SCOM Test 1

Description of the components of doing an audience analysis and how they may influence your speech choices

These determine interest level. The appropriateness of your remarks and their effectiveness with a specific audience depend in large part on connecting with your listeners. Attitude - learned predisposition to respond favorably or unfavorably toward some attitude object Belief - what a person thinks is true or probable Value - the most deeply felt, generally shared view of what is deemed good, right, or worthwhile thinking or behavior. Age - it is necessary to be aware of the generation gap. Assumptions about age-based cultural divides should be embraced cautiously. Develop your speech so it relates to the experience of your listeners. Gender - be sensitive to the shades of differences between genders without using stereotypes. Ethnicity/Culture - avoid ethnocentrism; policies and issues can be questioned and debated without resorting to insults and sweeping generalizations Group Affiliation - they suggest possible aspects to consider regarding your audience, but do not depend solely on this. Be sensitive to these elements of audience composition.

Main reasons for using visual aids

They clarify difficult points, gain and maintain audience attention, enhance speaker credibility, improve your delivery, and make your speech memorable.

Characteristics of an appropriate or effective source citation in the speech

A. Who is person or organization being quoted or paraphrased or given as the source of a statistic or example? B. What are their credentials? C. From what specific publication or source is the information taken? D. What date was the information generated, published, or last updated?

Four main reasons for using supporting material in speeches

To clarify points - providing clear examples lessens opportunities for misunderstanding by listeners To support claims - without evidence, the validity of your claims is possible, but not necessarily plausible, and hardly highly probable. To gain interest - choose material with an eye cast specifically toward riveting your audience's attention. To create impact - you can well establish the significance of your point of view and why someone else should care.

Identification and examples of the organizational pattern used in speeches

Topical - shapes information according to types, classifications, or parts of a whole. Ex. the first type is, the second type is, the third type is, etc. Chronological - a specific sequence of events. Ex. One, two three, four, etc. Spatial - a visualization of where things are. Ex. front to back, left to right, top to bottom, etc. Causal - cause and effect. Ex. this happened because of this. Problem/Solution - explores problem, then solution. Ex is obvious. Problem/Cause/Solution - expands on problem/solution by exploring causes of the problem. Ex is obvious. Monroe's Motivated Sequence - organizational pattern with five steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action.

Definition of plagiarism and ways to avoid it

Plagiarism is speaking someone else's words without giving attribution. Avoid it by always citing any possible sources. Never cut corners.

List of characteristics of an ethical communicator

Responsibility Honesty Fairness Choice Respect

Captive audience

Assembles to hear you speak because they're compelled to, not because they expect entertainment or intellectual stimulation (formal ceremonies, luncheons).Gaining and maintaining the interest of a captive audience is the most important thing.

Common delivery problems and ways to fix them

Weak eye contact - be familiar with your speech and practice looking at your entire audience Monotone voice - strive for vocal variety, vary the loudness or softness of your voice, experiment with different inflections, volume, and pitch Vocal fillers - (the insertion of um, ah, like, you know) practice not using vocal fillers during casual conversation with friends and family, focus on noticing how often other people use them, have a friend tap a pencil on the table every time you use one Rapid pace - you can get a rough idea of the appropriate pace by enunciating your words carefully and pausing to take breaths without gasping for air Awkward body movements - strive for a balance between excessive and insufficient body movement, let gestures emerge naturally Distracting behaviors - don't hold pens, take change out of your pocket; eliminate distracting behaviors

Concerned audience

Gathers voluntarily to hear a speaker because listeners care about issues and ideas; a very motivated audience. Be informative by presenting new ideas and new information to turn this concerned listeners into committed listeners.

Committed audience

Voluntarily assembles because members want to invest time and energy listening to and being inspired by a speaker (church sermon, social protest rallies). Inspiring action, persuading, and empowering listeners to act decisively are primary considerations.

Message

stimulus that produces meaning

Definition of communication climate and the differences between a constructive vs. a destructive climate

A communication climate is the emotional atmosphere created by the way you communicate with others. A constructive climate focuses on openness ( a willingness to communicate) and supportiveness (a confirmation of the worth and value of others and a willingness to help others succeed.) A destructive climate focuses on closedness ( an unwillingness to communicate with others) and defensiveness (a protective reaction to a perceived attack on our self-esteem and self-concept.)

Discuss the role that audience analysis plays in developing speeches

Audience analysis is the core of any public speech. You need to focus on the speaker, subject, and person addressed. Construct your speech with the audience in mind.

Characteristics of a competent oral style of communication:

Clarity - say what you mean in a simple, concise style Precision - pick the apt words Vividness - paint a picture using metaphors, similes, alliteration, parallelism, and antithesis

Casual audience

Composed of individuals who become listeners because they hear a speaker, stop out of curiosity, and remain until bored or sated (street performers). Connect with listeners immediately and create curiosity and interest.

Credibility and how the primary dimensions of credibility that influence an audience's perception of the speaker.

Credibility is a judgement made by a perceiver concerning the believability of a communicator. Competence - the audience's perception of the speaker's knowledge and experience on a topic. Trustworthiness - how truthful or honest we perceive the speaker to be Dynamism - a third dimension of credibility that refers to the enthusiasm, energy, and forcefulness exhibited by a speaker. Composure - audiences tend to be influenced by speakers who are emotionally stable, appear confident and in control of themselves, and remain calm even when problems arise during a speech.

Description of criteria used to evaluate the credibility of supporting material and types of fallacies:

Credibility of evidence is used to support claims is determined by its reliability and validity. Reliability means consistency and validity means accuracy. Types of fallacies: Questionable statistic - ask yourself whether the statistic seems sensible and accurate Biased source - special-interest groups or individuals who stand to make money, prestige, power, or influence if they advocate a certain position on an issues are biased sources of information Incomplete source citation - name, specifical title, and specific publication. Transparency increases your credibility. Expert quoted out of field - quoting experts outside their field of expertise runs the substantial risk of promoting inaccurate claims supported by invalid and unreliable evidence. Ad Hominem - personal attack on the messenger to avoid the message Ad Populum Fallacy - basing a claim on popular opinion Self-selected Sample - attracts the most committed, aroused, or motivated individuals to fill out surveys on their own and answer polling questions. Inadequate Sample - Leads to a hasty generalization - a conclusion based on too few or unrepresentative samples. Correlation as Causation - correlations suggest possible causation, but correlations alone are an insufficient reason to claim probable causation False analogy - analogies are false when significant points of difference exist despite some superficial similarities between the two things being compared

Definition and examples of the three Aristotelian modes of proof

Ethos - good sense, good moral character, and good will Pathos - emotional appeals such as sadness, pride, honor, hope, joy, guilt, etc that ignite emotional reactions and change behavior. Logos - appeal to the audience's reasoning based on proposition of fact, proposition of value, and a proposition of policy

How relevance and sufficiency relate to the selection of supporting materials

Evidence used to support claims must have relevance; it must relate directly to those claims or the claims are unwarranted. The person who makes a claim has the responsibility of proving the claim. Sufficient evidence must be used to support a claim you make; sufficiency is a judgement.

Definition and examples of the three main types of supporting material used in speeches

Examples - you can use hypothetical examples (imaginary situations that make a point), real examples (actual occurrences) brief examples (clear and no explanation is needed), or extended examples (a detailed story). Statistics - measures of what is true or factual expressed in numbers. Well chosen statistics can support claims, show trends, correct false assumptions, validate hypotheses, and contradict myths. Testimony - personal experience; very useful supporting material. Must be careful when using testimony to avoid bias.

Sender

Initiator and coder

Definitions and discussion of the three elements to consider in choosing an appropriate speech topic

Look at your personal experiences, brainstorm new possibilities, and scan books to help generate ideas for speech topics. Speaker - choose a topic that interests you so you can build a quality speech Audience - your audience my find a topic difficult to relate to or appreciate. You can insult individuals from other cultures if you aren't careful. Occasion - topic choice must be appropriate to the occasion or it won't fulfill audience expectations

Definition of speech anxiety and description of its causes

Speech anxiety is the fear of public speaking and the nervousness that accompanies this fear. Catastrophic thinking - fear of failure Perfectionist Thinking - no mistakes allowed Desire for Complete Approval - trying not to offend Novelty of the Speaking Situation - uncertainty Conspicuousness - in the spotlight Types of speeches - varying responses

Receiver

decoder of message

Encoding

puts ideas into a spoken language

Decoding

translate the spoken ideas

How the transactional model differs from the linear and interactive models of communication:

-It recognizes that each of us is a sender-receiver, not merely a sender or a receiver. -It recognizes that communication affects all parties involved. -It focuses on a content/relationship dimension. The content dimension refers to what is actually said and done while the relationship dimension refers to how the message defines or redefines the association between individuals.

Contrary audience

Audience that is initially hostile to your position on issues (school board meetings). They are more likely to engage in ambushing. Defuse audience anger, be prepared for personal attacks.

How the oral style of communication differs from written styles

When we speak, we use simpler sentences than when we write. Oral style is highly interactive, written is not. Oral styles is usually less formal than written style.

Definition of communication competence and description of skills needed to be an effective and appropriate communicator

Communication competence is engaging in communication with others that is perceived to be both effective and appropriate in a given context. To be an effective communicator, you need to focus on deficiency vs. proficiency as well as have a we-first attitude vs. a me-first attitude. To be an appropriate communicator, follow both explicit and implicit rules and realize that violations have consequential effects.

Three most common myths about communication

Communication is a Cure-All Communicating is Just Common Sense Communication Quantity Equals Quality

Elements of the definition of communication

Communication is a transactional process of sharing meaning with others. Transaction = an exchange between two or more people Process = a continual flow, ongoing, ever-changing Sharing Meaning = overlapping understanding between individuals

Explain the role of rules in communication contexts

Every communication context is guided by rules. A rule is a followable prescription that indicates what behavior is obligated, preferred, or prohibited in certain contexts. The create expectations regarding appropriate behavior.

Competent ways to use examples and statistics in a speech

Examples: Use relevant examples - stick to the point Choose vivid examples - create strong images Stack examples - when one is not enough Statistics: Use accurate statistics accurately - be careful Make statistics concrete - clarify meaning Make statistical comparisons - gain perspective Stack statistics - create impact

Definition and list of the four requirements of a competent speech introduction

Gain attention - focus your audience with a clever quote, questions, a visual aid, a relevant story, or acknowledging your audience Make a clear purpose statement - provide intent for your speech Establish topic significance - make your audience care Review the main points - preview the coming attractions of your speech

Identification and how a speaker can try to create identification with an audience

Identification is the affiliation and connection between speaker and audience. Likability - can the audience relate to you Stylistic similarity - looking and acting the part Substantive similarity - establishes common ground

Definition and examples of informative speaking

Informative speaking is teaching your audience something new, interesting, and useful. You stay neutral and it's not a call to action. Reports - facts in brief Explanations - deeper understanding Demonstrations - acting out Narratives - storytelling

Differences between informative speaking and persuasive speaking

Informative speeches teach your audience something new, interesting, and useful. Persuasive speeches convince your listeners to change their viewpoint and behavior.

Guidelines for competently using visual aids

Keep aids simple Make aids visible Make aids neat, attractive, and accurate Don't block the audience's view Keep aids close to you Put the aid out of sight when not in use Practice with aids Don't circulate your aids Don't talk in the dark Anticipate problems

Definition and explanation of differences between the major delivery styles

Manuscript speaking - usually has a distinct sound and rhythm. These may be appropriate for some situations but it takes extensive practice to present a manuscript speech effectively. The speaker usually gets buried in the manuscripts and fails to establish eye contact. It should be left to professional speakers. Memorized speaking - memorizing is only for short speeches, it's too likely that you'll forget portions of your speech. Impromptu speaking - one delivered without preparation; anticipate impromptu speaking, draw on your life experience and knowledge for the substance of your remarks, and formulate a simple outline for an impromptu speech Extemporaneous speaking - delivered from a prepared outline or notes. They sound spontaneous, permit greater eye contact with the audience, and allows the speaker to respond to audience feedback as it occurs. Delivery should match the context for your speech.

Ways to gain and maintain an audience's attention

Novelty: Unusual topics - choose creatively Unusual examples - the antisedative; sprinkle with unusual examples that illustrate important points Unusual stories - nothing like a good tale; invite attention that isn't trivial Unusual phrasing - colorful phrasing or unusual wording can transform ordinary statements Startle: Startling statements, facts, or statistics - meant to alarm, shock, and astonish an audience into listening intently to what you have to say. Do not gain attention by being outrageous, irresponsible, or by exercising poor judgment Vital: Meaningfulness - people are me-oriented. Listeners heed warnings when a social problem affects them personally. Humorous: Don't force humor - we're not all funny Use only relevant humor - tie the humor directly to a main point or principal theme Be sensitive to context - humor can backfire Use self-deprecating humor - humor that makes gentle fun of one's own failings and limitations Intensity: Concentrated stimuli - relating a tragic event, a moving human-interest story, or a specific instance of courage and determination plays on the intense feelings of your audience.

Types of visual aids that can be used and when a specific type might be appropriate

Objects - use when there's no substitute for the real thing. Avoid illegal or inappropriate objects Models - when relevant objects are too large, small, expensive, or fragile, use a model as a substitute (dental hygiene, larger than normal teeth) Graphs - represents statistics in an easily understood format Maps - helps audience members see geographic areas to make important points Tables - an orderly depiction of statistics, words, or symbols in columns or rows Photographs - use to underline the effectiveness Drawings - be careful that your drawing is carefully drawn

The variables that might influence an audience's attitude toward a speech

Personal experience - attitudes that are formed from direct experience usually conform more closely to actual behavior than those formed more indirectly. These strong attitudes are more likely to predict behavior than weakly held, borrowed attitudes. Personal impact - Effort - despite the best intentions, attitudes, and behavior will often be inconsistent because consistency may require too great an effort to perform the behavior.

Definition and description of the purposes of persuasion. How does it differ from coercion?

Persuasion is a communication process of converting, modifying, or maintaining the attitudes and or behaviors of others. The essential difference between coercion and persuasion is the perception of free choice.

Description of six ways to try to manage speech anxiety

Prepare and practice - you're less anxious when you're confident of your skills. Don't delay preparing and practicing your speech until the night before you give it. Procrastination increases anxiety. Gain perspective - there are four phases of speech anxiety: anticipation face, confrontation phase, adaptation phase, and release stage. Knowing that the anxiety will diminish will provide comfort. Communication orientation - focus on making your message clear and interesting to your listeners. Practice your speech conversationally. Coping statements - shift the thought process from negative and irrational to positive and rational self-talk. Relaxation techniques - reduce the physiological symptoms of the fight or flight response. Breathe, relax your muscles, and have a hot bath. Systematic desensitization - technique used to control anxiety, even phobias, triggered by a wide variety of stimuli. Make a list of things that cause you anxiety and go through them.

Definition and examples of propositions of fact, value, and policy

Propositions of fact - alleges a truth ("open carry gun laws would provide significant protection against criminals") Propositions of value - calls for a judgement that assesses the worth or merit of an idea, object, or practice ("abortion is immoral") Proposition of policy - calls for a significant change from how problems are currently handled ("smoking should be banned in all public places")

Definition of and differences between a signpost and transition

Signposts and transitions both have the same purpose - guiding the listener during a speech. Signposts are organizational markers that indicated the structure of a speech and notify listeners that a particular point is about to be addressed. Transitions connect what was said with what will be said. Signposts begin, transitions end.

Definition and list of the three requirements of a competent speech conclusion

Summarize the main points - connect the parts to remind your audience of the most important points in your speech Refer to the introduction - bookend your speech Make a memorable finish - sizzle don't fizzle

Definition of the basic elements of a competent outline

Symbols - Roman numerals -> capital letters -> standard numbers -> lowercase letters. Each is indented to separate the main points visually. Coherence - logical consistency and clarity. Topic -> central idea -> purpose statement -> main idea. Completeness - using full sentences. Incomplete sentences can't get your point fully across. Ex. Laws vs. hazing could be outlawed in all states. Balance - no lopsided time allotment. Each main point deserves substantial plot development. Develop all ideas relatively equally. Division - main points divide into subpoints. If you can't divide a point into at least two subpoints, this should signal that your point probably doesn't need division.

How the interactive model differs from the linear model of communication

The interactive model includes feedback, explaining that communication is a two-way process. Receivers are actively involved in the process; they are not static targets.

Specific Purpose

concise, precise infinitive phrase composed of simple, clear language that encompasses both the general purpose and the central idea and indicates what the speaker hopes to accomplish with the speech (topic -> narrowed topic -> general purpose -> central idea -> specific purpose).

Central idea

identifies the main concept, point, issue, or conclusion that you want the audience to understand, believe, or feel; becomes the one concise thought that audience members are likely to remember.

General Purpose

identifies the overall goal of your speech; it tells the audience why you're giving the speech (to inform, describe, explain, demonstrate, persuade, celebrate, memorialize, entertain, eulogize).

Types of Noise

interference with effective transmission and reception of a message

Channel

medium through which a message travels, such as oral or written