View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonaction Information" through Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is true of the sports section?
(a) Its box scores are an example of soft news.
(b) It excludes features.
(c) It contains every type of writing found in a newspaper.
(d) It contains primarily editorial columns.

2. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what is the implicit argument of most nonfiction writing?
(a) That the writer has the authority to write about the subject.
(b) That the reader should change their beliefs or behavior.
(c) That the subject matter is important enough to read about.
(d) That the writer's angle on the subject is the correct one.

3. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what part of a text does Foster say is "under-read"? (39).
(a) The table of contents.
(b) Introductions.
(c) Titles.
(d) The index.

4. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," why is "foreward" spelled with an "e" instead of as we usually see it, "forward"?
(a) Foster is using an unconventional spelling to draw attention to the idea "fore," which means "ahead."
(b) This is a proofreading error in the text.
(c) The spelling "foreward" is a British spelling, like "flavour," and is therefore an accepted alternate spelling.
(d) Without the "e," the word means a direction; with the "e," it means a piece of writing that comes ahead of another.

5. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," what does Foster give as the basic meaning of "preface," "prologue," and "foreward"?
(a) Ahead of.
(b) Leading.
(c) In front.
(d) First word.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," where does Foster say editorial content can usually be found in the newspaper?

2. Based on Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," how would Foster sum up the place of newspapers in today's world?

3. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what purpose do warrants serve?

4. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," what does Foster say is the purpose of the "four Ps?"

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster calls an expression a "bromide." What is he saying about this expression?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 468 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample