Chapter 6

Sheri has chosen to speak about the Japanese practice of bonsai and the success she has had cultivating a small, potted tree. To prepare for her speech, she wants to determine her audience's ... toward the topic by considering the audience interest in bonsai, knowledge about it, and attitudes toward it.

disposition

Your audience's ______ a topic will typically determine ______ of your speech.

disposition toward ; the success

According to a Brookings Institution report, racial ... may be "the most defining and impactful characteristic of the millennial generation."

diversity

Kenton decided to persuade his classmates to start savings plans for their retirement. What is the most important demographic trait that Kenton should consider when preparing his speech?

age

audience adaptation occurs

during and after a speech

Ruby, the new mother of an adopted Korean infant, decided to explain the process of overseas adoptions to her speech class. Knowing that there were other parents in the class, Ruby was not certain how much the others understood about the process. What is the best type of question Ruby could use to find out whether or not her audience knows the steps in overseas adoption or is unsure about the steps?

fixed alternative question

Your audience's ______ a topic will typically determine ______ of your speech.

knowledge about; the level of detail

When preparing a speech, considering the general age of an audience can help you ...

-consider the type of historical references to use -identify your audience's values -choose the kind of supporting material you need

Simon gave a speech about the benefits of working for the postal service. He mentioned that three of his relatives were mailmen and suggested that the audience members should consider becoming postmen. What mistakes did Simon make?

-He was being exclusive rather than inclusive by using gender-specific labels. -He was not being mindful of current gender attitudes and practices.

Analyzing your audience's disposition toward your speech topic means considering which of the following?

-Their attitude toward the topic -Their interest in the subject -Their knowledge about the issue

A classroom audience usually expects the speaker to do which of the following?

-conform to time parameters -follow standards for taste and decorum -conform to the assignment

During his speech on gay rights, Peter avoided calling on anyone with a question in the audience who was wearing a hijab. Why?

He wrongly assumed that all Muslim women condemn homosexuality.

Why should a speaker avoid stereotyping the audience?

It can lead to false generalizations.

Suppose there are two speakers giving a speech about potty training. One speaker, Molly, has three school-age children and a lot of real-world examples. The other, Lola, has no children but is knowledgeable about all of the top potty training methods. Which speaker is the audience more likely to accept advice from?

Molly

While creating a persuasive argument supporting Planned Parenthood, Kate decided to deal with any audience objections by first discovering their religious affiliations. Why?

She wanted to anticipate emotionally charged and passionate reactions.

Gertrude, a returning student in her sixties, gave a speech to her classmates, who were traditional college freshmen. She focused on the qualities to look for when purchasing a fur coat. Partway through, she realized that most of the audience was not paying attention. What principal demographic trait did she fail to consider fully when preparing her speech?

age

Julie is a new 28-year-old manager at Bowers Envelope Company. Her first job is to give a "safety-first" speech to the press-production crew, most of whom have been with the company for 25 years or more. Other than gender, what is the most crucial demographic characteristic that Julie should consider when preparing her remarks?

age

What should a speaker assess to help determine if listeners have any concerns or objections to the speech topic?

attitude

In general, a good speaker will consider an audience's religious affiliations during speech preparation because

audiences are often religiously diverse

It is important for speakers to keep in mind ______ related to gender and sexual orientation to better reflect the full range of human experience.

fluidity

There is often a direct link between a person's ______ a topic and his or her knowledge about it.

interest in

Speakers who consider different sexual orientations in their audience analysis and speech preparation do so because

it is best to make all listeners feel included

Assessing how audience members will receive the opinions or information you are going to present in your speech is important. What is this type of situational audience analysis measuring?

listener interest

Which generation is the most racially and ethnically diverse in U.S. history?

millennials

In a classroom setting, the audience will ______ a fellow student speaker.

often have some set attitudes toward

When speaking before a classroom audience, effective speakers should

regard the audience as seriously as any other audience.

In addition to factoring in the audience size and physical setting of a speech, a(n) ... audience analysis also considers how the audience feels about the speech topic.

situational

Fellow students should be seen as a(n) ..... (authentic/fake) audience.

authentic

When Tomas gave his speech, the heating system was not working correctly. Knowing that his audience felt hot and cranky, Tomas began his speech by saying, "I know we are all very uncomfortable from the temperature. But I want you all to close your eyes and imagine the heat coming from the sun while you are lying in the sand listening to the waves at one of my favorite vacation spots, Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida!" The class became energized, and Tomas was able to keep his audience's attention. Why?

-he refused to be influenced negatively by the physical setting -he used the physical situation to his advantage

What are the benefits of opening a controversial speech with a noncommittal position?

-it is less likely to alienate members of the audience -it is a good way to ease into the subject

How can speakers ensure they are being audience-centered?

-making ideas clear, interesting and persuasive to audience -considering the audience's backgrounds, interests, knowledge and attitudes -opening the speech with a noncommittal position

What approaches can you use to develop your audience's interest in your speech topic?

-provide provocative supporting materials -display visual aids -present an engaging introduction

What factors in situational audience analysis are related to physical setting?

-temperatures of the room -placement of chairs -lighting of the room

What are questions to keep in mind when developing an audience-centered speech?

-to whom am i speaking? -what is the most effective way to compose my speech to accomplish my aim? -what do I want them to know, believe or do as a result of my speech?