90s Trivia
Vocabulary
Author's Argument
Logical Fallacy
Reasoning and Rhetoric
100
Before Alexa and Siri, Microsoft computers featured a talking paper fastener, who served as a virtual assistant in Microsoft Office programs from 1997 until the mid-2000s. What was its name?
Clippy
100
Define anecdote.
a short, interesting story about a real incident or person.
100
Rhetorical questions, logical fallacies, and logical reasoning are all useful is what kind of text?
Argumentative.
100
This type of logical fallacy claims “if this, then that”. "This" is a small error or issue will lead to "that", an often unlikely or extreme outcome.
Slippery Slope Fallacy
100
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are types of...
Rhetorical Appeals.
200
What year did the World Wide Web (aka, the internet) go live?
1991
(coincidentally, Mrs. O'Brien was born that year too)
200
Define theme.
Theme is the subject, topic, or message within a piece of writing or media.
200
What is the term for "the lens through which readers observe characters, events, and happenings"? It starts with a P.
Perspective.
Similar to, but not the same as, P.O.V.
200
This type of fallacy uses an argument’s conclusion as a premise for proving the argument.
"By not turning in your work, you have a bad grade, and you use your bad grade as a reason to not turn in new work, because you’re upset about your grades."
Circular Reasoning Fallacy
200
A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer is called...
Rhetorical Question
300
This boy band formed in the 90s and features members Nick, AJ, Brian, Howie, and Kevin. They were also called "the bad boys of pop".
The Backstreet Boys
300
What is the difference between connotation and denotation?
Denotation: the literal, dictionary definition of a word.
Connotation: the feeling associated with a word - can be positive, negative, scared, shy, etc.
300
What is an author's purpose?
The author's reason for writing a text. The message they want to get across to the reader.
300
This type of fallacy is an attack on or criticism of someone’s character rather than the logic or content of the argument.
"Mittens makes a good point, but any cat that hangs out with dogs can't be trusted."
Ad Hominem. (points x2)
Personal Attack or Name Calling (points x 1)
300
Define deductive reasoning.
Deductive reasoning is taking broad information and coming to more specific conclusions. "If this is true and this is true, then that must also be true."
400
What was the name of the small, bead filled animals collected in the 90s? It was believed that they would eventually be worth a lot of money, but this never really happened.
TY Beanie Babies.
400
What does it mean if a question asks "is the argument effective"?
Does the author achieve a clear or desired effect? Or does their point get lost?
400
How does an author "establish" their purpose and tone?
Diction and text structure help convey information and opinions.
400
This type of fallacy oversimplifies an argument to make it easier to attack. It takes a small, tiny part of the argument and makes it the main argument.
"No one is trying to make the minions into vegetarians. The chef minions are simply saying they already made spinach puffs."
Strawman Fallacy
400
Define inductive reasoning.
Inductive reasoning is taking specific known information and applying it in a more broad or general way.
"This happened in the past. I've seen it. I assume it will be this way in the future." or "The future mimics the past."
500
What is this and what does it do?
A pager. It allowed you to ping someone with your phone number, so they knew you needed them to call you. They would find the nearest phone to call you back.
Later models could send short text messages one way.
500
Define diction and syntax.
Diction is word choice - words chosen to get the tone or meaning across.
Syntax is sentence structure - it uses punctuation and styles like parallel structure to emphasize the meaning or topic of a text.
500
How does an author "develop" their argument?
By providing evidence and using logical reasoning.
500
This type of fallacy is used to distract from an argument by avoiding key issues or ignoring opposing views. Irrelevant information is presented alongside relevant information, distracting attention from that relevant information.
"People say the school lunch is unhealthy, but the school banned chips and candy this year."
Red Herring Fallacy
500
Define abductive reasoning.
Abductive reasoning is drawing the most likely conclusion from all the information you know. Used by doctors and detectives.
"My friend was not feeling well yesterday and is not here today. Therefore, my friend must have stayed home sick."