Reading Quiz 1

What is ethics? Why is a strong sense of ethical responsibility vital for public speakers?

Ethics = branch of philosophy dealing with right/wrong in human affairs Public speakers should be honest and ethical; speech has power, don't abuse it. It can lead to very bad things (think Hitler). Your speech WILL have consequences, so it is best to be ethical!

What is the difference between hearing and listening?

Hearing = physiological process Listening = paying close attention to and making sense of what we hear

Why is it important to develop strong listening skills?

Helps speechmaking, notetaking/learning, communicating at work, responding to commercials/politics/persuasive appeals, critical thinking

Why is it normal—even desirable—to be nervous at the start of a speech?

- 40% of Americans greatest fear = public speaking - even experienced and great speakers are nervous before speeches - nervousness is normal; body is responding to stress by producing extra adrenaline - can transform it into positive nervousness that vitalizes you for your speech

How can you control your nervousness and make it work for you in your speeches?

- acquire speaking experience - be thoroughly prepared - think positively - know that most nervousness is not visible - visualize yourself succeeding - don't expect perfection (audience likely won't know when you mess up/ stray from your original plan) Dealing with nervousness: - rest well - reduce tension by tightening and relaxing leg muscles or hands - take deep breaths before speaking - work hardest on intro, anxiety drops after first 30 - 60s - make eye contact - concentrate on communicating with audience, not your nervousness - use visual aids

What factors should you consider when planning to use PowerPoint in a speech?

- decide where you can use it to the greatest advantage, and where it will enhance your message (don't just use it for the whole speech) - be creative and resourceful - don't let it overshadow your speech

In what ways is public speaking likely to make a difference in your life?

- good communication skills important for all jobs - employers seek out public speaking/communication skills - businesses often have employees give speeches/presentations - good for civic engagement--speaking up about social issues - form of empowerment - better persuasion skills

What kinds of visual aids might you use in a speech?

- objects/models - photos - graphs (line, pie, bar) - video (short) - yourself - ppt

How is public speaking similar to everyday conversation?

- thoughts organized logically - message is tailored to audience - story told for maximum impact - adapting to listener feedback

What are four tips for your conclusion?

1) Keep an eye out for possible concluding materials as you research and develop the speech. 2) Conclude with a bang, not a whimper. Be creative 3) Don't be long winded. 4) Don't leave anything in your conclusion to chance. Work it out in detail

What are six tips for your introduction?

1) Keep the introduction relatively brief. 2) Be on the lookout for possible introductory materials as you do your research. 3) Be creative in devising your introduction. 4) Don't worry about the exact wording of your introduction until you have finished preparing the body of the speech. 5) Work out your introduction in detail. 6) When you present the speech, don't start talking so soon. Make sure you have audience's attention

What are the four methods of speech delivery?

1) Reading from a manuscript 2) Reciting from memory 3) Speaking impromptu 4) Speaking Extemporaneously

What are the three guidelines for ethical listening discussed in this chapter?

1. Be courteous and attentive 2. Avoid prejudging the speaker 3. Maintain the free and open expression of ideas

What two major steps are discussed in this chapter for developing your introductory speech?

1. Focusing your topic > make sure it conforms to time limit, but don't focus TOO much 2. Developing your topic > be creative, structure it interestingly, try using suspense/mystery, a story, imagery, humor

What steps should you take when preparing for a question-and-answer session? What should you concentrate on when responding to questions during the session?

1. Formulate answers to possible questions 2. Practice the delivery of your answers When responding: 1. Approach questions with a positive attitude 2. Listen carefully 3. Direct answers to the entire audience. Repeating/paraphrasing question can be helpful. 4. Be honest and straightforward. Say so if you don't know the answer. 5. Stay on track

What are the four objectives of a speech introduction?

1. Get attention/interest 2. Reveal topic 3. Establish credibility and goodwill 4. Preview speech body

What are the five steps you should follow when practicing your speech delivery?

1. Go through your preparation outline aloud to check how it translates into spoken discourse 2. Prepare your speaking outline, make sure it is easy to read 3. Practice speech aloud several times with only the speaking outline. Use visual aids if you have any 4. Polish and refine your delivery. Practice in front of a mirror 5. Give your speech a dress rehearsal under conditions as close as possible to those you'll face in class

What are the five guidelines for ethical speechmaking discussed in this chapter?

1. Make sure your goals are ethically sound 2. Be fully prepared for each speech > don't waste people's time! your speech can have genuine impacts on people's lives 3. Be honest 4. Avoid name-calling/abusive language > name-calling degrades/demeans individuals/groups and can silence opposing voices even if its protected under free speech. overall it makes you less respectable 5. Put these ethical principles into practice > at ALL times, not just when you're giving a speech

What are the four main causes of poor listening?

1. Not concentrating 2. Listening too hard > remembering too many menial details can make u miss the main point 3. Jumping to conclusions 4. Focusing on delivery and personal appearance

What are four aspects of bodily action you should concentrate on in your speeches?

1. Personal appearance 2. Movement 3. Gestures 4. Eye contact

What are two ways you can signal the end of your speech?

1. Phrases like "in conclusion" "let me end by saying" 2. Manner of delivery > crescendo ending: conclusion where speech builds to zenith of power/intensity > dissolve ending: conclusion generating emotional appeal by fading step by step to a dramatic final statement

What are seven methods you can use in the introduction to get the attention and interest of your audience?

1. Relate topic to audience 2. State importance of topic 3. Startle audience with an interesting/intriguing statement 4. Arouse curiousity 5. Question audience 6. Begin with a quote 7. Tell a story

What are the major functions of a speech conclusion?

1. Signal speech ending 2. Reinforce audience's understanding of central idea

What are the seven elements of the speech communication process? How do they interact to determine the success or failure of a speech?

1. Speaker: person presenting oral msg to listener > should be credible, well-prepared, enthusiastic 2. Message: what the speaker communicates to someone else > how the message is transmitted depends on the speaker--sometimes speaker's intended message isn't what the audience gets. speaker should be clear with words and be consistent with tone, appearance, gestures, facial expression, eye contact 3. Channel: means by which a message is communicated 4: Listener: person receiving communicated message > listeners all have a different frame of reference; one speech can have different impacts on different people. speaker must be able to adapt message to their audience 5. Feedback: messages sent from listener to speaker > speaker must adjust their message based on feedback 6. Interference: anything impeding communication of a message > speaker has to keep attention despite interference 7. Situation: time and place where speech communication occurs > speaker must realize different occasions require different kinds of speech

What five elements of speech delivery are discussed in this chapter with regard to presenting your first speech?

1. Starting: face audience, have good upright posture, make eye contact and smile 2. Gestures: be natural 3. Eye contact 4. Voice: be expressive 5. Dealing with nerves

What are seven ways to become a better listener?

1. Take listening seriously (practice) 2. Be an active listener 3. Resist distractions 4. Try not to be diverted by appearance/delivery 5. Suspend judgment until you have heard the speaker's entire message 6. Focus your listening by paying attention to main points, evidence, and to speakers techniques 7. Develop your note-taking skills

What are the eight aspects of voice usage you should concentrate on in your speeches?

1. Volume 2. Pitch 3. Rate 4. Pauses 5. Vocal variety 6. Pronunciation 7. Articulation 8. Dialect

What guidelines are given in the chapter for presenting visual aids?

1. display them where listeners can see 2. avoid passing it among audience 3. display only when discussing it 4. explain clearly and concisely 5. talk to audience, not your visual aid 6. practice with them 7. check room and equipment

What steps should you take when rehearsing your first speech?

1. don't be discouraged 2. rehearse out loud 3. ask friends/family to give feedback 4. time yourself

What guidelines are given in the chapter for preparing visual aids?

1. prepare visual aids in advance 2. keep them simple 3. make sure they're big enough 4. use limited text 5. use fonts effectively 6. use color effectively 7. use images strategically

What are four ways to reinforce the central idea when concluding your speech?

1. summarize/restate main points 2. end w/ quote 3. make a dramatic statement 4. reference the intro

What is a preview statement? Why should you nearly always include a preview statement in the introduction of your speech?

A statement in the intro that identifies the main points to be discussed. They let the audience know your main points and provide a smooth lead-in to speech body, signalling its beginning.

Why is it important to establish your credibility at the beginning of your speech?

Credibility: audience's perception of whether a speaker is qualified to speak on a given topic. Audience will be more engaged if they know you are an expert in the topic

What is ethnocentrism? Why do public speakers need to avoid ethnocentrism when addressing audiences with diverse cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds?

Ethnocentrism = belief that your culture is superior to all others Being ethnocentric is BAD-- don't want to offend your audience. It can cause prejudice and hostility towards other groups. There can be misunderstandings. You have to be respectful, otherwise it affects how the audience listens/believes/interprets your speech.

What are the elements of good speech delivery?

It conveys the speaker's ideas clearly, interestingly, and without distracting the audience. It involves directness, spontaneity, animation, vocal and facial expressiveness, and a lively sense of communication.

What are the major advantages of using visual aids in your speeches?

It enhances every aspect of a speech. People find your message more interesting, grasp it more easily, and retain it longer when there's visuals. It makes you look more prepared, credible, and professional. They heighten interest and can shift attention from you if you're nervous.

How is listening connected with critical thinking?

Listening can enhance your skills as a critical thinker because you use your mind with your ears. Listening is also training how to think. > comprehensive listening - listening to understand a speaker's message > critical listening - listening to evaluate a message to accept/reject it

What is nonverbal communication? Why is it important to effective public speaking?

Speech delivery is a matter of nonverbal communication, based on how you use your voice & body to convey the message expressed by your words. The impact of your words is powerfully influenced by your nonverbal communication

What method of delivery does this chapter recommend for your introductory speech?

extemporaneous method: a carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from a brief set of notes

What is incremental plagiarism? How can you steer clear of it when dealing with quotations and paraphrases?

failing to give credit for parts of a speech borrowed from other people > avoid by stating sources, being careful with your research notes to distinguish quotes, own ideas. When in doubt, cite your source

What is the difference between global plagiarism and patchwork plagiarism? What are the best ways to avoid these two kinds of plagiarism?

global - stealing an entire speech > avoid by prepping far ahead of time patchwork - stealing from multiple sources > avoid by starting early and use a large number of sources

When organizing your introductory speech, you should divide it into what three sections?

introduction, body, conclusion

How is public speaking different from everyday conversation?

public speaking is: - more structured - time restricted - more formal - has a different method of delivery