ENG 102 Metropolitan Community College Rules of Rational Discourse Discussion

I’m working on a english question and need an explanation to help me study.

1. Succinctly define communication; list and briefly describe the three modes. (4 pts.)

2. List the three rules of rational discourse. (3 pts.)

3. List the 4 basic and 3 advanced rhetorical modes. (7 pts.)

B. Succinctly define each word. (Total 9 points.)

1. Plagiarism 2. Jargon 3. Redundancy 4. Anecdote 5. Paraphrase 6. Summary

7. Euphemism 8. Denotation 9. Connotation.

C. Supply the correct term for each definition. (5 points.)

1. Citing sources. 2. Academically acceptable English. 3. List of only sources named in a study.

4. Assertions from ordinary citizens.:______ a) common knowledge b) expert testimony

c) gossip d) peer testimony e) academic review f) sworn evidence g) none of these

5. Assertions from peer-reviewed professionals (select from the list at #4): _____.

D I. Philosophical Elements: list the number and matching letter on your answer page. (+10)

1. In academic matters truth is defined as: a) accepted doctrine b) traditional knowledge c) a function of descriptive statements d) revelation e) none of these f) whatever a person thinks

2. Subjectivity refers to a mental state that reflects a) adherence to a consensus b) revelation

c) ones’ unique worldview d) the study of philosophy e) commitment to fact f) all these

3. Objectivity refers to a mental state that reflects: (Select from #2)

4. A fact is: a) an unquestionable description of a thing or act b) an item of religious doctrine

c) an element of universal consensus d) a provisionally accepted description of reality

5. A theory is: a) the currently accepted explanation of a group of facts b) an imaginative construct that may or may not reflect reality c) the empirical equivalent of revelation d) a guess on how physics works based on intuition e) b & d f) none of these

6. Belief is mental content that: a) is universally accepted as true b) is universally accepted as false c) may or may not be testable in the world as we know it d) is beyond question e) all these

7. Knowledge is mental content that: a) has been tested and provisionally accepted as accurate b) has been certified by religious leaders c) has been verified or falsified d) agrees with beliefs

8. _____ is the thinking flaw that most closely reflects the subjective/objective problem. a) arguing in a circle b) confirmation bias c) the Red Herring fault d) non sequitur

9. Fiction is accepted as primarily a subjective compositional form: True or False?

10. Non-fiction is accepted as primarily a subjective compositional form: True or False?

D II. Explain the importance of Legitimate Propositions (use O.U.R. re: evidence). (+10)

E: Rhetorical Theory (12 total)

1. Succinctly outline and describe the basic elements of Aristotelian or Classical Rhetorical Theory (i.e. the matters and the appeals – the Rhetorical Triangle and the fourth appeal). (+7)

2. State the basic idea proposed by Carl Rogers for improving discussions/arguments. (+2)

3. What are the basic purposes of argument according to Toulmin and how does this clarify the ordinary idea of what “an argument” is? (+3)

F I. Literature – Basic Concepts (Answer as indicated; points indicated; 14 total).

1. Define literature. (+1)

2. In what two traditions is literature carried forth through time? (+2)

3. Name and succinctly describe the two types of language used in literature. (+2)

4. Name and succinctly define the domain that has only one genre, name the genre. (+3)

5. Name and succinctly define the domain usually considered to have four genres and name

the genres. (+6)

F II: Succinctly discuss literary criticism: list the three elements or “parts” involved, the purpose, and the ethical obligation of the critic to both fiction and non-fiction. (+10)

G: Logical Fallacies (10 points)

On your answer document, match the letter of each example with the number of the closest fallacy in the Answer Bank, as “N-23.” NB: the question on confirmation bias and the Subjective/Objective Problem for six points!

A. “You can’t prove Martians don’t live in caves, so it’s reasonable to think they do.”

B. “Isaac Newton trusted in Alchemy! Do you know more than Isaac Newton?”

C. “Everybody has these things, so, so they must really work.”

D. “Hitler was a vegetarian, so I don’t trust vegans.”

E. “Oaties are healthy. It says on the box they’re good for you.”

F. “The sun always comes up after roosters crow, so crowing roosters cause sun rise!”

G. “If you don’t vote for X, you must be a Communist.”

H. “If we let gays marry, it won’t be long until people try to marry their dogs.”

I. “All crows are black; my bird is black; therefore my bird is a crow.”

J. “I don’t understand climate change; besides, I have a right to drive the car I like, don’t I?”

ANSWER BANK

1. False Dilemma/dichotomy/Either-Or 2. Attack Persons; Ad Hominem/Populum 3. Perfidy

4. Appeal to Ignorance 5. Proletarianism 6.Causation/Post Hoc Fallacy 7. Circular Argument

8. Illogical Conclusion/Non Sequitur 8. Analemma 9. Begging the Question 10. Kantianism

11. Appeal to Popular Opinion 12. Appeal to Moderation 13. Syllogism Fallacy 14. Deism

15. Association Fallacy 16. Dissociation Fallacy 17. Slippery Slope 18. Appeal to Authority

19. Appeal to Mysticism 20. Arguing Off the Subject/Red Herring 21. Ratiocination

GII: *For SIX more points , succinctly describe the Subjective/Objective Problem and explain how it relates to confirmation bias. CHECK A FILE