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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 2: Chapter 5, "It May Just Be Me, But..." through Chapter 8, "Bringing the News".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," what does Foster say is the purpose of the "four Ps?"
(a) To establish the writer's credibility.
(b) To lay out the essentials of the work to follow.
(c) To explain the structural design of the work.
(d) To fill the reader in on important context.

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 the type of writing, not the physical format that is used to convey the writing.
(b) The rules for each form are determined by the purpose of the writing, not by traditions.
(c) The rules for each form are determined by subject matter, not by the medium of transmission.
(d) The rules for each form are determined by historical precedent, not by the topic under discussion.

3. What definition of "lede" does Foster give In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere"?
(a) A counterclaim to the main argument.
(b) A short introductory piece of writing by an author who is not the author of the longer piece that follows.
(c) A news item that also contains opinion.
(d) A brief summary of or tease for the event described in an article.

4. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," what does Foster say beginning writers often get too caught up in?
(a) Exposition.
(b) Dialogue.
(c) Narrative.
(d) Description.

5. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what is the implicit argument of most nonfiction writing?
(a) That the subject matter is important enough to read about.
(b) That the writer's angle on the subject is the correct one.
(c) That the reader should change their beliefs or behavior.
(d) That the writer has the authority to write about the subject.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster uses the word "etymologically" to describe what?

3. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," what does Foster say is the purpose of the academic five-paragraph essay?

4. In Chapter 5, "It May Just Be Me, But..." what does Foster say is usually the difference between quoted anonymous sources and sources speaking "on background"?

5. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster mentions a "squib." What is a squib, in this context?

(see the answer key)

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