Review Sheet for COM 334 Final Exam
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 14 4:30-6:20 in CMU 326
Review Session: Monday, December 13 5-6pm in CMU 126
On the exam there will be four types of questions that test your recall of concepts, your
ability to identify concepts, your ability to apply concepts, and your ability to construct
and evaluate arguments. You should be able to identify and define the concepts listed
below. You should also be able to evaluate written arguments, identify weaknesses, and
construct counter-arguments. You should be able to craft clear arguments, free of
fallacies, that advance solid thesis statements, develop strong claims, and support claims
with appropriate reasoning and evidence. The exam will consist of multiple choice
questions, fill in the blank questions, and short answer questions; you will also be asked
to critically analyze sample texts, and write policy arguments.
Concepts
Essentials of argument
- Argument, Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Level of Dispute
Models of reasoning
- Quasilogial Arguments, Analogical Arguments, Generalization, Arguments From
Cause, Coexistential Arguments, Dissociation Arguments
Fallacies (see the text as well as Appendix C)
- Ad Hominem, Ad Populum, Appeal to Tradition, Straw Arguments, Begging the
Question, Non Sequitur, Slippery Slope, False Analogy, Hasty Generalization,
Post Hoc Fallacy
Stock Issues for a policy case
- Ill, Blame, Cure, Cost-Benefit
Models for constructing an affirmative policy case
- Needs Case, Comparative-Advantages Case, Goal Case
Models refuting an affirmative policy case
- Direct Refutation, Defense of Existing Policy, Defense of Existing Policy With
Minor Repairs, Counter-Proposals
4 step refutation
- What they argue: Explain the claim, support and reasoning for the opposition;
What I argue: Make your counter-argument; Why I’m right: Compare the
arguments to explain why yours is better; Why it matters: Explain the impact of
your argument.