Debate Jargon and Fallacy Pre-quiz
Directions: Please circle the correct answer. If you are sure that you do not know the answer,
please circle the choice “I don’t know.” If you think you might know the answer but aren’t sure, go
ahead and circle what you think it is. You may ask me to clarify any question.
1) A unit of thought that is meant to be persuasive is called a(n):
A. Argument
B. Data
C. Warrant
D. I don’t know
2) The part of an argument that is a brief statement of what you want the audience to believe is
called a(n):
A. Claim
B. Warrant
C. Evidence
D. I don’t know
3) The formal statement of the topic to be debated is called a(n):
A. Topic sentence
B. Claim
C. Resolution
D. I don’t now
4) This occurs only when both sides of the debate are arguing opposite sides of the same
argument(s).
A. Candor
B. Clash
C. Cacophony
D. I don’t know
5) This is the jargon term for an argument
A. Clash
B. Contention
C. Candor
D. I don’t know
6) This jargon term simply means “taking notes over a debate.”
A. Flow
B. Drop
C. Contention
D. I don’t know
7) The arguments you think are key in the debate round, and should influence the judge to vote
for you
A. Rebuttals
B. Contentions
C. Voting Issues
D. I don’t know
8) A “pre-emptive” argument that supports a previous argument meant to address a hypothetical
refutation of one’s position
A. Spike
B. Trap
C. Voting Issue
D. I don’t know
9) An explicit statement at the end of a contention meant to show how the contention supports
you side of the resolution is called a(n):
A. Crystalization
B. Spike
C. Underview
D. I don’t know
10) This is a kind of argument fallacy where the reasoning doesn’t seem to “follow” the conclusion
or vice versa
A. Non Sequitur
B. Ad Hominem
C. Slippery Slope
D. I don’t know
11) This is a kind of argument fallacy where a debater attacks the character of his opponent and
not the points raised in the debate
A. Slippery Slope
B. Ad Hominem
C. Non Sequitur
D. I don’t know
12) This is a kind of argument fallacy where a debater equates one degree of an event or
situation with the most extreme form of an event or situation.
A. Ad Hominem
B. Non Sequitur
C. Slippery Slope
D. I don’t know