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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonaction Information" through Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is the point of having a variety of media sources?
(a) Depth of coverage.
(b) Accuracy.
(c) Appealing to different readers.
(d) Time.

2. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster says that rules are determined by content, not codex. What does this mean?
(a) The rules for each form are determined by historical precedent, not by the topic under discussion.
(b) The rules for each form are determined by the type of writing, not the physical format that is used to convey the writing.
(c) The rules for each form are determined by the purpose of the writing, not by traditions.
(d) The rules for each form are determined by subject matter, not by the medium of transmission.

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," how does Foster define "specialty journalism"?
(a) Forms of journalism devoted to a single subject area.
(b) The newspaper sports section.
(c) Editorial writing.
(d) Feature writing.

4. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what part of a text does Foster say is "under-read"? (39).
(a) The table of contents.
(b) Titles.
(c) Introductions.
(d) The index.

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster calls a certain kind of reader the "cognoscenti." What kind of a reader is her referring to?
(a) Skeptical readers.
(b) Snobbish readers.
(c) Well-informed readers.
(d) Young readers.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what purpose do warrants serve?

2. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster call the rules governing different forms of nonfiction?

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster calls an expression a "bromide." What is he saying about this expression?

4. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," what does Foster give as the basic meaning of "preface," "prologue," and "foreward"?

5. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what is the only form of nonfiction that is not argumentative?

(see the answer key)

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