Question 1

"Public school education is better than homeschooling" is a claim of

Accepted Answer

This claim is based on a value judgment about the quality of education provided by public schools compared to homeschooling. It is not a fact, since there is no objective measure of which type of education is better. It is also not a conjecture, since it is not based on speculation or guesswork. It is not a policy, since it does not propose a specific course of action. Finally, it is not an inference, since it is not based on logical reasoning from available evidence. Therefore, the best choice is B, value.

Question 2

Which component of the Toulmin Model of Argument is indicated by words in a claim such as "likely," "possibly," or "probably"?

Accepted Answer

Qualifiers are words or phrases that signal the level of certainty or probability of the claim being made. Words such as "likely," "possibly," or "probably" all indicate a level of uncertainty, and are therefore qualifiers. They modify the strength or force of the claim being made, and indicate that the argument being presented is not a certainty.

Question 3

Josh is giving a presentation to his employees about the new bonus program for those who meet the quarterly sales goal. His employees care very much about the program, but they are having difficulty making a decision about whether to support it because of some of its vague requirements. Which of the following persuasive strategies should Josh use to help his employees make a decision about supporting the program?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging the concerns of the audience and presenting new information to alleviate those concerns is the most appropriate strategy in this situation. By doing so, Josh can help his employees make an informed decision and feel more comfortable about supporting the new bonus program. Building personal credibility and providing information may also be useful, but they are not as effective in addressing the employees' specific concerns. Strengthening the audience's resistance to counterpersuasion and giving them a reason to care about the issue are not relevant in this context.

Question 4

A song in the musical The Fantasticks includes a verse sung by two parents: "Why do the kids put beans in their ears? No one can hear with beans in their ears. After a while, the reason appears. They did it cause we said, 'No.'" Which theory explains this behavior?

Accepted Answer

Psychological Reactance Theory suggests that people have a negative reaction to any attempt to restrict their freedom of choice, resulting in an increased desire to perform the restricted behavior. In this case, the parents saying "no" to putting beans in their ears may have led the children to resist their authority and engage in the behavior as a way of asserting their independence.

Question 5

Miguel is planning a persuasive presentation on the importance of voting. He has discovered that his classmates agree with him. In order to strengthen their way of thinking, Miguel should use all of the following strategies except:

Accepted Answer

Finding common ground is less effective in this context because Miguel already knows his classmates agree with him; thus, they already share common ground on the importance of voting. The other strategies are more about deepening or acting on that agreement.

Question 6

Social psychologist William McGuire suggests that when an audience agrees with you about a persuasive issue, you should inoculate them by increasing their resistance to counterpersuasion. You can do this by

Accepted Answer

McGuire suggests that increasing the audience's resistance to counterpersuasion is helpful in preventing attitude change. Thus, building up audience resistance to counterpersuasion by showing them how to refute opposing arguments is the best approach. Giving more reasons to support the shared position or attacking the opposition's credibility may be effective in some cases but are not specific to McGuire's inoculation theory. Making jokes or using demeaning slogans may be counterproductive and could activate reactance, leading to further resistance to persuasion.

Question 7

Which component of the Toulmin Model of Argument answers the following questions, "How did you get there?" and "What gives you the right to draw that conclusion?"

Accepted Answer

The component of the Toulmin Model that answers the questions "How did you get there?" and "What gives you the right to draw that conclusion?" is the warrant. The warrant is the reasoning or justification that connects the claim to the evidence. It explains why the evidence supports the claim and provides the underlying assumptions, principles, or values that support the argument.

Question 8

An important first step when choosing persuasive strategies is to

Accepted Answer

It is important to classify audience attitudes before choosing persuasive strategies because different audiences may respond differently to certain tactics. By understanding the attitudes and beliefs of the audience, a speaker can tailor their approach to be most effective.

Question 9

__________ is a place where the speaker and the audience meet without disagreeing.

Accepted Answer

Common ground refers to a shared understanding or agreement between the speaker and audience. It is a place where the two parties meet without any disagreement or conflict. This is important in effective communication as it allows for open dialogue and successful persuasion.

Question 10

Which of the following terms refers to a claim supported by evidence and reasoning for or against a claim?

Accepted Answer

An argument is a claim supported by evidence and reasoning for or against a claim. Choice A (reservation) refers to a statement expressing reluctance or doubt. Choice C (warrant) refers to the underlying justification or reasoning that connects the claim to the evidence. Choice D (backing) refers to the evidence or support that is used to justify the warrant. Choice E (qualifier) refers to a word or phrase that limits the scope or strength of the claim.

Question 11

"Free speech advocates and anti-pornography advocates would probably agree that pornography should not be available to children." This statement represents a speaker's thinking as he/she attempts to __________ for a persuasive presentation on modifying anti-pornography laws.

Accepted Answer

By acknowledging the potential agreement between free speech advocates and anti-pornography advocates, the speaker is attempting to find common ground and build a foundation for their persuasive presentation. This approach can help reduce resistance and increase the chances of acceptance for their proposed modifications to anti-pornography laws.

Question 12

During her presentation about the harmful effects of fast food on the body, Susan details the stringent methodology used in an important study, along with providing the credentials of the study's authors. Which component of the Toulmin Model of Argument was she using?

Accepted Answer

Susan was using the "backing" component of the Toulmin Model of Argument, which refers to the support or evidence provided to bolster the warrant, in this case, the methodology and credentials related to the study.

Question 13

Which component of the Toulmin Model of Argument recognizes exceptions to the argument?

Accepted Answer

The reservation in the Toulmin Model of Argument acknowledges potential exceptions or conditions under which the argument might not hold true.

Question 14

Which of the following persuasive strategies is recommended for dealing with an audience that is unconcerned about the issue you are addressing?

Accepted Answer

Giving the audience a reason to care about the issue is the best strategy in this situation. If the audience is unconcerned, it means they don't see the relevance of the issue to their lives. Providing a reason for them to care is the first step towards persuading them. Building personal credibility or providing general information may not be effective if the audience is not interested in the topic. Acknowledging both sides of the argument may not be necessary if the audience is not engaged enough to even have a position on the issue, and strengthening their resistance to counterpersuasion is counterproductive.

Question 15

Whereas informative presentations tell audiences something by giving them information or explanations, persuasive presentations ask for something from audiences-their agreement or a change in their ______________.

Accepted Answer

Persuasive presentations aim to influence audiences' opinions, attitudes, or behavior, which is reflected in option C. Options A, B, D, and E are all related to persuasive presentations in some way, but C is the most accurate choice.

Question 16

"There are 354 steps to reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty" is a claim of

Accepted Answer

The statement provides a measurable and verifiable fact about the Statue of Liberty.

Question 17

When an audience strongly disagrees with you, you are more likely to persuade them if you

Accepted Answer

When an audience strongly disagrees with you, it is important to choose a modest and realistic goal for change because this can make them more receptive to your argument. If you present a grandiose plan for change, it can be difficult for them to imagine it succeeding and they may be less likely to consider your argument seriously. By choosing a more achievable goal, you can show them that change is possible and build their trust.

Question 18

Which of the following is an opinion and not a behavior?

Accepted Answer

"The best chocolate in the world is Belgian dark" is an opinion because it is a subjective statement based on personal preference.

Question 19

A good way to start building a persuasive argument is by listing all of the ____________ you could use-all of the reasons why an audience should agree with you.

Accepted Answer

Claims are the primary components of an argument, representing the assertions or main points that support the position or opinion the speaker or writer is trying to persuade the audience to accept.

Question 20

Which component of the Toulmin Model of Argument answers the question, "How do you know that?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which component of the Toulmin Model of...

Quiz 16: Speaking to Persuade