Exam 3: Clear Thinking,critical Thinking,and Clear Writing

For the term,"weight lifting," invent a persuasive definition (either positive or negative).Remember,persuasive definitions can be analytical definitions,definitions by example,or definitions by synonym.

Determine whether the claim in the following is too vague in the context that is stated or implied:Take two of these pills three times daily before meals.

Exercise:Are you familiar with the word,"mettle"? Provide a definition.If the term is unfamiliar,make a guess about its meaning based on its appearance or sound,and create your own definition.Then look the word up,and find out how close you got.(We provide a thumbnail meaning as answer. )

Classify the following definition according to its use:to reduce vagueness,to introduce or explain a new or unusual word,to evoke an attitude about something,or to accomplish some other purpose. "When we talk about formatting we are referring to the ways in which Multiplan [a spreadsheet program] allows us to specify the appearance of our information on the screen and on the printer."-Erwin Schneider,Multiplan User's Guide

Determine whether the claim in the following is too vague in the context that is stated or implied:Overheard at a wine-tasting:"This Chablis is just a bit too ambitious for my taste."

Below are descriptions of three characters from Anthony Trollope's Barchester Towers.Trollope's words produce some vivid images.Write a brief (e.g. ,one-page)essay explaining what images are evoked and analyzing why and how Trollope's words succeed in creating these images.(Alternatively,your instructor may ask you to simply list the charged words in the descriptions. )This is as close to literary analysis as we'll get-we promise.The selections are from the 1963 Signet Classics edition. Mr.Slope is tall and not ill-made....His countenance,however,is not especially prepossessing.His hair is lank and of a dull pale reddish hue.It is always formed into three straight,lumpy masses,each brushed with admirable precision and cemented with much grease....His face is nearly of the same colour as his hair,though perhaps a little redder:it is not unlike beef-beef,however,one would say,of a bad quality....His nose,however,is his redeeming feature:it is pronounced,straight and well-formed;though I myself should have liked it better did it not possess a somewhat spongy,porous appearance,as though it had been cleverly formed out of a red-coloured cork. In person Dr.Proudie is a good-looking man,spruce and dapper and very tidy.He is somewhat below middle height,being about five feet four,but he makes up for the inches which he wants by the dignity with which he carries those which he has.It is no fault of his own if he has not a commanding eye,for he studies hard to assume it.His features are well-formed,though perhaps the sharpness of his nose may give to his face in the eyes of some people an air of insignificance.If so,it is greatly redeemed by his mouth and chin,of which he is justly proud. Exteriorly,Mr.Arabin was not a remarkable person.He was above the middle height,well-made,and very active.His hair,which had been jet black,was now tinged with gray,but his face bore no sign of years.It would perhaps be wrong to say that he was handsome,but his face was nevertheless pleasant to look upon.The cheek-bones were rather too high for beauty,and the formation of the forehead too massive and heavy:but the eyes,nose,and mouth were perfect.There was a continual play of lambent fire about his eyes,which gave promise of either pathos or humor whenever he essayed to speak,and that promise was rarely broken.There was a gentle play about his mouth which declared that his wit never descended to sarcasm.

Which item in the following set of claims has the most negative emotive meaning? Mr.Gardner a.is a social drinker. b.is alcohol-dependent. c.is a heavy imbiber. d.enjoys tippling. e.is a drunk.

Criticize the following claim based on the material from Chapter 3 of the text. "All of you are not thinking."

Determine whether the claim in the following is too vague in the context that is stated or implied:Watch out for the boss;he's grumpy today.

Define "attorney" by synonyms,using one synonym that carries a complimentary meaning and one that carries a derogatory emotive meaning.

Using a name or description of an item that you can't point to,provide a definition by example for "genius." If you have difficulty doing so,try to identify the source of the trouble.

For "educator," provide an analytical definition that is flattering.

Define "thin person" by synonyms,using one synonym that carries a complimentary meaning and one that carries a derogatory emotive meaning.

Determine whether the following claim is best classified as semantically ambiguous (and whether this contains grouping ambiguities),syntactically ambiguous,or free from ambiguity:He dislikes her smoking.

Considering the context in which it was most likely uttered,would you say the following claim is ambiguous,too vague,or neither? According to the USDA guidelines,you should eat "two to three servings of vegetables each day."

Definitions by synonym or definitions by example might serve to reduce the vagueness of an expression.

Arrange the lettered items below in order of increasingly favorable emotive meaning.Instructor and/or students may want to fuss about some of our rankings in these problems.We've said (a)= (b)when (a)and (b)seem equally favorable to us. Kim a.reads all the time. b.is a voracious reader. c.is extremely well-read. d.is a bookworm.

If you want to make a word's meaning more precise,a definition by synonym will work better than an analytical definition.

Using a name or description of an item that you can't point to,provide a definition by example for "unicorn." If you have difficulty doing so,try to identify the source of the trouble.

Classify the following:"The simple tools are the pulley,lever,inclined plane,wheel and axle,screw,and wedge."