persuasive, not merely informative
9. __________ are especially good for making general principles or abstract notions interesting
and meaningful to an audience. They interject life and meaning into the ideas you are
communicating, making them vivid and memorable.
A) Statistics
B) Examples
C) Definitions
D) Expert opinions
10. In a speech noting how we must remain hopeful during efforts to find missing children, Lars
noted how investigators in Missouri, while searching for Ben Ownby (missing for one week),
rescued Ben and another boy, Shawn Hornbeck, who had been missing for four and a half years.
Police discovered them in the same apartment; they were captives of the same perpetrator. Lars
provided __________ as supporting material.
A) an actual example
B) a hypothetical example
C) authoritative testimony
D) symbolism to convey a moral
11. In a speech advocating generous government subsidies for offshore fish farms, Emma noted
how a farm two miles from Puerto Rico and 90 feet below surface produces an amazing
quantity of organically grown fish in an environmentally friendly manner. In relating this
instance, Emma provided __________ as supporting material.
A) an actual example
B) a hypothetical example
C) authoritative testimony
D) symbolism to convey a moral
12. Helen tells a poignant story about how her uncle, a young widower, tried to make ends meet
while raising three children. Even though her uncle worked two full-time jobs, her uncle often
had to skip a meal so his kids had enough to eat, and he had only a single pair of pants and two
shirts to wear. Helen shared this story as a way of showing her listeners the meaning of poverty.
What kind of evidence is she using in her speech?
A) A hypothetical example, based on a plausible story
B) A narrative, based on personal experience
C) An atypical example, to convey a moral
D) Lay testimony, based on a plausible story
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13. As Owen addressed the problem of domestic violence around the globe, he enlisted a story
Newsweek (December 17, 2012) told about a 24-year-old woman, Wahaba, whose husband was
only four years old, to the
his speech?
A) Narratives taken from real life can function as a powerful form of support.
B) Narratives for such sensitive topics should be hypothetical rather than actual.
C) Telling this story might suggest Owen is biased, thus harming his credibility.
D) Atypical instances, such as this one, exaggerate matters and should be avoided.
threw her down the stairs in their home one day, breaking her leg. He described in detail how
the wife had fixed dinner, kept it warm until the husband arrived home, and how he had walked
in, angered by events at work. When she tried to comfort him, he told her she was part of the
problem since her job paid so little. She begged him to calm down and tried edging away, but he
matched her every move and shoved her down their basement stairs. How might we evaluate
A) Narratives taken from real life can function as a powerful form of support.
B) Narratives for such sensitive topics should be hypothetical rather than actual.
C) Telling this story might suggest Ben is biased, thus harming his credibility.
D) Atypical instances, such as this one, exaggerate matters and should be avoided.
15. In his speech suggesting that all citizens should be armed, Mario noted that, if citizens in a
bank where a robbery was taking place were all armed with a gun, they could stop the robbers
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and help apprehend them possibly without even firing a shot since their overwhelming force
A) He should not make up examples when real examples exist that he could utilize.
B) His example likely would take up too much time, so he should stick to statistics.
C)
D) His hypothetical example needs to represent an action or event that is plausible.
16. John is working on his speech about whether tax dollars should be spent to publicize the
new food pyramid. He comes across a vivid example of a 98-year-old man who ate massive
quantities of red meat and fried food his entire life, and virtually no fruit or vegetables. If John
were to use this example as evidence of a negative correlation between what people eat and how
long they live, what would he be guilty of doing?
A) using an example when a statistic would have been preferable as evidence
B) using an example that does not meet the test of typicality
C) using a hypothetical rather than an actual example
D) using an example that fails to generalize findings
17. When evaluating examples, it is important to recognize that __________.
A) hypothetical examples are fictional and should be avoided
B) atypical examples are unrepresentative and should be avoided
C) even atypical examples can be important
D) specific examples are unrepresentative and should be avoided
18.
A) examples are meaningless when presented without relevant statistical information
B) statistical information is meaningless when presented without relevant examples
C) hypothetical examples are meaningless since they cannot be statistically verified
D) using a relevant example with statistical information can be quite compelling
19. How should we regard statistical evidence, especially when compared with other forms,
such as testimony and examples?
A) Given its scientific nature, it is considered superior, though not wholly conclusive.
B) Given its scientific nature, it is considered superior as well as conclusive.
C) Do not assume a statistic proves something conclusively; consider other evidence.
D) Statistics & examples have equally high validity. Testimony is inherently suspect.
20. Michael is trying to convince listeners that the salaries paid by the company exceeded the
listener, what criticism of this statistic might you offer?
A) This statistic is inferential, whereas a descriptive statistic would be a better indicator of the
actual salary average.
B) Michael has offered raw statistical data and needs to translate it into more understandable
terms for his layperson audience.
C) Averages rarely mean much of anything; other statistics would be preferable.
D) Michael needs to tell you what kind of average he is using because the mean, for example,
could be distorted by a few high salaries.
21.
poll that concluded that 63% of Americans wanted Powell to run for president. What type of
supporting material is Radharani using?
A) expert testimony
B) lay testimony
C) inferential statistics
D) descriptive statistics
22. In his speech, Erik examined the number of violent crimes that had been most recently
reported on campus, and from that, he projected the likelihood that someone in the class would
fall victim to violent crime. His use of statistical data to establish probability is referred to as
__________.
A) descriptive statistics
B) inferential statistics
C) a mode
D) a median
23. In her speech, Harumi examined the number of cases of persons not adequately covered in
their automobile insurance policy and from that projected the number of those in the class who
likely had insufficient coverage. Her use of statistical data to establish probability is referred to
as__________
A) descriptive statistics
B) inferential statistics
C) a mode
D) a median
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24. In a speech urging classmates to donate blood, Whitney noted the number of pints needed in
the region during a recent holiday period in comparison to the number of pints that had been
A) descriptive statistic
B) inferential statistic
C) mode
D) median
25. While discussing the enormous number of high school drop outs, James observed that our
larger cities experience the highest rates of dropouts per capita. He noted that in New York City
and Los Angeles alone, more than 35,000 students dropped out of school in 2008. His use of the
actual number of dropouts constitutes a use of __________.
26. When using statistics, it is important to __________.
A) use a surplus to make your speech more impressive
B) use the mean as an average, as it is more reliable than the median or mode
C) avoid inferential statistics, since they do not represent observable facts
D) present statistical information in clear, meaningful terms
27. In a speech noting how high school drop-outs affect the U.S. economically, James cited a
report by the CBS Evening News (May 28, 2010) that dropouts cost taxpayers more than $8
billion annually in public assistance programs like food stamps. Before moving ahead with
other evidence, it would be helpful for James to __________.
A) ything
B) translate that statistic into more specific or more personal terms
C) note whether CBS was using a descriptive or inferential statistic
D) note whether CBS was using the mean, median, or mode
28. Following the guidelines for using statistical information and evaluating evidence, which of
B) the latest U. S. Department of Justice figures, ten children are killed by
gunfire every day. That is the equivalent of everyone in this classroom being killed over just
C) ns favor stricter
29. Bonita presented a speech about the proper diet for energy and well-being. When discussing
prescribed by a dietician and had experienced higher energy levels as a result. Her use of her
statements constituted the use of __________.
A) personal testimony
B) lay testimony
C) expert testimony
D) prestige testimony
30. Martha presented a speech about the proper diet for energy and well-being. When discussing
various foods that boos
use of __________.
A) personal testimony
B) lay testimony
C) expert testimony
D) prestige testimony
31. When using testimony, it is important to __________.
A) quote experts who are not motivated by self-interest
B) paraphrase what experts say, rather than quoting them directly
C) avoid lay opinion since the layperson lacks expertise
D) avoid personal testimony, since you are not an expert
32. Using the criteria for evaluating expert testimony, which of the following would be the best
expert testimony for Mikaela to use in her speech on driving while intoxicated?
A)
B)
sentencing people convicted of driving while intoxi
C)
D)
sobriety checks are a constitutional way to deal with drunk drivers.”
33. Using the criteria for evaluating expert testimony, which of the following would be the best
expert testimony for Danasha to use in a speech advocating a space mission to Mars?
A
rophysics faculty has gone on record as saying we should go to Mars.”
34. While proposing that the city build a roundabout rather than a regular intersection, the
its
courthouse square. This comparison could function to __________.
A) make concrete ideas more abstract, & make the unknown more familiar
B) make concrete ideas more abstract, & confuse the audience by providing irrelevant detail
C) make the unknown more familiar, & make the audience more comfortable with the idea
D) make the concrete more abstract, & make the audience more comfortable with the idea
35. When the BP deep-water oil well was gushing oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the pipe was bent
at first. When BP contemplated cutting the pipe in order to be able to place a capture system
onto it, the immediate result would be a greater volume spewing unabated. An expert who
advised against the maneuver told the news reporter that it would akin to a kink in a water hose
being removed, allowing unobstructed flow. In providing this explanation, the expert utilized
what type of support for his idea, hoping to enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of his
argument?
A) an actual example
B) a hypothetical example
C) a comparison
D) lay testimony
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36. During the televised de
economy is focused on short-term growth. It is unlike our plan, which may seem less robust in
the short term, but will provide us a solid, healthy recovery and long-term growth and
ith this statement, the candidate has employed the use of __________.
A) contrast
B) comparison
C) an actual example
D) a hypothetical example
opponent. He would continue to give four billion of our tax dollars to subsidize an oil industry
needed and where they would do the most good such as wind and solar, which would also
generate a lot of jobs as we
employed the use of __________.
A) contrast
B) comparison
C) an actual example
D) a hypothetical example
marijuana. When regulated, marijuana would actually be safer for the consumer than alcohol
and cigarettes, which are both legal and enjoy protection under the law. Marijuana is far less
date has
employed the use of __________.
A) contrast
B) comparison
C) an actual example
D) a hypothetical example
39. __________ is the degree to which information is agreed upon by experts or is otherwise
redundant and verifiable.
A) Accuracy
B) Recency
C) Completeness
D) Reliability
40.
claims seemed exaggerated and were unsubstantiated. What should Peyton do?
A) accept it as valid if it is current.
B)
C) Discard the information and look elsewhere.
D) Use the information but also inform the audience that it could be flawed.
True/False Questions
41. A common-
All opinions expressed in private and in public are equally valid, regardless of support.
42. You are preparing to make a persuasive speech on credit card fraud, and you want to use the
strongest evidence possible. Most of your evidence should be statistical because that kind of
evidence is most persuasive.
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44. NAACP is an acronym for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People.
45. Former President Ronald Reagan was particularly well-known for his use of narrative
examples in his speeches.
46. Prestige testimony can provide support for arguments if the source of the testimony is
perceived publicly as educated on and dedicated to the cause.
47. In a report on the adverse effects of war on those in the armed forces, Newsweek (December
Ever
Providing this interpretation of the overall numbers involved, Newsweek avoided descriptive
statistics, since they would appear unwieldy.
48. The CBS Evening News reported on May 28, 2010, that 1.3 million high school students
drop out of high school every year, noting that equals 7,000 every day or one every 26 seconds.
Providing this explanation of the larger number, the report avoided descriptive statistics, since
they would appear unwieldy.
49. Statistics are the strongest form of evidence. Because the numbers can speak for themselves,
they prove your point much better than something as fluffy as narrative.
50. In her speech persuading listeners to avoid vaccination (on the principle that vaccinations
a form of expert testimony.
51. Comparison and contrast are more forms of reasoning than evidence.
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52. Contrasts are an effect way to set yourself apart from a rival.
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like the war in Vietnam. The U.S. is fighting a guerilla insurgency that has widespread popular
support, it is often impossible to tell enemies from friends, and the enemy can melt away into
the villages and countryside after attacking our troops. It is likely, therefore, that we will end up
s question-and-answer period,
Khadijah objects, saying that while our opponents in Vietnam adhered to a single political
ideology, our adversaries in Afghanistan often fight among themselves because of important
ideological differences. She also points out that the Viet Cong were supported by outside
agents the USSR and Communist China while al-Qaeda does not have such outside
sponsors.
54. All evidence is of equal quality.
55 Teen Mom glamorize teen
pregnancy, which could lead to an increase in teen pregnancies in the U.S. When doing her
research, however, she sees that most of the statistics, except one or two, show that rates of teen
pregnancy are actually declining. To demonstrate her commitment to her ideals, Allison should
use the one or two statistics that show rates are rising.
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Essay Questions
57. What is the difference between fact and opinion? Provide an example of a fact and an
example of an opinion. What are two major issues in American and/or politics in which the
differences between fact and opinion often become unclear?
58. Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has used the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris,
France, as one basis for barring all immigrants who practice Islam from entering the U.S. In as
much detail as you can, explain the type of example Trump is using and use critical thinking to
assess it.
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59. Ed is giving a speech advocating against a set, federal minimum wage. He cites a statistic
that states that hourly wage workers in 1948 made, on average, only $9.69 per hour, whereas in
re making more than
double what their parents and grandparents earned. There is clearly no need for a set, federal
oes and does not tell us.
60. What technique does the following passage use to make its point? What are the tests one
should use to evaluate source material? Use these tests to evaluate the piece of supporting
material in the passage.
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