ACC Speech 1315

What guidelines should be followed for a speech to an audience that knows little or nothing about your topic?

1.) Limit the number of new ideas; 2.) if possible, use visual aids; 3.) Use down-to-earth language; 4.) Repeat key ideas; 5.) Give vivid examples

How can a speaker reduce excessive tension before a speech?

1.) take a few breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly; 2.) Do tension/release exercises; 3.) mingle with listeners and chat with them to release tension from chest and larynx

What is the difference between a comparison and a contrast?

A comparison shows similarities and contrast shows differences

What is a euphemism?

A mild, indirect, or vague word used in place of one that is harsh, blunt, or offensive.

Why is it important for a speaker to use different words with different audiences?

A speaker should attempt to reach every audience on its own terms, using language that is appropriate for each.

Why should a speaker act as though he or she is confident?

Acting confident can lead to actually being confident.

What is meant by audience analysis and adaptation?

Analysis means finding out exactly who the listeners are and what they know. Adaptation means shaping a speech to satisfy the listeners' specific needs and interests.

When introducing a speaker, some introducers use the speaker's first name; others use the last name. What advice does the text give on this issue?

Ask the speaker beforehand what name that he or she prefers you use.

How many times should a speaker practice going through the entire speech?

At least 4 times

The text lists 4 types of distractions-auditory, visual, physical, mental. Can you identify examples of each one?

Auditory: fly buzzing by one's ear, air conditioner that creates a racket, people coughing or whispering; Visual: cryptic comments on the chalkboard, a nearby listener who is intriguing to look at, birds landing on a window sill; Physical: headaches or stuffy noses, seats that are too hard, and rooms that are too hot or cold; Mental: daydreams, worries, preoccupations

What is the central idea of a speech?

Basic message of the speech expressed in one sentence

List 6 criteria for writing a specific purpose statement

Begin statement with infinitive, include reference to audience, limit the statement to one major idea, make statement as precise as possible, make sure you can achieve objective in the time allotted, and don't be too technical.

List five reasons why support materials are important in a speech

Can develop and illustrate ideas, clarify ideas, make a speech more interesting, help listeners remember key ideas, and prove an assertion

Which two organizational patterns would be most appropriate for a speech on the life and achievements of astronaut Sally Ride?

Chronological and topical

Why should a speaker never use the logical fallacy "attack on a person"?

Decreases credibility

What is the difference between deduction and induction?

Deduction moves from general to specific, and induction moves specific to general

Inspirational speech

Designed to stir positive emotions-to cause people to feel excited, uplifted, encouraged.

What is the "red herring" fallacy?

Diverts listeners from the real issue to an unrelated matter

List at least 2 ways in which you can prepare yourself physically and intellectually to listen to a speech.

Do research or background reading beforehand, get plenty of sleep the night before the speech, and exercise (such as taking a walk) right before going into the room.

Why is it a good idea in many cases to tell the audience why you are competent to speak on that particular subject?

Enhances credibility

Why should a speech be learned and practiced point-by-point and not word-for-word?

Extemporaneous speakers should learn and practice only their ideas, so that the words used to express those ideas will sound fresh and conversational

4 main reasons for speaker's nervousness

Fear of being stared at, fear of failure, fear of rejection, and fear of unknown

When you evaluate a speech, how should you handle both the positive and the negative aspects that you observe?

Give positive comments first so that speaker is not deflated. When you give negative comments, couple them with positive alternatives.

What is the main advantage of using a testimony in a speech?

Gives you instant credibility; quoting an expert is a way of saying, "I'm not the only one with this idea on the subject; it has backing of leading authority"

When you are a listener, how can you encourage a speaker?

Giving full attention, taking notes, leaning slightly forward instead of slouching back in the seat, looking directly at the speaker and not at the floor, letting one's face show interest and animation, and nodding in agreement or smiling approval (when appropriate)

What form of visual aids can cause you to lose eye contact with your audience?

Handouts

What is the difference between hearing and listening?

Hearing occurs when the ears pick up sound waves being transmitted by the speaker, whereas listening involves making sense of what is transmitted

What term is used to refer to a story about an imaginary situation?

Hypothetical narrative

Why should emotional appeals always be accompanied by rational appeals?

If you appeal only to emotions, you give the audience only one underpinning for a belief. People like to think of themselves as rational. They need to have reasons for the feelings and passions they embrace in their heart.

If you are asked to introduce a speaker, why should you coordinate your remarks beforehand with those of the speaker?

If you do not coordinate your remarks, you may say something that spoils or contradicts what the speaker is planning to say, or you may unwittingly steal the speaker's material

What are the disadvantages of impromptu, manuscript, and memorized speeches?

Impromptu speeches are unplanned, so the speaker often gives a rambling, poorly organized, poorly delivered speech. Manuscript speeches are often dull because speakers read them in monotone and fail to make good eye contact with the audience. Memorized speeches sometimes sound mechanical, as if the speaker is speaking from memory and not from the heart; furthermore, the speaker runs the risk of forgetting his or her lines.

What is the main difference between an inspirational speech and a persuasive speech?

In the inspirational speech, you devote yourself almost solely to stirring the emotions, while in the persuasive speech, you use emotional appeals as just one of many techniques.

Why are informal ideas usually superior to dictionary definitions in a speech?

Informal definitions can be easily understood by an audience, while dictionary definitions can be tedious and hard to grasp

What are 3 elements of audience psychology that should be analyzed?

Interest level, attitudes, and needs or desires

Do international audiences usually prefer a presentation that is humorous and informal, or one that is serious and formal?

International audiences usually prefer a serious, formal tone. An informal approach is often viewed as frivolous and disrespectful.

What are the characteristics of good eye contact?

Involves looking at the audience 95 percent of the time and looking at all parts of the audience.

What is an extended definition? Why is it preferable in a speech than a dictionary definition?

It gives a full, richly detailed picture of the meaning of the item. Dictionary definition is terse and dry

The text recommends that you aim for "back-row comprehension". What does this mean and why is the advice necessary?

Letters, numbers, and graphics, should be large enough that a person on the back row can see them clearly and easily. This advice is necessary because many presenters in the business world make the mistake of having a too-small visual.

How is an audience likely to react if you are careless with your thoughts and ideas?

Likely to discount everything you say

What is an audience-centered speaker?

Strives to understand listeners so that he or she can meet their needs and interests

What are taboos, and why are they an important concern for a speaker?

Taboos are prohibitions in a culture; violating them can offend an audience.

list 4 guidelines for the speech of acceptance

Thank those who helped you achieve the honor, thank the organization for giving you the award and recognize the work that they're doing, do not exaggerate, and be brief

What is ethnocentrism?

The belief that one's own cultural group is superior to other groups.

What is the difference between the denotation and the connotation of a word?

The denotation of a word is the thing or idea it refers to-it's dictionary definition. The connotation of a word is the emotional meaning that is associated with it

What should be the focus of a eulogy?

The significance of the person's life

What is the difference between the specific purpose and central idea?

The specific purpose is from the speaker's point of view-it's what he or she sets out to accomplish. The central idea is from the listener's point of view-it's the message that the listeners should go away with.

What is the best form of support?

There is no best one form of support. The type(s) used will always depend on your topic, audience, and purpose in speaking

Why are fear and nervousness beneficial to the public speaker?

They cause adrenaline to be released into the bloodstream, giving the speaker energy and vitality. This causes the speaker to be alert and dynamic rather than dull and listless.

What aspects of the speech occasion should you examine before giving your speech?

Time limit, purpose of the occasion, other events in the program, and number of people in the audience

Why should statistics be used sparingly in a speech?

Too many details given orally can be confusing and overwhelming for the audience

What is the "straw man" fallacy?

Trying to win an argument by using a "straw man" (a ridiculous caricature of what your opponents believe) and then beating it down with great ease.

Explain 3 options that a speaker can take to magnify a too-small visual

Use a camcorder with a zoom lens to enlarge the video on videotape, use a visual presenter (or ELMO), make an enlargement of an illustration onto an overhead transparency, scan a photo or drawing for use in an electronic presentation

A speaker says, "The lungs of a heavy smoker look like charred meat." What principle of informative speaking is the speaker using?

Using the familiar to explain the unfamiliar.

Speech of introduction

When one speaker introduces another to the audience

Is it legal to use graphics from the internet in a student speech in the classroom?

Yes. Copyright restrictions do not apply because you are engaged in a noncommercial, educational, one-time use of material

What is progressive revelation?

Revealing only part or item at a time, thereby building suspense and keeping listeners from reading or studying ahead of the speaker

Why is incorrect grammar a handicap for a speaker?

Some listeners devalue speakers who use poor grammar and consider them not as intelligent

What can speakers do with their hands to make sure that they are free for gesturing?

Speakers can let their hand rest on the lectern or they can allow them to hang naturally at their sides.

What must speakers use in order to make vivid images successful?

Specific details

What are the risks a speaker takes when telling a joke?

Listeners may have heard the joke before, or they might not be in a receptive mood

Why would it be a mistake to circulate a small photo during your speech?

Listeners might scrutinize the visual aid instead of paying attention to the speech

Why is a serious mistake to speak too rapidly at the beginning of a speech?

Listeners need time to get accustomed to your voice and to get into the groove of your speech.

List at least 5 motivations that all listeners have

Love, happiness, health, financial security, social acceptance, adventure, and creativity

What 2 speech elements should a listener examine analytically?

Main ideas and support material

Does an audience usually detect a speaker's nervousness?

No. Listeners are usually unaware of the physical symptoms that seem so severe to the speaker.

If there is a discrepancy between your words and your nonverbal behavior, which will the audience believe?

Nonverbal

Speech of acceptance

Often paired with the speech of presentation, it is given when a person is given an award, promotion, or some other form of public recognition

What are two kinds of process speeches?

One kind shows listeners how to perform a process so that they can actually use the skills later; the other kind explains a process so that the listeners understand it, not necessarily so they can perform it themselves

Speech of Presentation

One speaker makes a few remarks in presenting an honor or award to another. This speech should include background information about the purpose of the award, the criteria used for selecting the winner, and the achievements of the recipient.

How many examples are needed to develop a point?

Only as many as are necessary for listeners to understand, remember, or be convinced

In what way should oral language be treated differently from written language?

Oral language requires more elaboration and repetition than written language

Which is more persuasive-one vivid, personal narrative or a list of statistical data?

Personal example

What is the function of the speech of tribute

Praises or celebrates a group, a person, institution, or event

Speech of Tribute

Praises or celebrates a person, a group, an institution, or an event. Could be eulogy, wedding speech, or toasts.

What ingredient is essential for the success of an extemporaneous speech?

Preparation

Entertaining speech

Provides amusement or diversion for the audience. Setting can be formal or informal. Goal is not to persuade or inform.

Why is it important to relate a speech, if possible, to the listeners' self-interest?

Relating a speech to their self-interest increases their motivation to listen to the speech carefully