17. The statement “You can’t possibly trust what Margaret said about college life because she
has never gone to college!” is an example of
a. ad hominem.
b. post hoc, ergo propter hoc.
c. slippery slope.
d. hasty generalization.
e. either-or logic.
18. The following statement is an example of which fallacy? “We must stop! Every other
civilized country has stopped! We are the only one left who is still doing this.”
a. Ad hominem
b. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
c. Slippery slope
d. Hasty generalization
e. Bandwagon appeal
19. What kind of fallacy includes a broad claim based on too limited evidence?
a. Ad hominem
b. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
c. Slippery slope
d. Hasty generalization
e. Red herring argument
True-False Items
20. Persuasion happens quickly.
a. True
b. False
21. Emotional proofs address the more objective reasons for our beliefs in people, ideas, causes,
and courses of action.
a. True
b. False
22. It is more effective to berate listeners for what they are or aren’t doing than to encourage
them to do something that might feel good.
a. True
b. False
23. Careful reasoning and good evidence allow the speaker to offer logical appeals that are
sound, effective, and ethical.
a. True
b. False
24. The motivated sequence pattern intensifies listeners’ desires for a solution by helping them
visualize what it would mean and gains their active commitment to being part of the solution.
a. True
b. False
25. A speaker’s credibility resides solely with the speaker.
a. True
b. False
26. Persuasive speaking involves only one communicator.
a. True
b. False
27. Inoculation involves “immunization” of listeners to opposing ideas and arguments that they
may later encounter.
a. True
b. False
28. Inductive reasoning begins with specific examples and reasons to a larger claim.
a. True
b. False
29. Effective speakers have to basically ignore what listeners expect to hear so that they are not
distracted by trying to live up to expectations.
a. True
b. False
30. If listeners already know a lot about your topic, you don’t need to present both sides of the
argument to enhance credibility.
a. True
b. False
31. If listeners are in favor of your position, you do not have to discuss alternatives in depth.
a. True
b. False
32. It is generally acceptable to use no more than three fallacies in a persuasive speech.
a. True
b. False
33. It is not generally a good idea to use emotion in persuasive speaking.
a. True
b. False
34. Common ground is not relevant in persuasive speeches, only in informative speeches.
a. True
b. False
35. Speakers demonstrating care for listeners is an example of working towards derived
credibility.
a. True
b. False
36. During the satisfaction step of the Motivated Sequence, the speaker proposes a solution to the
demonstrated problem.
a. True
b. False
Fill-in-the-Blank Items
37. ____________________ is willingness to believe a person or trust what a person says.
38. The ____________________ exists when listeners assume a person who is an expert in area
is also an expert in other, unrelated areas.
39. ____________________ is a dimension of ethos demonstrated by identifying common
ground between the speaker and listener and showing respect for the listener’s experiences.
40. ____________________ anticipates and addresses reservations that listeners are likely to
have about claims.
41. ____________________ is the evidence that supports claims.
42. “Don’t let Jessica give you any parenting advice as she’s never had children!” This statement
is an example of ____________________.
43. “A lot of your friends text while driving and aren’t in wrecks, so you might as well text, too,
when at the wheel.” This statement is an example of ____________________.
44. “Democrats favor restrictions on handguns. Next, they’ll be taking all of our guns away.”
This statement is an example of: ____________________.
45. “We must either keep health care privatized or accept that the government has complete
access to all parts of our lives.” This statement is an example of ____________________.
46. “Four of our star basketball players left college for pro careers this year. Basketball players
must not be serious students.” This statement is an example of ____________________.
47. Attacking the person rather than his or her idea is an example of a(n)
____________________ argument.
48. The term that Kenneth Burke used for the process of finding common ground between two
Essay Items
49. Describe and explain the Toulmin model of reasoning.
50. You are asked to give a speech in your field for which you are easily recognizable and
respected but still your cause has many straddling the fence to buy into it. How can you
design your speech to most reach those who are not leaning one way or the other strongly?
51. What are two ways you can enhance pathos in persuasive speaking. Give two examples of
each.
TEST ITEMS ANSWER KEY
Multiple Choice Items
1. When Jeremy begins his speech, the audience doesn’t know him and has no basis for
assuming he is competent. During his speech, however, Jeremy gains the trust and respect of
listeners because he has good research and clear organization. The increase in Jeremy’s
credibility during the speech is due to which of the following?
2. Which of the following characteristics are attributed to someone who has ethos?
3. Which of the following is (are) ways to enhance pathos in persuasive speaking?
4. Tom’s specific purpose is to convince his audience that texting while driving should not be
made illegal. “I’m a really good driver, and I text a lot. I’m a member of my baseball team, on
student council, and I go to church regularly.” These statements are an example of what kind
of fallacy?
5. What is the form of reasoning that begins with broad claims that listeners accept and then
moves into specific claims?
6. You begin your speech by stating that “global temperature is melting ice in Antarctica.” You
then provide examples that illustrate how the entire planet is experiencing a rise in global
temperature. Your choice to organize information in this way is an example of what type of
reasoning?
7. A persuasive speaker relying on arguments, reasoning, and evidence to support claims is
utilizing what type of persuasive proof?
8. The motivated sequence step that asks listeners to imagine the results that would follow if
they adopt the recommended solution is which of the following?
9. Which of the following does NOT apply to persuasive speaking?
10. The statement “the death penalty doesn’t deter crime” is an example of
11. Which of the following statements or phrases is the claim?
12. Which of the following statements or phrases is the warrant?
13. Which of the following statements or phrases is the grounds?
14. Which of the following statements or phrases is the qualifier?
15. Which of the following statements or phrases is the rebuttal?
16. Which of the following is NOT a guideline for effective persuasive speeches?
17. The statement “You can’t possibly trust what Margaret said about college life because she
has never gone to college!” is an example of
18. The following statement is an example of which fallacy? “We must stop! Every other
civilized country has stopped! We are the only one left who is still doing this.”
19. What kind of fallacy includes a broad claim based on too limited evidence?
20. Persuasion happens quickly.
21. Emotional proofs address the more objective reasons for our beliefs in people, ideas, causes,
and courses of action.
22. It is more effective to berate listeners for what they are or aren’t doing than to encourage
them to do something that might feel good.
23. Careful reasoning and good evidence allow the speaker to offer logical appeals that are
sound, effective, and ethical.
24. The motivated sequence pattern intensifies listeners’ desires for a solution by helping them
visualize what it would mean and gains their active commitment to being part of the solution.
25. A speaker’s credibility resides solely with the speaker.
26. Persuasive speaking involves only one communicator.
27. Inoculation involves “immunization” of listeners to opposing ideas and arguments that they
may later encounter.
28. Inductive reasoning begins with specific examples and reasons to a larger claim.
29. Effective speakers have to basically ignore what listeners expect to hear so that they are not
distracted by trying to live up to expectations.
30. If listeners already know a lot about your topic, you don’t need to present both sides of the
argument to enhance credibility.
31. If listeners are in favor of your position, you do not have to discuss alternatives in depth.
32. It is generally acceptable to use no more than three fallacies in a persuasive speech.
33. It is not generally a good idea to use emotion in persuasive speaking.
34. Common ground is not relevant in persuasive speeches, only in informative speeches.
35. Speakers demonstrating care for listeners is an example of working towards derived
credibility.
36. During the satisfaction step of the Motivated Sequence, the speaker proposes a solution to the
demonstrated problem.
37. ____________________ is willingness to believe a person or trust what a person says.
38. The ____________________ exists when listeners assume a person who is an expert in area
is also an expert in other, unrelated areas.
39. ____________________ is a dimension of ethos demonstrated by identifying common
ground between the speaker and listener and showing respect for the listener’s experiences.
40. ____________________ anticipates and addresses reservations that listeners are likely to
have about claims.
41. ____________________ is the evidence that supports claims.
42. “Don’t let Jessica give you any parenting advice as she’s never had children!” This statement
is an example of ____________________.
43. “A lot of your friends text while driving and aren’t in wrecks, so you might as well text, too,
when at the wheel.” This statement is an example of ____________________.
44. “Democrats favor restrictions on handguns. Next, they’ll be taking all of our guns away.”
This statement is an example of: ____________________.
45. “We must either keep health care privatized or accept that the government has complete
access to all parts of our lives.” This statement is an example of ____________________.
46. “Four of our star basketball players left college for pro careers this year. Basketball players
must not be serious students.” This statement is an example of ____________________.
47. Attacking the person rather than his or her idea is an example of a(n)
____________________ argument.
48. The term that Kenneth Burke used for the process of finding common ground between two
people was ____________________.
Essay Items
49. Describe and explain the Toulmin model of reasoning.
50. You are asked to give a speech in your field for which you are easily recognizable and
respected but still your cause has many straddling the fence to buy into it. How can you
design your speech to most reach those who are not leaning one way or the other strongly?
51. What are two ways you can enhance pathos in persuasive speaking. Give two examples of
each.