Title: Analysis and Synthesis
Course: Question Banks

Q: Which of the following is a definition of analysis?
- The making of a judgment or assessment (Incorrect. This is the definition of evaluation. While evaluation is often coupled with analysis, it is not the same thing.)
- A brief statement or account of the main points of something (Incorrect. This is the definition of summary. Summary condenses things. While summary can be coupled with analysis, it is not the same thing.)
- A combining of elements to create something new. (Incorrect. This is the definition of synthesis. While analysis can lead to synthesis, they do not have the same objective.)
- The process of methodically breaking something down to gain a better understanding of it (Correct. Analysis is breaking something down to gain a better understanding of it.)
A: The process of methodically breaking something down to gain a better understanding of it

Q: Each of the following is a type of analytical assignment except:
- An assignment that asks you to explain how the parts relate to the whole (Incorrect. This assignment is asking for analysis.)
- An assignment that asks you to explain how something works. (Incorrect. This assignment is asking for analysis.)
- An assignment that identifies motives, causes, or assumptions in another scholar’s argument (Incorrect. This assignment is asking for analysis.)
- An assignment that asks you to report what happened at an event. (Correct. This assignment is asking you to retell something rather than analyzing it.)
A: An assignment that asks you to report what happened at an event.

Q: Which of the following is not an example of analysis?
- to separate relevant from irrelevant information in testimony (Incorrect. This is an example of asking why something is important, which is a type of analysis.)
- to recognize flaws, inconsistencies, and logical inconsistencies in a newspaper editorial (Incorrect. This is an example of asking how something works, which is a type of analysis.)
- to determine how well a feminist interpretation is supported by textual evidence in a poem (Incorrect. This is an example of asking how the parts relate to the whole, which is a type of analysis.)
- to share a story from one’s own childhood that you consider particularly entertaining (Correct. This is an example of literary storytelling, which does not perform an analysis.)
A: to share a story from one’s own childhood that you consider particularly entertaining

Q: While analysis is difficult, a writer can develop a substantive paper by:
- Deciding beforehand what the analysis will prove (Incorrect. Analysis should be undertaken from an exploratory, open standpoint.)
- Situating themselves as an advocate or opponent of the subject under analysis (Incorrect. Effective analysis can not be undertaken from a rigidly fixed position.)
- Keeping it light and not boring the reader with too many details (Incorrect. Effective analysis should assume an attentive, inquisitive reader who wants to learn something from reading your work.)
- Putting aside preconceived ideas or judgments (Correct. Analysis should be undertaken with an open mind, and should demonstrate that some new understanding has been achieved.)
A: Putting aside preconceived ideas or judgments

Q: The task of the analyst is to:
- Attack the subject under consideration (Incorrect. Analysis offers a well-supported interpretation built on compelling evidence.)
- Make something up or suggest something that isn't there (Incorrect. Analysis offers a well-supported interpretation built on compelling evidence.)
- Tell a story from one’s own life that is entertaining. (Incorrect. Simply retelling events is not an example of analysis.)
- Offer a well-supported interpretation with the aim of convincing the reader that the interpretation is plausible, rather than invincible (Correct. Analysis offers a well-supported interpretation built on compelling evidence.)
A: Offer a well-supported interpretation with the aim of convincing the reader that the interpretation is plausible, rather than invincible

Q: Each of the following may be a barrier to analysis except:
- Analysis may challenge a person's ideas or beliefs. (Incorrect. An unwillingness to challenge one’s belief can be an obstacle to effective analysis.)
- Analysis kills fun. (Incorrect. This perception can certainly be a barrier to analysis, and it’s important to understand that while scholarly writing can be rewarding its purpose is not primarily to have fun.)
- Analysis invents meaning. (Incorrect. This perception can certainly be a barrier to analysis, and it’s important for an analyst to scrupulously cite and credibly integrate her sources.)
- Analysis may facilitate deeper understanding. (Correct. Enabling and demonstrating a deeper understanding is in fact one of the key purposes of analysis.)
A: Analysis may facilitate deeper understanding.

Q: To avoid the criticism that an analytic interpretation is "mere speculation," an analyst should:
- use unequivocal language (Incorrect. Speaking from a place of already established certainty is presumptuous, and will not convince your reader that you are undertaking an exploratory analysis so as to learn something new.)
- repeat the interpretation often (Incorrect. Repetition is not the same thing as coherently developing a step-by-step argument based on evidence.)
- simply guess as to a plausible view (Incorrect. While admitting you don’t know the answers beforehand is important, you do want to move beyond guesswork and into a detailed, credible analysis.)
- offer a variety of evidence (Correct. A range of well-supported examples and effectively cited sources will strengthen your work and make your analysis more credible and convincing.)
A: offer a variety of evidence

Q: Which of the following best defines the idea of suspending judgment when analyzing?
- Making a decision about a topic, idea, or artifact based on your beliefs before doing research (Incorrect. Suspending judgment involves approaching a topic, idea, or artifact without bias or presuppositions.)
- Setting a predetermined amount of time before you will make judgment about a topic, issue, or artifact (Incorrect. Suspending judgment involves approaching a topic, idea, or artifact without bias or presuppositions. Setting an amount of time before you judge something does not guarantee you are looking at it with an open mind.)
- Agreeing with whatever seems to be the majority opinion on a given issue (Incorrect. Suspending judgment involves approaching a topic, idea, or artifact without bias or presuppositions.)
- Approaching a topic, idea, or artifact with an open mind (Correct. Suspending judgment involves approaching a topic, idea, or artifact without bias or presuppositions.)
A: Approaching a topic, idea, or artifact with an open mind

Q: Malik is researching the effects of tobacco and cigarette advertising on American teens and youth. Why is it important for him to suspend judgment regarding this particular issue?
- He is coming to a common sense conclusion about tobacco and cigarette advertising based on evidence and reasoning. (Incorrect. An effective analysis does not settle for obvious or commonplace conclusions, but rather works from a position of exploration and originality.)
- He is analyzing how well the sources he has researched affect their audiences based on their modes of communication. (Incorrect. Examining how others construct arguments is a part of rhetorical awareness, but is not the same thing as offering one’s own well-earned, credible perspective.)
- He is comparing and contrasting different viewpoints to inform the reader what different scholars have concluded. (Incorrect. While it’s important to demonstrate an understanding of our sources, simply comparing and contrasting them in a summary is not the same thing as offering one’s own well-earned, credible perspective.)
- He is allowing a truly organic research process to take place, and is signaling to his readers that he approached the issue with an open mind. (Correct. Analyzing with an open mind shows your reader that you are trying to methodically think through and explore a complex question or issue.)
A: He is allowing a truly organic research process to take place, and is signaling to his readers that he approached the issue with an open mind.

Q: In an effort to be more aware of his own rhetoric, Helmut is revising his argumentative essay so that it no longer has a presumptuous, or haughty and overconfident, tone that makes the paper read as if he’s already made up his mind about the issue at hand. Why is it important for him to revise his work in this way?
- A presumptuous tone should be replaced by a broad summary of what others have said on the issue at hand. (Incorrect. While brief summaries provide an important contextual framework for our own arguable perspectives, they are not sufficient in and of themselves and are not necessarily related to the tone we employ as writers.)
- A presumptuous tone should only appear in the paper’s introduction, so Helmut is actually just moving it to that section. (Incorrect. Unearned certainly has no place in an exploratory analysis, and is especially inappropriate in the paper’s introduction.)
- Helmut doesn’t like to sound like a negative person, so he’s changing his tone to suggest that all perspectives are equally reasonable. (Incorrect. An argumentative paper should credibly advocate for its own interpretation or perspective, though it should do so in a respectfully assertive way.)
- A presumptuous tone can be off-putting to our reader and is not a sound rhetorical strategy. (Correct. A tone that seems to take for granted that our reader already agrees with us is likely to be frustrating, and will likely not result in a compelling, rhetorically effective paper.)
A: A presumptuous tone can be off-putting to our reader and is not a sound rhetorical strategy.

Q: Which of the following is an example of an effective analytical thesis statement?
- The idea behind the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was to bring images of beautiful women to readers across the globe through full-color pages and interesting stories. (Incorrect. This sentence only presents an obvious reason for the advent of the magazine and does not set up a deeper exploration of "how," "why," and "so what.")
- The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has been controversial since its introduction in 1964, with many arguments being made for and against its very idea. (Incorrect. While this sentence sounds like it could precede a thesis statement, it is only a self-evident observation, and does not itself offer an arguable perspective.)
- The annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was the best-selling issue of 1976. (Incorrect. This is a simple statement of fact, and does not require a thorough, exploratory analysis in order to be substantiated.)
- The original idea behind the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue can be better understood in the context of the feminist movement of the 1960s. (Correct. This sentence sets up an analyst’s "how," "why," and "so what" and lets readers know they will need to examine an idea’s historical context.*)
A: The original idea behind the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue can be better understood in the context of the feminist movement of the 1960s.

Q: Read the following draft of an analytical thesis statement and determine which answer below best addresses the problem with it:

Maybelline's new ad campaign features beautiful models in fun situations because the company wants to distract people from the fact that it still tests products on animals.
- The claim doesn't address the "why." (Incorrect. The statement does include the writer's interpretation of why the ads are produced in a certain way.)
- The student didn't use analysis to reach the claim. (Incorrect. Though the claim here is extremely unlikely, the writer is technically analyzing and making an interpretation.)
- The student didn’t address the “so what?” question; that is, it’s hard to say what’s at stake in the argument, or why it matters. (Incorrect. While flawed in other ways, this statement does suggest that animals and consumers are being harmed and that this matters.)
- The claim isn't reasoned. (Correct. Though the ad may feature beautiful models in fun situations and Maybelline may still test products on animals, it is extremely unlikely that the two ideas are related, and very few, if any, reasonable readers would see a connection.)
A: The claim isn't reasoned.

Q: Read the following draft of an analytical thesis statement and determine which of the approaches below is the best for incorporating evidence:

Dave Eggers' novel The Circle continues an American literary tradition in which science-fiction imagines a future darkened by technology. The novel shows us how those trying to control the masses might not always be ethical people, and it urges us to consider the potential consequences of sharing details of our lives with others on social media.
- The writer could point out examples of how he or she has shared information on social media and then regretted it later. (Incorrect. This example contains no reference to The Circle even though the claim sets up an analysis of Eggers' book.)
- The writer could make a list of previous pessimistic science-fiction literature and analyze the impact it had on the role of technology in American culture. (Incorrect. While some such information might work well, this example contains no reference to The Circle even though the claim sets up an analysis of Eggers' book.)
- The writer could explain how much he liked or disliked Eggers’ novel as compared to other recent novels that he has read. (Incorrect. While this strategy at least addresses the novel cited in the thesis statement, it veers from making an argument and instead offers personal opinions that are a matter of taste.)
- The writer could reference some previous pessimistic science-fiction works and analyze how Eggers' book builds on those ideas in a modern context where many people don't see potential dangers in technology. (Correct. This example would contain evidence to back the specific claim that the writer has introduced.)
A: The writer could reference some previous pessimistic science-fiction works and analyze how Eggers' book builds on those ideas in a modern context where many people don't see potential dangers in technology.

Q: Adrianna is thinking about the best way to add evidence to her research paper and gets advice from the teaching assistant. Which advice would NOT be helpful to Adrianna?
- One should be clear and explicit with evidence. (Incorrect. It’s always a good idea to explain your points about the evidence in detail, and to provide information and context as necessary.)
- One should move past obvious interpretations. (Incorrect. It’s always a good idea to avoid self-evident statements, as your arguments should be complex enough to require a thorough discussion in order to be substantiated.)
- One should be selective about evidence. (Incorrect. It’s a sound practice to narrow down your sources and only cite those that are both relevant and reasonably interrelated in meaningful ways.)
- One should use as many sources as possible. (Correct. This would not be a sound strategy, as it would be better to choose the most relevant and focused sources for supporting and complicating our arguments.)
A: One should use as many sources as possible.

Q: Which of the following is NOT good advice to follow when formulating an analytical thesis?
- Make sure your main claim is reasoned. (Incorrect. A reasonable person with access to the information you’ve cited should be able to plausibly reach the same conclusions as you.)
- Use analysis to help you get to a main claim. (Incorrect. It is always necessary to use analysis to substantiate and complicate your main claim.)
- Explain why your claim matters, or why a response or action is called for. (Incorrect. It is rhetorically effective to explain to your reader why the issue under discussion, and your perspective on it, is important or consequential.)
- Decide on a main claim beforehand and stick to it exactly throughout your drafting process. (Correct. It is more rhetorically effective to allow your thinking to evolve organically as you explore and substantiate your thesis.)
A: Decide on a main claim beforehand and stick to it exactly throughout your drafting process.

Q: Read the following analytical thesis statement and determine what is missing that could improve it:

The latest ad campaign from McDonald's incorporates throwbacks to previous decades such as images of drive-ins as part of an effort to appeal to more senior citizens.
- The thesis statement is missing the "how." (Incorrect. While flawed in other ways, the thesis does try to explain how the ad is constructing its pitch to a given audience.)
- The thesis statement is missing the "why." (Incorrect. While flawed in other ways, the thesis does try to explain why the ad is using a particular strategy.)
- The thesis statement is missing the “when.” (Incorrect. This is not always an important consideration for every type of thesis, though historical context can certainly be relevant.)
- The thesis statement is missing the "so what." (Correct. This thesis does not explain why the ad’s strategy has some effect or consequence that is important and needs to be addressed.)
A: The thesis statement is missing the "so what."

Q: In his Intro to Shakespeare class, Giancarlo hands in an essay draft with the following draft of a thesis statement:

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the title character is a confused protagonist who fails to act.

Why is this not an effective thesis statement and what could be done to improve it?
- It sounds too judgmental and should instead avoid personal negativity. (Incorrect. Scholarly criticism is not the same thing as negativity, and we should be careful not to confuse argumentation in an essay with arguments among upset people in a social context.)
- It does not explain the “what” and should specify a focused topic. (Incorrect. While flawed in other ways, this draft of a thesis does clearly state what particular topic it will explore.)
- The thesis statement is missing the “when,” and should be changed to specify the historical dates in the play. (Incorrect. This is not always an important consideration for every type of thesis, though historical context can certainly be relevant.)
- It is a self-evident summary statement, though it could be made analytical by addressing the “so what” question regarding why Hamlet’s indecision is worth exploring. (Correct. A summary may provide an introductory context for proposing a thesis, but it is not the same thing as an analysis that breaks down and closely scrutinizes a subject.)
A: It is a self-evident summary statement, though it could be made analytical by addressing the “so what” question regarding why Hamlet’s indecision is worth exploring.

Q: Consider the following passage from the article on student writing called “Introductory Paragraph.”

Right after your title is the introductory paragraph. Like an appetizer before a meal, the introductory paragraph sets up the reader’s palate and gives him a foretaste of what is to come. You want to start your paper on a positive note by putting forth the best writing possible.

Which statement below best infers the thesis of this passage?
- The implicit thesis is that the placement of an introductory paragraph right after a title is most important. A reader will recognize this as a “how-to” article, and will expect to see a numbered diagram of the parts of a paper as she keeps reading. (Incorrect. There is no evidence in the above passage that a “how-to” article should be expected, or that our topic, effective argumentative writing, would necessarily involve diagrams.)
- The implicit thesis is that writing should always be cheerful and inspiring. The reader will recognize the encouragement towards using positive language, and will expect to see illustrations of the impact of uplifting writing as she keeps reading. (Incorrect. The passage is referring to a “positive” early impression in the sense that the reader will perceive the writer as knowledgeable and credible, and not necessarily as positive in the sense of cheerfulness.)
- The implicit thesis is that your introductory paragraph should say as many things as possible about your topic. It’s important to immediately demonstrate that you have many points to make. (Incorrect. The passage does not address the scale of one’s argument, and it is always a best practice to use the introductory paragraph as a place to focus your analysis and to imply that it will be developed in the body of your paper.)
- The implicit thesis is that an introductory paragraph sets the tone for the rest of an essay that follows. A reader will recognize this as a close examination of the purpose of an introductory paragraph, and will expect to see examples and clarifications about introductions as she keeps reading. (Correct. The passage utilizes an analogy, and relies on the reader’s familiarity with courses in a meal to explain the purpose of an introductory paragraph in an argumentative essay. The reader will thus infer that more information is forthcoming about this purpose.)
A: The implicit thesis is that an introductory paragraph sets the tone for the rest of an essay that follows. A reader will recognize this as a close examination of the purpose of an introductory paragraph, and will expect to see examples and clarifications about introductions as she keeps reading.

Q: Consider the following passage from the article “Nutrition.”

Developing healthy eating habits doesn’t require you to sign up for a gimmicky health-food diet or lifestyle, and you don’t have to become vegan, gluten-free, “paleo,” or go on regular juice fasts. It’s okay to take small, simple steps. The key is choosing a variety of foods and beverages from each food group (vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, and dairy)—and making sure that each choice is limited in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.

Which statement below best infers the thesis of this passage?
- The implicit thesis is that it might take a while to find a specific diet plan that’s right for you, so you should try them all. A reader will recognize the different names of diet plans in this passage, and expect to learn more about each type of diet as he keeps reading. (Incorrect. The passage does not recommend working through a variety of diets and then settling on one, but rather suggests that some diets are insufficiently science-based and should be avoided.)
- The implicit thesis is that different people require different amounts of items in each food group. A reader will recognize this as a classification essay, and will expect to find charts telling him which category he falls into as he keeps reading. (Incorrect. The passage does not address the dietary needs of different types of people, nor does it imply that the essay to follow will discuss this topic.)
- The implicit thesis is that access to healthy food is dependent on factors like economic class and geography. (Incorrect. The passage does not address these factors, and we should be careful not to draw inferences that are unsupported by the words and sentences in the text.)
- The implicit thesis is that healthy eating involves making smart choices on a daily basis, rather than following one concrete set of rules. A reader will be encouraged by the message of this passage, and will expect to learn more about what these smart choices consist of as he keeps reading. (Correct. The passage suggests that what is needed is not so much a specific diet program as a set of generally applicable science-based guidelines.)
A: The implicit thesis is that healthy eating involves making smart choices on a daily basis, rather than following one concrete set of rules. A reader will be encouraged by the message of this passage, and will expect to learn more about what these smart choices consist of as he keeps reading.

Q: Read the short passage below. Determine whether the thesis is explicit or implicit, then choose the best explanation of why this is true.

- “Hamilton,” the big winner of the 2015-16 Broadway season, has done more for the promotion of theater in this generation than any other because of its multicultural casting, parallel political themes, and contemporary rap music score.
- This is an implicit thesis because the reader can infer that the author loved the play and is promoting it. (Incorrect. While the author’s tone and specificity signal to the reader that she is a credible, knowledgeable author, there is nothing here to suggest a personal preference or opinion based on taste.)
- This is an explicit thesis because it lists examples. (Incorrect. While clearly stated examples can be part of an explicit thesis statement, what makes this thesis explicit is that it directly tells the reader what it will be arguing.)
- This is an implicit thesis because it requires that you read between the lines. (Incorrect. This thesis statement directly states what it will argue in the paper to follow.)
- This is an explicit thesis because it directly tells us what we are about to read and offers an assertion about it. (Correct. This thesis statement does not require us to reason from its context what the paper to follow will argue, but instead states this in clear terms.)
A: This is an explicit thesis because it directly tells us what we are about to read and offers an assertion about it.

Q: Which type of analysis focuses on the way authors or speakers communicate their message?
- critical analysis (Incorrect. A critical analysis examines a specific cultural artifact or object, not the methods or ingredients used to construct an argument.)
- process analysis (Incorrect. A process analysis breaks down a task to provide step-by-step instructions or explanatory guidance.)
- literary analysis (Incorrect. A literary analysis breaks down and examines texts such as poems or novels, often so as to better understand the cultural and historical contexts in which those expressive works are considered meaningful.)
- rhetorical analysis (Correct. If rhetoric is the art of persuasive and effective communication that is appropriate to a given situation, then a rhetorical analysis will examine and break down the specific techniques that a writer or speaker is using to construct an argument.)
A: rhetorical analysis

Q: Which type of analysis would be appropriate for the following assignment description?

For this assignment, you will immerse yourself in The New York Times Opinion section, reading multiple contributors and ultimately choosing an Op-Ed that you find interesting and substantial. You will then analyze the methods and ingredients the author has chosen to make his or her case. The author's choices will likely have addressed things like cultural and historical context, purpose, audience, tone, diction, syntax, and will employ some combination of ethos, pathos, and logos.
- process analysis (Incorrect. A process analysis breaks down a task to provide step-by-step instructions or explanatory guidance.)
- literary analysis (Incorrect. A literary analysis breaks down and examines texts such as poems or novels, often so as to better understand the cultural and historical contexts in which those expressive works are considered meaningful.)
- critical analysis (Incorrect. A critical analysis examines a specific cultural artifact or object, not the methods or ingredients used to construct an argument.)
- rhetorical analysis (Correct. If rhetoric is the art of persuasive and effective communication that is appropriate to a given situation, then a rhetorical analysis will examine and break down the specific techniques that a writer or speaker is using to construct an argument.)
A: rhetorical analysis

Q: For her Speech and Communication class, Leilani receives an assignment to attend a mayoral debate during election season in her hometown. She is asked to take notes during the exchange and to both note the audience members’ reactions during the question-and-answer period and to write up a short description of the different techniques and appeals the two speakers used when presenting their arguments. Finally, she is asked to conclude her paper by explaining which candidate she found the most convincing and why. The type of analysis she has undertaken can most accurately be described by which term below?
- Process analysis (Incorrect. A process analysis breaks down a task to provide step-by-step instructions or explanatory guidance.)
- Literary analysis (Incorrect. A literary analysis breaks down and examines texts such as poems or novels, often so as to better understand the cultural and historical contexts in which those expressive works are considered meaningful.)
- Critical analysis (Incorrect. A critical analysis examines a specific cultural artifact or object, not the methods or ingredients used to construct an argument.)
- Rhetorical analysis (Correct. If rhetoric is the art of persuasive and effective communication that is appropriate to a given situation, then a rhetorical analysis will examine and break down the specific techniques that a writer or speaker is using to construct an argument.)
A: Rhetorical analysis

Q: For his Media Studies class, Mason is asked to review televised statements given in their defense by the only two American presidents to have been impeached. His task is to consider the degree to which the statements appeal to emotion, logic, or ethics, and to examine what evidence is presented and how that evidence is utilized as support for individuals’ claims of innocence. The type of analysis he has undertaken can most accurately be described by which term below?
- Process analysis
- Literary analysis
- Critical analysis
- Rhetorical analysis
A: Rhetorical analysis

Q: A perfume company bases its advertising campaigns on the demographics and interests of its consumers. Aroon has been tasked with examining and describing the methods used in this campaign. What aspect of rhetorical analysis should he address in his essay?
- Purpose (Incorrect. The perfume company’s purpose is self-evident; it wishes to increase sales or to break into a new market.)
- Style or tone (Incorrect. Aroon doesn’t know anything about this aspect of the company’s appeal to its potential consumers, so it would not be a place to focus his analysis.)
- Supporting appeals or claims (Incorrect. Aroon doesn't know anything about this aspect of the company’s pitch to its potential consumers, so it would not be a place to focus his analysis.)
- Audience (Correct. The perfume company has done research to understand its audience and to employ the advertising techniques that are most likely to be successful in generating sales within that particular market.)
A: Audience

Q: A newspaper article tries to establish credibility by using academic language and a scholarly approach. What aspect of rhetorical analysis should Hadley address in his essay?
- supporting appeals or claims (Incorrect. Hadley doesn't know anything about this aspect of the company’s pitch to its potential consumers, so it would not be a place to focus his analysis.)
- audience (Incorrect. Hadley doesn't know anything about this aspect of the company’s pitch to its potential consumers, so it would not be a place to focus his analysis.)
- purpose (Incorrect. Hadley doesn't know anything about this aspect of the company’s pitch to its potential consumers, so it would not be a place to focus his analysis.)
- style or tone (Correct. Attending to this element in the article shows that Hadley understands that the article’s author has made a choice to employ this particular tone and diction in his rhetorical appeal to a given audience.)
A: style or tone

Q: While undertaking a rhetorical analysis of a live speech by a presidential candidate, Christophe is put off by the politician’s attempts to manipulate his audience by stirring anger and resentment, as well as his irrational appeals to a former golden age for which voters should apparently feel a warm nostalgia. Christophe has noticed an overreliance on what rhetorical mode?
- ethos (Incorrect. This term refers to a speaker or writer’s effort to project credibility and authority by showing that he is honest and trustworthy.)
- logos (Incorrect. This term refers to a speaker or writer’s effort to project knowledgeability by employing a well-constructed argument that appears to be based on research and facts.)
- kairos (Incorrect. This term refers to a speaker or writer’s effort to offer a given argument at the appropriate time, having accurately understood the cultural or historical moment in which her audience is listening or reading.)
- pathos (Correct. This term refers to a speaker or writer’s effort to manipulate strong emotions so as to persuade an audience. This is often considered unethical.)
A: pathos

Q: Which of the following best describes the purpose of process analysis?
- An analysis paper that correctly utilizes all of the steps of the writing process. (Incorrect. This is not the definition of our term, though an effective paper is typically written in multiple drafts and contains distinct sections with commonly understood functions.)
- A written analysis that discusses how the communication methods of a given piece of work affect and influence the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the reader. (Incorrect. This definition best describes a rhetorical analysis.)
- A rhetorical style that combines two or more ideas to produce something new. (Incorrect. This definition best describes a synthesis, which effectively identifies and combines existing elements to create something new.)
- A rhetorical style that provides step-by-step explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance. (Correct. A process analysis is instructive, and breaks down a sequence of steps to show how they are related to each other and to the whole.)
A: A rhetorical style that provides step-by-step explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance.

Q: In his Intro to Auto Mechanics course, part of Eduardo’s midterm exam asks him to write a detailed step-by-step guide explaining how to change the oil in a gasoline powered SUV. The instructions call for him to imagine that his reader has never performed this task before and will be unfamiliar with any specialized terms or tools. What kind of analysis will Eduardo have to perform in order to effectively answer this question and credibly demonstrate his knowledge?
- Rhetorical analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that examines the techniques and ingredients that another writer might select to most effectively make his argument to a given audience.)
- Critical analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that focuses on a particular artifact or object.)
- Literary analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that focuses on a literary text such as a poem or novel, often so as to situate the work in its historical or cultural contexts.)
- Process analysis (Correct. This is the term for a paper that provides step-by-step explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance.)
A: Process analysis

Q: For her birthday, Francesca has received a programmable espresso machine that comes with a thorough user’s manual. On the first page is a list of “best practices” that outlines a specific set of preferred techniques for consistently producing the best espresso drinks. What category of process analysis does her manual fall into?
- Descriptive (Incorrect. A descriptive process analysis would neutrally list the steps in a given process, and would not express a preference for any particular way of executing the task.)
- Synthetic (Incorrect. This term refers to a type of writing that combines existing elements to create something new.)
- Tonal (Incorrect. While some tones or speaking voices are more or less appropriate to a given rhetorical occasion, including an owner’s manual for a home appliance, this is not a category of process analysis.)
- Prescriptive (Correct. A prescriptive process analysis would advocate a particular way of doing something, as opposed to neutrally describing a process without making any recommendations.)
A: Prescriptive

Q: In his Intro to Marketing class, Vincenzo has been asked to analyze a cigarette ad from the 1950s that ran in print media throughout the United States. A primary goal of his task is to identify the interrelated parts of the ad and explain why they have meaning relative to each other and to the whole. Which type of analysis is he undertaking as he focuses on this specific artifact?
- Process analysis (Incorrect. Process analysis is a rhetorical style that provides step-by-step explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance.)
- Rhetorical analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that examines the techniques and ingredients that another writer might select to most effectively make his argument to a given audience.)
- Literary analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that focuses specifically on literary texts such as poems or novels, often so as to situate the work in its broader historical or cultural contexts.)
- Critical analysis (Correct. A critical analysis examines the different elements of a given artifact so as to explain how they generate meanings as part of a symbolic system.)
A: Critical analysis

Q: While browsing at a neighbor’s yard sale, Pilar finds a crate full of old 33 RPM vinyl records by a variety of musical groups that were well known in the 1960s and 70s. Even though she has no first-hand knowledge of the popular culture of that era, and has not read any histories of that period, she is able to infer a number of differences between the musical culture of that time as compared to her own based on the imagery featured on the record covers. Without knowing it, Pilar has begun a process of amateur cultural archaeology by examining the visual features of these artifacts and considering their meanings. What term best describes the type of analysis that she has undertaken?
- Process analysis (Incorrect. Process analysis is a rhetorical style that provides step-by-step explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance.)
- Rhetorical analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that examines the techniques and ingredients that another writer might select to most effectively make his argument to a given audience.)
- Literary analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that focuses specifically on literary texts such as poems or novels, often so as to situate the work in its broader historical or cultural contexts.)
- Critical analysis (Correct. A critical analysis examines the different elements of a given artifact so as to explain how they generate meanings as part of a symbolic system.)
A: Critical analysis

Q: While on an extended bicycle tour across India, Marla is intrigued by the garishly colored, elaborate decorations and advertising images that adorn the sides of buses and trains throughout the country. Because she does not speak the local language or know much about the consumer habits of the local residents, she can only examine the visual details on these surfaces and make a tentative guess as to how those elements might be meaningfully related. Her attempt to break down and categorize these details in a comprehensible way can be described as what kind of analysis?
- Process analysis (Incorrect. Process analysis is a rhetorical style that provides step-by-step explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance.)
- Rhetorical analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that examines the techniques and ingredients that another writer might select to most effectively make his argument to a given audience.)
- Literary analysis (Incorrect. This is the term for a paper that focuses specifically on literary texts such as poems or novels, often so as to situate the work in its broader historical or cultural contexts.)
- Critical analysis (Correct. A critical analysis examines the different elements of a given artifact so as to explain how they generate meanings as part of a symbolic system.)
A: Critical analysis

Q: Which of the following writing methods best describes synthesis?
- A rhetorical style that provides explanatory directions with the goal of giving the reader guidance (Incorrect. This is the definition of a process analysis, which breaks down and explains the steps in a given sequence.)
- A written analysis that discusses how the communication methods of a given piece of work affect and influence the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the reader. (Incorrect. This is the definition of a rhetorical analysis, which breaks down how another writer or speaker has selected certain ingredients and techniques to substantiate her arguments.)
- A written analysis that examines how the visual details in an advertisement work with a company’s slogan to produce a certain meaning. (Incorrect. This is the definition of a critical analysis, which closely examines a particular artifact so as to better understand how it creates meaning.)
- A rhetorical style that combines two or more ideas to produce a new idea. (Correct. Unlike analysis, which asks you to break something down and identify the relationships among parts and to the whole, synthesis requires you to combine elements together to make something new.)
A: A rhetorical style that combines two or more ideas to produce a new idea.

Q: Mika needs to synthesize several research sources for a paper in her economics class. What might the synthesis portion of her essay look like?
- A comparison of the different results that were obtained in each of the research articles. (Incorrect. A comparative summary would have a place in a synthesis paper, and would be used to set up and substantiate the new combination that the writer is proposing, but it is not the same thing as a synthesis.)
- A process analysis of the several methods that were used in each of the research articles. (Incorrect. A process analysis could be used to set up a new idea arrived at through synthesis, but these two operations are not the same thing.)
- A restatement of the main ideas contained in the different sources. (Incorrect. This is the definition of a summary, which has a necessary place in most academic papers but is not the same thing as a synthesis.)
- An examination of the various ideas contained in the sources that lead Mika to the formation of a new idea. (Correct. As distinct from analysis, which asks you to break something down and identify the relationships among parts and to the whole, synthesis requires you to combine elements together to make something new.)
A: An examination of the various ideas contained in the sources that lead Mika to the formation of a new idea.

Q: For his European History class, Dmitri is drafting a paper that analyzes the architecture of German cities during both the medieval period and in the present. While noting that some aesthetic features from 15th-century buildings are being ironically quoted on the facades of contemporary buildings, Dmitri adds a section to his paper that combines the names of these older features with those of newer features by hyphenating the terms to create a new term. This section of his paper is demonstrating what scholarly capability?
- Process (Incorrect. While a process analysis could be used to set up a new idea arrived at through synthesis, these two operations are not the same thing.)
- Summary (Incorrect. While a summary has a necessary place in most academic papers, it is not the same thing as a synthesis.)
- Comparison (Incorrect. While a comparative analysis would likely precede a synthesis, these two operations are not the same thing.)
- Synthesis (Correct. Our example illustrates that combining existing elements to create a new element is the definition of synthesis.)
A: Synthesis

Q: For her Intro to Design course, Deirdre is drafting a paper that analyzes the architecture of French cities during both the 1950s and in the present. While noting that some aesthetic features from post-World War Two buildings are being ironically quoted on the facades of contemporary buildings, Deirdre adds a section to her paper that combines the names of these older features with those of newer features by hyphenating the terms to create a new term. This section of her paper is demonstrating what scholarly capability?
- Process
- Summary
- Comparison
- Synthesis
A: Synthesis

Q: Amy is working on synthesizing perspectives from the different sources she’s collected for her paper on the current political system in America. A peer reviewed article produced by the Political Science department at her university extensively discusses multiple studies that show how the current two-party political system is less effective than the multiple-party parliamentary systems of other countries at helping citizens to feel content and engaged with the political process. However, a second article from the local newspaper of the town where the college is located discusses the same issue, specifically refuting the results obtained from the university study by name. Which aspect of synthesis might Amy use when addressing these two sources?
- The existence of information gaps. (Incorrect. Though this is not what Amy is doing in our example above, it is important to identify information gaps so you will know where to conduct additional research.)
- How the sources speak specifically to her argument and thesis. (Incorrect. Though this is not what Amy is doing in our example above, it is important to explain how each source supports your central claim or suggests possible answers to your main research question.)
- The points of complete and total agreement or disagreement between sources. (Incorrect. It is unlikely that we will discover instances of complete agreement or disagreement between sources, but will rather find that they agree or differ based on grayer areas such as value systems or preferred methodologies.)
- How the sources speak to each other. (Correct. It is important in scholarly work to attend to the interrelationships among sources, as this demonstrates your own understanding and adds complexity to your discussion.)
A: How the sources speak to each other.

Q: Evan is working on synthesizing different sources and information he’s collected for his paper on gun control. He finds three peer reviewed research articles that discuss the rates of gun violence in countries where the private ownership of guns is banned. The conclusions of all three articles support his argument that all countries should ban the private ownership of guns. Which aspect of synthesis might Evan use when addressing these three sources?
- How the sources speak to each other. (Incorrect. While this is not what Evan is doing in our example above, it is important in scholarly work to attend to the interrelationships among sources, as this demonstrates your own understanding and adds complexity to your discussion.)
- The existence of information gaps. (Incorrect. Though this is not what Evan is doing in our example above, it is important to identify information gaps so you will know where to conduct additional research.)
- The points of complete agreement and disagreement between the sources. (Incorrect. It is unlikely that we will discover instances of complete agreement or disagreement between sources, but will rather find that they agree or differ based on grayer areas such as value systems or preferred methodologies.)
- How the sources speak specifically to his argument and thesis. (Correct. It is always important to explain how each source supports your central claim or suggests possible answers to your main research question.)
A: How the sources speak specifically to his argument and thesis.

Q: In her Intro to Gender Studies course, Madeline is trying to synthesize several different sources that address levels of self-esteem in gender-questioning preadolescents who attend schools with gender neutral signage as compared to levels of self esteem among the same cohort attending schools with binary gender signage. While scrutinizing her sources, Madeline realizes that the three studies under consideration were all conducted in very similar politically liberal cultural environments. She deduces from this shortcoming that the research lacks the valid explanatory capacity that she first thought it had. What aspect of synthesis is she now compelled to address?
- How the sources speak specifically to her argument and thesis. (Incorrect. While this is not what Madeline is concerned with in our example, it is always important to explain how each source supports your central claim or suggests possible answers to your main research question.)
- How the sources speak to each other. (Incorrect. Though this is not what Madeline is concerned with in our example, it is important in scholarly work to attend to the interrelationships among sources, as this demonstrates your own understanding and adds complexity to your discussion.)
- The points of complete agreement and disagreement between the sources. (Incorrect. It is unlikely that we will discover instances of complete agreement or disagreement between sources, but will rather find that they agree or differ based on grayer areas such as value systems or preferred methodologies.)
- The existence of information gaps. (Correct. It is important to recognize information gaps so that we will know where to conduct additional research and so that our readers will not think we are making claims that are insufficiently supported by our cited evidence.)
A: The existence of information gaps.