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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 historical precedent, not by the topic under discussion.
(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.

2. The section of this book called "The Books in the Book" is what part of the book?
(a) A foreward.
(b) A preface.
(c) An appendix.
(d) The introduction.

3. Based on Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," how would Foster sum up the place of newspapers in today's world?
(a) Although they are losing popularity, they are still an essential form of news media.
(b) In a connected world, newspapers are simply irrelevant.
(c) Because we have invested heavily in modern newspapers, they have grown in popularity.
(d) Print newspapers may be obsolete, but online newspapers serve the same purpose.

4. 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 news item that also contains opinion.
(c) A brief summary of or tease for the event described in an article.
(d) A short introductory piece of writing by an author who is not the author of the longer piece that follows.

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," where does Foster say editorial content can usually be found in the newspaper?
(a) The last page or pages of the front section.
(b) At the very end of the last section.
(c) In its own section.
(d) Throughout most sections.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster call the "second draft of history"?

2. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," one of the main points that Foster wants to make about All the President's Men is that it is a kind of writing he calls what?

3. In Chapter 5, "It May Just Be Me, But..." Foster says that a source's quote can be "emended" (55). What happens to an emended quote?

4. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what part of a text does Foster say is "under-read"? (39).

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster notes that the expectation for a writer to be engaging does not apply to which types of writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6, "Source Code," what two problems does Foster identify with the use of data as support?

2. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," why does Foster call the organization of The Boys in the Boat "kaleidoscopic" (14)?

3. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," what does Foster seem to admire about the Lansing State Journal's coverage of the Nassar scandal?

4. In Chapter 5, "It May Just Be Me, But..." how does Foster suggest that a reader can examine the author's use of quotes to determine bias?

5. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," what does Foster compare to "wrestl[ing] an octopus," (81), and why does he make this comparison?

6. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," what are the two main functions of the prologue that Foster discusses?

7. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," Foster discusses tables of contents and indexes. What is similar about these two things and what is different?

8. At the end of "Building Blocks of Arguments," Foster discusses mistakes in claims, grounds, and warrants. He gives the example of someone born in American Samoa claiming to be a U.S. citizen. Since American Samoa is not a territory that the U.S. recognizes as conferring birthright citizenship, Foster says that this argument is mistaken in its grounds. Is it? Explain why or why not.

9. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," why does Foster say that focus and telos can change if the structure of a work is changed?

10. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster explains the origin of the prologue. What is its origin and how is that origin reflected in today's prologues?

(see the answer keys)

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