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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How often did Aristotle think complex words should be used in a speech?

2. How were antithesis sayings defined by Aristotle?

3. Based on Aristotle's views, how should any good speech be appropriate?

4. Focusing on what they found useful, what did Aristotle say older people cared less about?

5. What did Aristotle think a high value of life in older people led to?

Short Essay Questions

1. Based on Aristotle's discussion at the beginning of Book II, Chapter 12, which things could influence a person's feelings?

2. In Aristotle's opinion, why were non-logical ways necessary to convince certain audiences of a sound argument?

3. Which rules for poetry and prose did Aristotle outline in Book III, Chapter 2?

4. How did Aristotle define a maxim?

5. What were some of the characteristics of a refutative enthymeme?

6. What clarification did Aristotle make about amplification, enthymemes, and the soundness of enthymemes at the end of the section?

7. How did Aristotle explain the different kinds of arguments used by the three types of rhetoric in Book II, Chapter 18?

8. Why might an enthymeme have been more effective with a surprising conclusion?

9. Which example did Aristotle use to display the fallacious ways an enthymeme could be formed?

10. What was Aristotle's opinion of the paean rhythm in prose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the seven causes of human action, including a detailed example of each cause, an explanation of which causes were considered to be voluntary or involuntary by Aristotle, and the influence they might have in wrongdoing.

Essay Topic 2

Define rhetoric in detail, its uses, and in which settings it would be the most effective. Include an analysis of the three modes of persuasion as well as two examples of each mode.

Essay Topic 3

Political rhetoric was one of the most popular forms of public speaking during Aristotle's time.

1) Describe the five subjects of political oratory and why Aristotle thought it was important for a political rhetorician to have a working knowledge of them.

2) Explain how a knowledge of happiness, the good, and the useful were beneficial in political rhetoric.

3) Analyze the different forms of government and their role in political rhetoric.

(see the answer keys)

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