HONORS PS TEST #2 PT.2

A direct question is just another name for a rhetorical question a. True b. False

False References: A direct question seeks an overt response from the audience; a rhetorical question seeks a mental answer only, nothing out loud.

A transitional statement and an internal preview are the same thing. a. True b. False

False References: A transitional statement connects what was said with what will be said, but provides no specifics. An internal preview specifically identifies points to be made.

A signpost is an internal summary. a. True b. False

False References: An internal summary reminds listeners of points already made; a signpost is simply a marker that notifies listeners that a particular point is about to be addressed. Signposts can be particularly effective when they alert listeners to where you are in your speech, e.g., "My third and final point . . ."

Change a person's attitude and his or her behavior is sure to follow. a. True b. False

False References: Attitudes and behavior are not always consistent for a variety of reasons.

Using intensity as an attention strategy means using only examples that are intense and pleasant but not intense and unpleasant. a. True b. False

False References: Both pleasant and unpleasant intense examples have their place in creating attention (see text explanation).

A single scientific study is sufficient evidence to support a broad claim if the study is conducted properly. a. True b. False

False References: Generalizing from a single study, even a well-constructed one, is a hasty generalization. Scientists always replicate a study before drawing any firm conclusions.

"Have you ever wanted to be a rap star?" is an effective direct question to gain attention during the introduction of a speech on the perils of celebrity. a. True b. False

False References: If listeners have never wanted to be a rap star, then this rhetorical, not direct, question will be a flop. Make sure the rhetorical questions you use are meaningful to your audience, and not asked just for the sake of asking a question.

"The reason the economy is struggling is poor policy decisions by the Federal Reserve" is both a single cause and a correlation as causation fallacy. a. True b. False

False References: It can't be both. Correlation as causation asserts cause and effect based only on a time relationship. No cause-and-effect relationship is shown. A single cause fallacy, which this is, asserts a single cause for a complex phenomenon. Reasonable people may agree that the Fed screwed up, but a struggling economy usually has multiple causes, not merely a single one.

A defense lawyer is making an opening statement to a jury in a child molestation case. The lawyer wants to capture the jurors' attention. Using an opening joke that minimizes the seriousness of the crime is an effective strategy. a. True b. False

False References: Mixing comedy with tragedy is usually a poor mix.

Converting an audience from one strong attitude to an opposite attitude and corresponding behavior is highly likely if your persuasive speech is especially eloquent. a. True b. False

False References: Note the response to question 4. Conversion is highly unlikely in most situations, especially a single speech, eloquent or otherwise.

Self-deprecating humor works well for high-status individuals but not for low-status individuals. a. True b. False

False References: Self-deprecation works better for high-status individuals by revealing a lack of arrogance and ego, but low-status individuals can also use self-deprecation effectively to increase likeability if the self-deprecation is mild and doesn't lower credibility (just shows that you don't take yourself too seriously).

The specific purpose identifies the overall goal of your speech. a. True b. False

False References: The general purpose identifies the overall goal of your speech; the specific purpose is a phrase that encompasses the general purpose and indicates what the speaker hopes to accomplish with the speech.

"I want to convince you that this new health care plan is another devil-may-care, pork-barrel program" is a clear, precise and specific purpose statement. a. True b. False

False References: The language is too colorful and possibly unfamiliar ("pork-barrel") to many listeners who are unfamiliar with "political speech."

The Monroe's motivated sequence is a chronological organizational pattern. a. True b. False

False References: The motivated sequence is a problem-solution pattern with the added elements of a visualization step and an action step. Causes of the problem (need) are not specifically noted.

A syllogism is composed of six key elements: claim, grounds, warrant, backing, rebuttal, and qualifier. a. True b. False

False References: These six elements constitute the Toulmin structure of an argument.

A main point in an outline can be divided into a single subpoint. a. True b. False

False References: You don't divide anything into one. If I divide a stack of cash into one, I get all the money and you get bupkis. There must be a minimum of two subpoints for division.

The significance of the topic, credibility of the speaker, and preview of main points can be presented in any order and still be effective. a. True b. False

False References: You wouldn't preview main points before establishing significance and credibility. The preview always comes last in the introduction because it leads you into the body of your speech.

When attempting to persuade an audience that is not in agreement with your position, strongly advocating an extreme position—to show the passion in your stance—is likely to be most persuasive. a. True b. False

False References: The further an audience is from your position, the less likely that audience is to accept your suggestions for change, a technique known as "shooting the moon." Research suggests that taking moderate, not extreme, positions relative to a particular audience would be most persuasive.

biased source

One-sided source that has something to gain by only presenting SOME of the facts

"An astounding 42,000 individuals answered a call-in survey conducted by MSNBC last week. The results showed that 77% of these callers favored legalization of marijuana. Clearly, Americans have finally realized the merits of legalization of this common drug." This claim rests on a fallacy of self-selected sample. a. True b. False

True References: Call-in surveys attract the most rabid and committed individuals. A self-selected sample is inherently unrepresentative since it does not represent a truly random sample.

Maintaining current attitudes and behavior, not changing either, is an appropriate persuasive goal in some circumstances. a. True b. False

True References: Maintenance is one of the three key persuasive goals.

Attention to change is built into our brains. a. True b. False

True References: Our brains are hardwired to notice movement and change, not to notice stasis. We don't really watch the grass grow (too little movement), but we might notice large change that comes from an unmowed lawn. In addition, the startle response is hardwired into our brains as a defensive reflex that protects us from threats.

Attention is both a voluntary and an involuntary activity. a . True b. False

True References: Some stimuli grab our attention automatically (an obnoxious ringtone from a cell phone) and some require voluntary focus (choosing to listen to a speaker deliver a message on filling out your income tax forms—"Anyone, anyone?").

Strongly held attitudes are better predictors of likely behavior than weakly held attitudes. a. True b. False

True References: Strong attitudes are not as malleable as weakly held attitudes.

"The average price of a new car is $17,650, according to Time magazine." This is an incomplete citation. a. True b. False

True References: The date is not provided for the statistic or the magazine, so the statistic would be difficult to find. The statistic may be old and therefore no longer very relevant.

A speaker's outline should always flow from the purpose statement. a. True b. False

True References: The purpose statement acts as the blueprint for your speech.

The company that makes Cheerios, General Mills, claims that eating this cereal regularly can substantially reduce cholesterol levels. Thus, eating Cheerios has a health advantage. This claim suffers from a. a biased source ** b. a self-selected sample c. an ad populum claim d. false analogy

a. a biased source References: General Mills is a biased source because it stands to make lots of money by asserting the health benefit of its cereal. A more authoritative and objective source needs to be quoted for the claim that Cheerios lowers cholesterol levels. In actual fact, you'd have to eat a truckload of Cheerios each day to lower your cholesterol level substantially, but then you'd just get fat from overeating. Answer "b" is incorrect because no sample is cited, self-selected or otherwise. Answer "c" is wrong because the claim does not rest on popular opinion and preference. Answer "d" is incorrect because there is no comparison of two seemingly similar things.

You work diligently and tirelessly to advance a ballot measure calling for elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession. This is an example of a. high ego involvement b. the peripheral route to persuasion c. a secondhand attitude d. a and b

a. high ego involvement References: Answer "b" is the relatively mindless processing of persuasive messages, not to what extent a person is invested in a particular cause (ego involvement). Answer "c" is not an attitude derived from only indirect experience; the experience is direct—you're working on the campaign, not passively watching others.

The comparative advantages organizational pattern compares two things and argues that a. one is significantly better than the other b. both are equally valid approaches to solving a problem c. the benefits of both are insufficient to warrant adoption of either perspective d. none of the above

a. one is significantly better than the other References: Comparative advantages pattern claims that one policy, program, person, or practice is significantly better than another, not that both are equally valid or insufficient to warrant adoption.

Mindful listening a. requires focused attention b. is passive listening c. requires little effort to attend to a speaker's message d. all of the above

a. requires focused attention References: Mindful listening is focused, it is active, and it requires effort.

Attention is a. the act of focusing on a specific stimulus to the exclusion of competing stimuli b. the act of focusing on one or more stimuli at the same time c. the ability to multitask d. all of the above

a. the act of focusing on a specific stimulus to the exclusion of competing stimuli References: Listeners cannot focus on more than one stimuli simultaneously. "Whatever has your attention pretty much has your undivided attention" (Myers, see text). Multitasking is unfocused attention (switching back and forth in microseconds between competing stimuli). Attention requires focus on a specific stimuli to the exclusion of competing stimuli.

A topical organizational pattern a. suggests a specific sequence of events to explain b. breaks nicely into types, classifications, or parts of a whole c. explores the nature of a problem and solutions d. all of the above

b. breaks nicely into types, classifications, or parts of a whole References: A topical pattern does not explore the nature of problems and possible solutions (that is a problem-solution pattern); it also does not suggest a sequence of events (that is a chronological pattern).

The Monroe's motivated sequence is an organizational pattern that a. provides a solution, then explains the problem b. has 5 steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action c. has 5 steps: attention, problem, causes, solutions, and refutation d. begins with a narrative and ends with an action plan

b. has 5 steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action References: Answer "a" is logically confusing by offering a solution to a problem not yet presented; "c" offers the wrong 5 steps; "d" isn't really a clear organizational pattern—action plan for what?

You should replace your presentation outline (a full-sentence outline) with a __________ outline—an abbreviated outline (with only key words and phrases)—when you're getting ready to deliver your speech. a. formal b. preparation c. consolidated d. none of the above

b. preparation References: While you prepare a speech by constructing an outline composed of full sentences, you should revise that outline into a preparation outline (an abbreviated version of the full sentence outline) because it is far easier to glance at a word or phrase outline and trigger points to be made than to try to read entire sentences under pressure of speaking.

Television news stations report a disturbing instance of a home invasion in your city. You feel more uneasy about your own safety after the report, even though the report added that violent crime has dropped substantially in the last 5 years. This is a. confirmation bias b. the vividness effect ** c. skepticism d. pseudolistening

b. the vividness effect References: Answer "a" is incorrect because there is no indication that you are looking for information to confirm your fear of violent crime. The vividness of the incident reported unduly influences you. No skepticism or pseudolistening is exhibited.

"Having considered the serious harms from debt default, let's now consider what can be done about this crisis" is an example of a. signposting b. using a transition c. an internal preview d. an internal summary

b. using a transition References: Answer "a" does not state specific points (e.g., "My first point . . ."); "c" does not preview specific points but only mentions that the speaker may do this next (not clear at this point); this statement is not a summary of key points already made, just a brief mention that harms have been considered without specifying what they are. Answer "b" links what was said with what will be said—a transition.

If your anchor position is "Marijuana should be legalized," then according to the Social Judgment Theory a. "decriminalizing marijuana" (reducing use to a minor misdemeanor for any quantity under a pound) would fall within the latitude of rejection b. "legalizing medical marijuana use" would fall within the latitude of noncommitment c. "penalties for marijuana possession should be increased" would fall within the latitude of rejection d. none of the above has anything to do with Social Judgment Theory

c. "penalties for marijuana possession should be increased" would fall within the latitude of rejection References: Answer "a" falls within the latitude of acceptance—why set the cap at a pound; why not a truckload? Answer "b" also falls within the latitude of acceptance, not noncommitment. Answer "c" is clearly counter to the anchor position and would be rejected.

"Whenever Mary Lou wears her crystal necklace, she stays healthy. When she forgets to wear it, she gets sick. Clearly, crystals do protect us from illness." This is a. a false analogy b. an ad populum statement c. a correlation mistaken for causation ** d. a testimonial

c. a correlation mistaken for causation References: No analogy is provided and no conclusion is drawn from survey results, so answers "a" and "b" are incorrect. This is a correlation assumed to be a causation because of a temporal comparison. No testimonial is given. Mary Lou would have to give the testimonial, but clearly someone else is asserting causation based on Mary Lou's claimed experience.

Ways to establish credibility in an introduction to a speech include a. arguing against a previously held position b. mentioning that you searched the Internet for a long time to find information on your topic c. nothing real expertise that you have on the subject of your speech d. none of the above

c. nothing real expertise that you have on the subject of your speech References: Answer "a" may leave the impression that you are inconsistent and untrustworthy unless the switch in positions appears unbiased and is a careful assessment of evidence and reasoning. Searching the Internet provides no credibility; did you find anything authoritative or just misinformation or irrelevant material? If you have real expertise on a subject, don't hide the fact.

"If Congress fails to raise the federal debt limit a global economic catastrophe will likely ensue." This is a a. proposition of policy b. proposition of value c. proposition of fact d. none of the above

c. proposition of fact References: This is a proposition of future fact—an assertion of truth that has not happened but may in the future.

"In brief, I provided historical context for understanding our debt crisis, presented three harms from ignoring our national debt, and offered some long-term solutions" is a. bookending your conclusion b. providing an attention strategy for your conclusion c. summarizing the main points of your speech d. all of the above

c. summarizing the main points of your speech References: Bookending is making reference to a story or anecdote provided as an opening to a speech. No attention strategy is provided by this conclusion.

Using humor effectively and appropriately can be challenging for a speaker. Typically, a. if you cannot tell a joke without flubbing the punch line, never use humor in your speeches b. avoid ridicule c. use self-deprecating humor d. none of the above

c. use deprecating humor References: Answer "a" goes too far. A speaker can quote a humorous statement of others or tell an amusing story without a punch line. Answer "b" fails to recognize that "almost all forms of humor involve ridicule" (Greengross & Miller, see text). It isn't the ridicule that makes humor ineffective or inappropriate—there is much ridicule in a "roast" of a person being honored. Self-deprecating humor translates well to most audiences and situations if done skillfully. Correct

Why is expecting listeners to respond overtly to a question risky business? a. You may get a strong, unexpected response. b. You may get no or few responses. c. Unexpected responses may cause you to stall or stammer. d. All of the above

d. All of the above References: Guessing how an audience will respond is asking for trouble. Do your research, determine in advance what your audience knows (see the chapter on audience analysis), and skip polling your audience at the beginning of a speech when you are unsure of responses.

Which of the following is an example of the peripheral route to persuasion? a. Physical attractiveness of the speaker b. Likability of the speaker c. Credentials of the speaker indicating expertise on the subject of the speech d. All of the above

d. All of the above References: None of these answers involves development of arguments, use of reasoning, and presentation of supporting evidence (central route to persuasion). These are all peripheral cues.

Research on multitasking reveals a. almost everyone is terrible at multitasking b. a deterioration in performance on all tasks undertaken simultaneously c. a general inability of multitaskers to ignore irrelevant information d. all of the above

d. all of the above

"According to Francine Freederhouser, director of research at Plantonometrics, a manufacturer of computer chips, global warming will cost $3 trillion worldwide to reverse" is a weak use of a source because the source is a. missing a date b. cited out of her field of expertise c. not credible on this issue d. all of the above

d. all of the above References: A date is missing and the source is clearly quoted out of her field of expertise so she is not credible on global warming.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a credible source because the CDC is a. both consistent and accurate b. an internationally recognized authority c. consistently objective d. all of the above

d. all of the above References: Credibility refers to believability as determined by consistency, accuracy, the reputation of the source, and its behavior over time. This government organization has all of the qualities necessary to be considered credible.

You give a speech attempting to persuade your audience to run for the student senate. The likelihood that anyone will join the senate is strongly influenced by a. the effort required to spend time acting as a senator b. social pressure from a peer group that either ridicules or encourages such participation c. the strength of attitudes regarding the importance of such participation d. all of the above

d. all of the above References: Effort, social pressure, and strength of attitudes are key variables that predict the likelihood of attitude-behavior consistency.

Speeches typically should include these objectives: a. Attention strategy b. Clear purpose statement c. Preview of main points d. All of the above

d. all of the above References: Text discusses each of these objectives.

A speaker says: "Why are there so few electric cars on the road today?" This is a. an effective purpose statement b. a clear central idea for the speech c. a purpose statement that provides clear direction for the speech d. none of the above

d. none of the above References: A specific purpose statement requires a declarative sentence, not a question; this statement also provides no clear direction for the audience (inform, persuade, motivate, entertain, etc.) or central idea (only a question without an answer).

As a speaker, you want to use a novel opening to your speech. A novel opening that is both potentially effective and appropriate includes which of the following? a. Startling your audience of parents, relatives, and friends at graduation ceremonies by appearing in a sexually provocative outfit b. Beginning your speech with the statement: "Today I am excited to talk about . . ." c. Telling a personal story unrelated to your topic to gain attention of your audience d. None of the above

d. none of the above References: Answer "a" is likely to be inappropriate for most of your audience (there may be a few exceptions); "b" is commonplace and unimaginative; "c" is ineffective because it is unrelated to your topic.

vividness effect

the tendency for dramatic, shocking events to distort one's perception of reality