BA Critical Thinking and Academic Writing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of reasoning moves from specific observations to a general conclusion?
- Inductive reasoning (Correct answer)
- Deductive reasoning
- Abductive reasoning
- Analogical reasoning
Correct answer: Inductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning builds a general conclusion from a series of specific observations or examples, a foundational skill in liberal arts thinking.
Question 2: What is a 'thesis statement' in academic writing?
- A clear, arguable claim that the paper will support (Correct answer)
- A summary of all sources used
- The final paragraph of an essay
- A list of questions to be explored
Correct answer: A clear, arguable claim that the paper will support
A thesis statement is a concise, debatable claim that tells readers the central argument the essay will develop and defend.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a logical fallacy?
- Ad hominem (attacking the person rather than the argument) (Correct answer)
- Citing peer-reviewed evidence
- Providing counterarguments
- Using specific examples to support a claim
Correct answer: Ad hominem (attacking the person rather than the argument)
An ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the character of the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a 'topic sentence' in a body paragraph?
- To introduce the paragraph's main idea and connect it to the thesis (Correct answer)
- To provide a block quote from a source
- To list all evidence in the paragraph
- To conclude the entire essay
Correct answer: To introduce the paragraph's main idea and connect it to the thesis
A topic sentence introduces the specific claim of a paragraph and links it back to the overall thesis of the essay.
Question 5: In academic writing, what does 'synthesis' mean?
- Combining information from multiple sources to form a new, coherent argument (Correct answer)
- Summarizing a single source in detail
- Listing all sources alphabetically
- Copying a text and reorganizing its order
Correct answer: Combining information from multiple sources to form a new, coherent argument
Synthesis involves drawing together ideas from multiple sources and integrating them into a unified argument or analysis, going beyond simple summary.
Question 6: Which citation style is most commonly required in humanities BA courses at US universities?
- MLA (Modern Language Association) (Correct answer)
- APA (American Psychological Association)
- Chicago (Turabian)
- IEEE
Correct answer: MLA (Modern Language Association)
MLA style is the default citation format for literature, languages, and most humanities courses in US undergraduate programs.
BA Critical Thinking and Academic Writing 1
Which type of reasoning moves from specific observations to a general conclusion?