Topic 3: Communication Ethics

Question 1

The word ethics is derived from a Greek word ____, meaning character.

Answer 1

ethos

Question 2

Being ethical means____

Answer 2

doing what is right to achieve what is good

Question 3

______ strives for the highest good for all involved and provides information that is fully adequate for the circumstance, truthful in every sense, and not deceptive in any way.

Answer 3

Ethical communication

Question 4

this principle means that audience analysis is an important part of communication. We cannot respond appropriately if we are ignorant of the people with whom we communicate

Answer 4

Ethical communicators are respectful of their audiences

Question 5

ethical principles require

Answer 5

integrity, honesty, responsibility, and respect for others.

Question 6

We do not communicate in vacuums. Our communication endeavors are never isolated one from the other. How we respond at school influences how we respond at home and that in turn affects how we respond in our public lives. Having considered the nature of our audiences, we need to consider further the effect of our communication on them and upon ourselves.

Answer 6

Ethical communicators consider the consequences of their communication

Question 7

A great deal of the ethics of communication involves a respect for truth. Indeed, as one has put it, the assumption of truth undergirds the very concept of communication itself: “an inherent end of speech is the communication of belief.”

Answer 7

Ethical communicators respect truth

Question 8

As an ethical communicator, a respect for truth means being informed on a topic before posing as any kind of authority on the subject. Certain professions such as law, medicine, and education have formal standards of expertise and knowledge that must be met before one can be a practitioner.
The same principle applies in communication situations. If we are going to provide information to people, much less persuade them, we need to be well prepared for the occasion.

Answer 8

Ethical communicators use information properly.
4.1 Adequate Information

Question 9

we also need to consider the accuracy of the information and the accuracy with which we use it. When we communicate, we expect people to react in some way to what we say and do. When we use inaccurate information to influence others, we cause difficulty for them and for ourselves.

Answer 9

Ethical communicators use information properly.
Accurate Information

Question 10

is information that is timely, up to date, and applicable to the situation.

Answer 10

Accurate information

Question 11

Worse than the distortion of information is falsifying information. Failing to find information useful to our goals, we make it up. When writing, we acknowledge sources by the use of quotation marks and include a citation of the source. When speaking, we acknowledge sources by naming them in the context of the speech.

Answer 11

Ethical communicators do not falsify information

Question 12

means respecting the rights of others in regard to information and access to information. Collecting information is an integral part of the research process, but stealing information is theft, taking something that does not belong to us.

Answer 12

Ethical communicators respects the right of others to information

Question 13

is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.

Answer 13

argumentative essay

Question 14

Key features of an Argumentative essay

Answer 14

A clear and arguable position, Necessary Background information, Good reasons, convincing support for each reason, appeals to readers’ values, a trustworthy tone, careful consideration of other positions

Question 15

At the heart of every argument is a claim with
which people may reasonably disagree. To be arguable, a position must reflect
one of at least two points of view, making reasoned argument necessary.

Answer 15

A clear and arguable position

Question 16

Sometimes we need to provide some
background on a topic we are arguing so that readers can understand what is
being argued.

Answer 16

Necessary background information

Question 17

By itself, a position does not make an argument; the argument
comes when a writer offers reasons to back the position up.

Answer 17

Good reasons

Question 18

You need to offer support for your
reasons: facts, statistics, expert testimony, anecdotal evidence, case studies,
textual evidence

Answer 18

Convincing support for each reason

Question 19

Effective arguers try to appeal to readers’ values
and emotions. Examples are the values of equality, freedom and security.

Answer 19

Appeals to readers’ values.

Question 20

Arguments can stand or fall on the way readers perceive
the writer. Very simply, readers need to trust the person who’s making argument.
One way of winning this trust is by demonstrating that you know what you’re
talking about.

Answer 20

A trustworthy tone

Question 21

No matter how reasonable and
careful we are in arguing our positions, others may disagree or offer
counterarguments or hold other positions. We need to consider those other views
and to acknowledge and, if possible, refute them in our written arguments.

Answer 21

Careful consideration of other positions

Question 22

Ways of organizing an argument

Answer 22

1. Introduce the issue and provide any necessary background information.
2. State your thesis.
3. Give the first reason, with support.
4. Give the second reason, with support.
5. Continue as needed (re: on the reasons).
6. Acknowledge and/or refute other arguments.
7. End with a call to action, a restatement of your thesis, or a statement of implications.