Refining your Speech Chapter 7

When speaking to a group, rather than writing an essay, why is it important to adapt your style?

Oral communication has a higher level of immediacy and a lower level of retention than written communication

Imogen's speech is about the role NASA plays in the emerging field of space tourism. She began her speech with, "In 1969, Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, but what if I told you that Neil Armstrong had no training as an astronaut?" What type of attention getting device has Imogen used?

Provocative Statement

Eric is delivering a speech during an election year to revise the electoral college in the United States. He began his speech by saying, "On November 4, millions of people will vote to elect the next president of the United States." What type of attention getting device has Eric used?

Reference to a current event

Tanya has 3 weeks to prepare a persuasive speech to an audience that likely disagree with her thesis. Her current attention getting device is a reference to a recent event. How can she improve her attention getting device?

She can use an anecdote

Sarah begins her speech about German cuisine with a joke, "A pretzel was walking down the street and it was assaulted." However, as she progressed into her speech, she realized this attention-getting introduction had been ineffective. What is the reason for this?

This joke didn't alone didn't cover enough of the functions of an effective attention-getter.

Ian received feedback that the language he used to describe a group of people in his speech could be considered offensive. Ian carefully reviewed his language before delivering his speech and did not find anything offensive. His language has been used to describe that group since he was young. What could Ian have done to identify his language pitfall before he delivered his speech?

He could ask another person to review his speech for potential language pitfalls.

Which question in revising a conclusion is addressed in the following example? "So, when I ask you this time whether you would rather earn 1 million dollars or a simple bean, you may want to reconsider your previous answer."

Link back to the attention getting device

Peter, an employee at TechVista, delivered a presentation to his company's executive board at the town hall. He began his speech by stating, "My name is Peter Wooten and today I will be explaining why TechVista employees should have a 4 day work week." However, as soon as he finished his statement, the board members already looked disinterested or shut down. Why do you think Peter's audience did not respond in a positive way to his opening?

He did not begin with an attention getting device.

In Jordan's speech, he says "Now that I've discussed gum health, I will now explain how you should floss every night." What language pitfall has Jordan failed to avoid?

Avoiding collective pronouns

What type of concluding device is the following statement? "I've brought in enough energy reducing lightbulbs for everyone to take one. All you need to do is take one and replace one of the incandescent lights you have at home. Then, enjoy a reduced electricity bill and the knowledge that you are doing your part to save our planet."

Call to action

Elliot speakers to high schoolers across the country about how to prepare for college. In his presentation, often uses the term "ivy-league" when describing a group of long-established universities in the eastern US having high academic and social prestige. He notices, though, that while some audience members respond positively to the phrase, others roll their eyes, share comments between each other, or simply shut down. He does not understand what might cause this. What should Elliot examine about the term "ivy-league" to discover the impact it has on his audiences?

Connotative meaning

Ian is revising his speech. What is NOT a question he should ask when considering how to make his connectors and transitions more effective?

Do they flow well?

Matthew describes a hypothetical scenario in speech where he refers to a "stewardess" on an airplane. Which language pitfall did Matthew fail to avoid?

Exclusionary language

The five goals of an introduction serve the overall purpose of the introduction, which is:

For the audience to decide that you and your topic are worth listening to.

Charles began his speech with a strong attention getting device, used audience analysis to explain how the topic affected his audience, and provided a clear thesis. However, although the audience liked him, they failed to view him as competent. What is the most likely reason that Charles failed to establish credibility with the audience?

He did not provide a preview of his main points.

Jerry feels awkward and unnatural using the exact same wording in his preview, summary transitions, and review of his main points. How should Jerry preview, transition, and review his main points?

He should the exact same language, even if it feels awkward

In the following statement, what type of connector is the 1st sentence? "So in revisiting the Cretacious-Paleogene extinction of 66 million years ago, we've examined the comet that caused it, the species left behind, and the changes from its impact. So now, let's move forward in time from the Cretacious-Paleogene extinction, to finally, explore the anthropocene extinction."

Internal Review

What can Emmett do to ensure that the review of his main points is easy to recall?

Use the exact same names for each main point as was used in his preview.

Erika is delivering a keynote speech for a very large audience that will also be televised. She wants to make sure she uses words to sketch a big picture that will inspire and appeal to a wide demographic. What type of words should she use?

Abstract

Richard will be speaking at a rally, urging people to vote in favor of a state ballot measure. He knows that his demographic is wide and may not be aligned, politically. He wants to sketch a big picture that uses words to unite and appeal to his various audience members by enabling each of them to relate in their own way. What type of words will accomplish this?

Abstract

Maurice is revising his introduction in hopes of making it stronger. Which is NOT a question for him to ask when considering how to make his introduction more effective?

Have I provided a preview of my main points?

Malik ends his introduction by telling the audience what the three main points of his speech will be. What type of connector is this?

Main Preview

Next week, Amanda is delivering a speech the school board in favor of raising the minimum wage. Amanda's school board as well as most of the school's employees are salaried. What must Amanda provide in her introduction in order to gain credibility and retain her audience's attention?

A reason to listen

Jason's speech is 10 minutes long. How long should his conclusion last?

Between 30 - 60 seconds

Sara's total speech is 8 minutes long. How long should her introduction last?

Between 48 - 72 seconds

Which of the following is an example of oral style?

But this is new to us. And it's hard.

Steve will be delivering his keynote address next week and wants to make sure the language he uses in his speech will be as effective as possible. What is NOT a question he should ask when revising the language of his speech?

Does my language reflect my expertise?

Which of the following is NOT considered a purpose of the conclusion?

Establish credibility for the speaker

What is NOT a characteristic that effective audible organizational tools should have in order to help the audience follow along?

Loud

Douglas has a week left before his presentation and he wants to use that time to revise and improve his introduction. What is NOT a helpful question for Doug to ask when revising his introduction?

Have I cited the sources for the main points of the speech?

Gerald wants to make sure her audience feels that he is speaking directly to them. How can he use audience analysis to cater his language to his specific audience?

He can use words that reflect the regional dialect of his audience.

Julian is revising his conclusion. What is NOT a question he should ask when considering how to make his conclusion more effective?

How have I established my credibility?

Samantha memorizes and practices the delivery of her conclusion until it is consistent and delivered confidently. In addition to addressing the question: "How well can I deliver my conclusion?" which other question for revising a conclusion can Samantha's effort address?

How long is my conclusion?

Aaron's speech is about vestigial organs. He began with: "Imagine going to take a shower in the morning and your mother reminds you to wash your gills!" What type of attention getting device did Aaron use?

Hypothetical Scenario

Gerald has brought a list of local representatives with their mailing addresses, form letters, and stamped envelopes to pass out at the end of his speech. Which component of a call to action has Gerald met?

Lower the barriers to action

Dinah is giving a presentation to a much younger audience. She is considering replacing some of her words with the more common slang of the generation of her audience. She feels slightly uncomfortable using those words and worries that she might come across as disingenuous. What language pitfall does Dinah's concern address?

Inappropriate language

Allison ends her speech with, "So today, we learned about the challenges facing new college graduates by first examining the job market, then financial realities, and finally the changing status of accreditation. And...that's it. Thank you." Which purpose of the conclusion has Allison failed to fulfill?

Leave the audience with a clear take away

Marjerie asked her classmate, Ethan, to provide feedback on her speech. While he found her delivery engaging and noted that she had a clear thesis, he had trouble following her logic. He was not sure how her examples supported her ideas. When she later showed Ethan her outline, her logic made perfect sense. What is the likely reason that Ethan was unable to follow her logic during the speech?

Marjerie did not provide clear previews and transitions.

Eugene wants to end his persuasive speech with a call to action. Which of the following is NOT something that Eugene should ensure his call to action includes?

Open-endedness

Dorothy is delivering a speech about the theory that William Shakespeare was not one playwright, but the pen name of a group of playwrights. She began her speech with, "We all know that William Shakespeare was one of the greatest and most influential playwrights of our time. What we've gotten wrong, though, is that Shakespeare was merely an actor." What type of attention getting device has Dorothy used?

Provocative Statement

Kenny has been asked to revise his classmate, Anna's speech, about the challenges that students face at their college. He notes that it's difficult to digest each main point: 1) The campus does not have adequate parking for students 2) Student fees have increased 3) Study space is not always available. What should Kenny suggest that Anna does first to make her main points more easily recalled?

Reduce the wording of her main points

Margaret, a state university student, delivered a speech to her college board of trustees at their monthly meeting. She began began her speech by stating, "My name is Margaret Anderson and today I will be discussing why college athletes should be paid under contract." However, as soon as she finished her statement, the members of the board already looked disinterested or shut down. Why do you think Margaret's audience did not respond in a positive way to her opening?

She did not begin with an attention getting device.

Janice is speaking to an incoming group of newly hired employees at her job. During her presentation, she uses several acronyms and phrases that are unique to their industry as well as the company they now all work for. How should Janice adapt her presentation to make sure that newly hired employees will understand her language?

She should define each new piece of jargon the first time she uses it

Andrea would like to use the speech she gave about extinction as the basis for her paper in her anthropology class. What adaptations should she make when writing her paper?

She should elevate her vocabulary to include rich and precise words.

Elisa uses words like "next" and "today" and "first" when introducing her ideas. What type of connector is this?

Signpost

Andrew has completed the outline of his speech and now needs to add his previews, reviews, and transitions. As he prepares them, what is NOT a characteristic of effective audible organizational tools that he should keep in mind?

Smooth

Edgar's conclusion reviews his main points, restates his thesis, and ends with a lasting thought. However, he wants to save his strongest argument for the conclusion, hoping that the primary recency phenomenon will urge his audience to take this last message to heart. By putting a new idea, his strongest argument, in the conclusion of his speech, which purpose of a conclusion has Edgar failed to fulfill?

Summarize the Speech

Using the sample outline of a speech about exercise, identify the type of connector that is written below. 1. Cardio Training A. High Intensity B. Steady State C. Intervals 2. Strength Training A. Body Weight B. Free Weights C. Machines 3. Circuit Training A. Timed Circuit B. Competition Circuit C. Repetition Circuit "Now that we've worked up a sweat with cardio training, let's next build some muscle with strength training."

Summary Transition

Leigh's speech is about how to choose a pet. She wants to improve her main points and make them easier to recall. They are currently: 1) decide what type of animal best suits your lifestyle 2) decide whether you want to look at rescue groups, shelters, or breeders 3) do a test run with specific pets to see their personalities. Which example below is the most effective way to rephrase her main points?

The animal, the source, the personality

Anya is adapting her paper from her history class into a speech. What adaptations should she make when creating her speech?

The grammar and sentence structure should be changed to shorter thought units

Which of the following is NOT a strategy to make connectors more helpful in recalling the main points of the speech?

Use vivid imagery

What type of concluding device is the following sentence? "Imagine your life where instead of having to take time off work to visit your family or spend the day hiking, these activities and your own self-care is actually part of your job."

Visualize the future