Deck 18: The Rhetoric

Question 1

Aristotle's definition of ___________ has become corrupted over the years and now is used as a pejorative term for words without substance or action.

A) sophistry
B) logos
C) rhetoric
D) style

Answer 1

rhetoric

Question 2

In this classic syllogism, which element is the minor premise? "All humans are mortal. Aristotle is human. Aristotle is mortal."

A) All humans are mortal.
B) Aristotle is human.
C) Aristotle is mortal.
D) none of these

Answer 2

Aristotle is human.

Question 3

One assumption of the Aristotelian theory of rhetoric is that effective speakers must consider their audiences. This assumption underscores the notion of communication as

A) a symbolic activity
B) a linear process
C) centering on a speaker's perceived sense of power
D) a transactional process

Answer 3

a transactional process

Question 4

Before he creates his speech, Antonio considers the age, sex, and educational level of his audience. Antonio is engaging in

A) the activities associated with the canon known as style
B) audience analysis
C) predictive behavior
D) role playing

Question 5

_________ refers to the perceived character, intelligence, and goodwill of a speaker.

A) Ethos
B) Pathos
C) Mythos
D) Logos

Question 6

The use of language to express ideas in a certain manner is called

A) deliberation
B) delivery
C) audience adaptation
D) style

Question 7

A syllogism represents a form of ____________ logic.

A) inductive
B) ethos-based
C) deductive
D) rhetorical

Question 8

Which of the following accurately states one of Aristotle's assumptions?

A) Effective speakers must use logical appeals to influence their audience.
B) Effective speakers utilize a number of proofs in their presentations.
C) Effective speakers need not adapt to their audience.
D) Effective speakers must primarily be concerned with arrangement.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of Aristotle's canons of rhetoric?

A) memory
B) arrangement
C) style
D) elocution

Question 10

A speech should contain

A) topoi, inventio, and elecutio
B) power and vision
C) metaphors and idioms
D) introduction, body, and conclusion

Question 11

Kameka is an assistant district attorney in a small New England town. She is about to prosecute Parker, who is accused of blackmail and fraud. To establish guilt, Kameka will

A) rely on ethos and mythos to prove her point
B) need to establish Parker's motivation for doing wrong
C) employ the technique known as "bait and switch"
D) have to put Parker on the witness stand

Question 12

Aristotle felt that _________ and _________ ranked above all other virtues.

A) courage; justice
B) honesty; nationalism
C) righteousness; promise keeping
D) honor; duty

Question 13

While running for president of the United States, Barack Obama gave many speeches advocating health care reform in the United States. These speeches were a form of _________ oratory.

A) epideictic
B) forensic
C) ceremonial
D) deliberative

Question 14

Aristotle's Rhetoric has been criticized for its

A) contradictions
B) incoherence
C) view of the audience as being passive
D) all of these

Question 15

_____________ were teachers of public speaking in ancient Greece.

A) Philosophers
B) Sophists
C) Politicians
D) Deliberators

Question 16

Which approach to knowing characterizes the research done using Aristotle's ideas about rhetoric?

A) semiotic
B) interpretive
C) critical
D) positivistic/empirical

Question 17

The Rhetoric passes which of the following criteria for theory evaluation?

A) logical consistency
B) test of time
C) scope
D) parsimony

Question 18

Isabella is working on a project on rhetoric for her communication studies class. She has to observe an example of forensic rhetoric. Where should Isabella go to complete her assignment?

A) a political rally
B) a funeral
C) a courthouse
D) a city council meeting

Question 19

When U.S. senators debate on the floor of the Senate, arguing for or against a particular policy that the body is about to vote on, they are engaging in which type of rhetoric?

A) epideictic
B) deliberative
C) enthymematic
D) syllogistic

Question 20

Which of the following canons refers to having a basic understanding of material and techniques for a speech?

A) invention
B) creation
C) creativity
D) memory

Question 21

Aristotle believed that there are five subjects on which people deliberate: revenue, war and peace, the defense of the country, commerce, and legislation.

Question 22

The canon of delivery is concerned with knowing what to say and when to say it.

Question 23

"Drunk driving can kill people. College students drink and drive. Therefore, college students can kill others (by drinking and driving)."
is an example of a syllogism.

Question 24

The introduction of a speech should gain the audience's attention, suggest a connection with the audience, and provide an overview of the speech's purpose.

Question 25

The available means of persuasion are known as ethos, logos, and pathos.

Question 26

Rhetoric has useful applications in fields other than communication.

Question 27

It is possible for a speaker to eliminate pathos from an epideictic speech.

Question 28

Aristotle's Rhetoric has been criticized for encouraging speakers to avoid focusing on logos but then also incorporating it as a strategy that he recommended.

Question 29

Think of a speech you've heard recently. Analyze it using as many concepts from Aristotle's Rhetoric as you deem relevant.

Question 30

Identify and define the five canons of rhetoric. Give an example to illustrate each one.

Question 31

Identify the three types of oratory, and provide an example of each.

Question 32

What did Aristotle mean by the "moral habits"
of a person?

Question 33

Why is the study of rhetoric important to the democratic process?

Question 34

Write a short persuasive argument on any topic using the concepts forwarded by Aristotle in the Rhetoric. It is not necessary to use every single element perfectly, but it is important to demonstrate a clear understanding of all of the critical elements of rhetorical theory.

Question 35

Evaluate Aristotle's ideas according to the criteria used to judge theories.

Question 36

[Provide a transcript of a short speech by a recognizable figure.] Analyze this speech using as many concepts from Aristotle's Rhetoric as you deem relevant.