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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. What did Aristotle indicate was the result of using complex, foreign words?

2. How many periods of a lifetime did Aristotle discuss in Book II, Chapter 12?

3. How many general forms of enthymemes were discussed by Aristotle in Book II, Chapter 23?

4. What was thought to be incorrect about the example of the misuse of the epithet that Aristotle provided?

5. Which one of the following would be an example of a fallacious enthymeme?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which styles of political, forensic, and epideictic rhetoric were discussed at the end of Book III, Chapter 12?

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

3. What were some of the ways Aristotle described what was and was not possible in rhetoric and oratory?

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

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

6. As explained by Aristotle, what four common mistakes were made while writing prose?

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

8. As the second type of example, what were the two forms of the invented facts?

9. What would the a fortiori argument refer to in rhetoric?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the many aspects and traits of virtue and justice, their value in epideictic rhetoric, and the techniques that Aristotle described for applying them to epideictic speaking.

Essay Topic 3

A discussion of the epilogue ended On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse by Aristotle.

1) Describe the responsibilities of an epilogue in a speech.

2) Explain the techniques that can be used in an epilogue and what the rhetorician should do after the epilogue is completed.

3) Analyze the effect of Aristotle's work on current and future rhetoric, speeches, dialogue, and literature.

(see the answer keys)

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