ENGL 101 Composition & Rhetoric Exam, Exams of Grammar and Composition

Download ENGL 101 Composition & Rhetoric Exam and more Exams Grammar and Composition in PDF only on Docsity! ENGL 101 Composition & Rhetoric COMPLETED EXAM 2024 What are the three modes of persuasion according to Aristotle? Explain each one briefly and give an example of how they can be used in a speech. - The three modes of persuasion are ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos is the appeal to the speaker's credibility and character, pathos is the appeal to the audience's emotions and values, and logos is the appeal to the audience's logic and reason. For example, a speaker can use ethos by mentioning their qualifications and experience on the topic, pathos by telling a personal story or using vivid language, and logos by providing facts and evidence to support their claim. What is the difference between a rhetorical situation and a rhetorical context? Give an example of each one. - A rhetorical situation is the set of circumstances that prompts a speaker or writer to communicate, such as the exigence (the problem or need), the audience (the intended or actual recipients of the message), and the constraints (the factors that limit or shape the communication). A rhetorical context is the broader social, cultural, historical and political background that influences or affects the rhetorical situation. For example, a rhetorical situation could be a student giving a presentation on climate change in a class, and a rhetorical context could be the current debates and policies on environmental issues in the society. What are the five canons of rhetoric? Explain each one briefly and give an example of how they can be applied in a speech or writing. - The five canons of rhetoric are invention, arrangement, style, memory and delivery. Invention is the process of finding and developing ideas for the message, such as using brainstorming, research or heuristics. Arrangement is the process of organizing the ideas in a logical and effective order, such as using an introduction, body and conclusion. Style is the process of choosing appropriate and appealing words, sentences and figures of speech, such as using clarity, coherence and variety. Memory is the process of remembering and recalling the message, such as using mnemonics, notes or rehearsal. Delivery is the process of presenting the message orally or in writing, such as using voice, gestures, eye contact or punctuation. What are the four types of rhetorical criticism? Explain each one briefly and give an example of a text or artifact that can be analyzed using each one. - The four types of rhetorical criticism are neo-Aristotelian criticism, genre criticism, narrative criticism and ideological criticism. Neo-Aristotelian criticism is based on applying the classical concepts of rhetoric, such as ethos, pathos and logos, to evaluate the effectiveness and persuasiveness of a text or artifact. For example, a neo-Aristotelian critic can analyze a political speech by examining how well it uses these modes of persuasion. Genre criticism is based on identifying and evaluating the conventions and expectations of a specific type or category of communication, such as speeches, advertisements or films. For example, a genre critic can analyze a horror film by examining how well it follows or deviates from the typical features of horror films. Narrative criticism is based on studying how stories are constructed and communicated, such as their characters, plot, setting and theme. For example, a narrative critic can analyze a novel by examining how well it tells a coherent and engaging story. Ideological criticism is based on exploring how texts or artifacts reflect or challenge dominant beliefs, values and assumptions in a society or culture. For example, an ideological critic can analyze a magazine cover by examining how well it represents or challenges gender - Hasty generalization: drawing a conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence. For example, "I met two rude Canadians, so all Canadians must be rude." - Post hoc ergo propter hoc: assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second event. For example, "I wore my lucky shirt today and I aced the exam, so my shirt must have caused me to ace the exam." What are some criteria for evaluating the quality of evidence in an argument? Give an example of how to apply them to a source of evidence. - Some criteria for evaluating the quality of evidence in an argument are: - Relevance: the evidence should support the claim or premise it is intended to support. For example, if the claim is that smoking causes lung cancer, then evidence about the effects of smoking on lung health would be relevant, but evidence about the effects of smoking on dental health would not be relevant. - Accuracy: the evidence should be factual and verifiable. For example, if the source of evidence is a scientific study, then it should have a clear methodology, data analysis, and peer review. - Sufficiency: there should be enough evidence to establish the claim or premise with reasonable certainty. For example, if the claim is that most people prefer chocolate over vanilla ice cream, then one survey of 10 people would not be sufficient evidence, but several surveys of large and diverse samples would be sufficient evidence. - Authority: the source of evidence should be credible and trustworthy. For example, if the source of evidence is an expert opinion, then the expert should have relevant qualifications, experience, and reputation in the field. What are some rhetorical devices that can enhance an argument? Explain how they work and give an example of each. - Rhetorical devices are techniques that use language to persuade or influence an audience. Some rhetorical devices that can enhance an argument are: - Ethos: appealing to the credibility or character of the speaker or writer. For example, "As a doctor with over 20 years of experience, I can assure you that this treatment is safe and effective." - Pathos: appealing to the emotions or values of the audience. For example, "Imagine how you would feel if you were in their shoes." - Logos: appealing to the logic or reason of the audience. For example, "According to these statistics, this policy has reduced crime by 50% in the past year." - Analogy: comparing two things that are similar in some way to explain or illustrate a point. For example, "Just as a seed needs water and sunlight to grow, a child needs love and education to thrive." - Repetition: repeating a word or phrase for emphasis or clarity. What is the difference between summary and synthesis, and why is synthesis important for effective writing? Provide an example of a summary and a synthesis of the same text. Answer: Summary is a brief restatement of the main ideas and information of a text, while synthesis is a combination of ideas and information from multiple texts to create a new perspective or argument. Synthesis is important for effective writing because it shows the writer's ability to analyze, compare, contrast, and evaluate different sources and perspectives, and to use them as evidence to support their own claims. For example, a summary of an article about climate change might say: "The article discusses the causes, effects, and solutions of climate change, and argues that urgent action is needed to prevent irreversible damage to the environment and human society." A synthesis of the same article and another article that challenges some of its claims might say: "Both articles agree that climate change is a serious problem that requires immediate attention, but they differ in their views on the causes, effects, and solutions. The first article attributes climate change mainly to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture, and warns that it will lead to more extreme weather events, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and health risks. The second article acknowledges that human activities contribute to climate change, but also points out that natural factors, such as solar activity, volcanic eruptions, and ocean currents, play a significant role in influencing the climate system. It also questions the reliability and validity of some of the data and models used by the first article, and suggests that some of the proposed solutions, such as carbon taxes, renewable energy, and geoengineering, are either ineffective, costly, or risky." What are some strategies for developing a clear and concise thesis statement for an academic essay? Explain how each strategy helps to communicate the main argument and purpose of the essay. Answer: Some strategies for developing a clear and concise thesis statement are: - Use specific and precise language that reflects the scope and focus of the essay. This helps to avoid ambiguity and confusion for the reader, and to show the writer's position and direction. - Provide a preview of the main points or subtopics that will support the thesis statement. This helps to organize the structure and flow of the essay, and to indicate the logical connections between the thesis statement and the body paragraphs. - Avoid using vague or general terms, such as "interesting", "important", "good", or "bad". This helps to make the thesis statement more arguable and debatable, and to invite critical analysis and evaluation from the reader. - Avoid using first-person pronouns, such as "I", "me", or "my". This helps to maintain an objective and formal tone for academic writing, and to avoid personal bias or opinion. For example, a weak thesis statement might say: "In this essay, I will discuss why social media is bad for society." A stronger thesis statement might say: "Social media has a negative impact on society because it promotes misinformation, reduces privacy, and increases cyberbullying." What are some types of rhetorical appeals that writers can use to persuade their audience? Provide an example of each type of appeal from a text that you have read or written. Answer: Some types of rhetorical appeals are: - Ethos: This is an appeal to the credibility or authority of the writer or speaker. It can be established by demonstrating expertise, knowledge, experience, or qualifications on the topic; by using reliable sources or evidence; by acknowledging opposing views or counterarguments; or by showing honesty, integrity, or goodwill. For example: "As a doctor with over 20 years of experience in public health, I can assure you that vaccines are safe and effective." - Pathos: This is an appeal to the emotions or values of the audience. It can be achieved by using vivid language, imagery, or anecdotes; by appealing to common sentiments or beliefs; by evoking sympathy or empathy; or by creating a sense of urgency or importance. For example: "Imagine being separated from your family, your home, and your country. Imagine living in fear, uncertainty, and despair. This is the reality for millions of refugees who are fleeing from war, violence, and persecution." - Logos: This is an appeal to the logic or reason of the audience. It can be supported by using facts, statistics, examples, or analogies; by using clear and coherent arguments; by following a deductive or inductive reasoning; or by addressing potential objections or questions. For example: "According to a recent study by Harvard University, students who participate in extracurricular activities have higher academic performance, better social skills, and lower stress levels than students who do not. Therefore, it is beneficial for students to join clubs, teams, or organizations that interest them." What are some common types of fallacies that writers should avoid in their arguments? Provide an example of each type of fallacy and explain why it is flawed or illogical. Answer: Some common types of fallacies are: - Ad hominem: This is a fallacy that attacks the person rather than the argument. It is flawed because it distracts from the issue at hand and does not address the validity or soundness of the argument. For example: "You can't trust his opinion on climate change. He is a politician who only cares about his own agenda." - Hasty generalization: This is a fallacy that draws a conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence. It is flawed because it ignores exceptions or variations and does not account for the complexity or diversity of the situation. For example: "All politicians are corrupt and dishonest. They only lie to the public and abuse their power." - Post hoc ergo propter hoc: This is a fallacy that assumes that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second event. It is flawed because it confuses correlation with causation and does not consider other possible factors or explanations. For example: "Since I started wearing this lucky charm, I