Speaking to Inform

Which of the following is not one of the four basic methods of speech delivery?

Playing a recording

A speaker can add the words ______ to a speech in order to help relate the topic to the audience.

"you" or "your"

In a question-and-answer session, answers to simple questions should be about ______, and answers to more complicated questions should be ______.

30 seconds; 2 to 3 minutes

A manuscript delivery of a speech would be most appropriate in which of the following situations?

A governor's address to the legislature

In which situation is a speech most likely to be memorized?

A toast to a new couple

When called upon suddenly to give an impromptu speech, which of the following strategies should you employ?

Act calm. Use signposts.

Brianne is giving a speech on how explosions are created in movies. She states everything in a similar manner, with little inflection. Eventually, despite the topic of the speech, she notices that many in her audience are looking bored, and one is actually taking a nap. Which of the following would be the most effective way to make the delivery of her speech more engaging?

Alter her pitch

Which of the following situations is most likely to involve impromptu delivery?

Answering questions at a job interview

In her speech, Jacqueline said, "I wanna show you jus' what to do to prepare your kite for flight." Which part of her vocal delivery needs practice?

Articulation

While listening to Garth give his speech, some audience members were unsure whether he said "share" or "chair." What area of delivery does Garth need to work on?

Articulation

How should you approach public speaking if you want your voice to be lively and expressive?

As an opportunity to share with your listeners ideas that are important to you.

How seriously should a speaker take the question-and-answer session?

As seriously as the speech

When giving an informative speech on a subject that is highly technical, which of the following strategies should be used?

Assume that the audience knows nothing about the subject and use very simple language throughout the speech.

In an informative speech on supervolcanoes, the speaker uses visual aids to compare the power of a supervolcano eruption to a famous volcanic eruption, Mt. Vesuvius. Which guideline for informative speeches does this illustrate?

Avoid abstraction.

Which of the following are guidelines for effective informative speaking?

Avoid abstractions. Personalize your ideas. Avoid technical language.

A speaker who tells the audience that he or she is "delighted" to be with them will undermine her statement by doing which of the following?

Avoiding eye contact

Which type of organizational pattern is the most common in speeches about processes?

Chronological

Speakers can help ensure proper pronunciation by doing which of the following?

Consulting a dictionary for any words about which they are unsure Practicing in front of friends who can give gentle correction

What quality must a speaker have to achieve all the guidelines for effective informative speaking?

Creativity

Which of the following are the recommended ways to avoid abstractions when giving a speech?

Describe. Contrast. Compare

Which of the following is an example of topical organization?

Describing the four qualifications used to grade diamonds

Which of the following are aspects of conversational speaking that audiences tend to prefer in formal speeches?

Directness Vocal and facial expressiveness

In a speech on supervolcanoes, the speaker begins by providing a simple explanation of what supervolcanoes are and how they are formed. Which guidelines for effective informative speeches does this example illustrate?

Don't be too technical. Don't overestimate what the audience knows.

Having good command over extemporaneous speeches is signified by which of the following?

Ease of establishing eye contact A conversational quality Control over ideas

Which of the following are true of delivery in extemporaneous speeches? Remember that extemporaneous speeches are not the same as impromptu speeches, even if popular usage sometimes uses "extemporaneous" to mean "without preparation."

Extemporaneous speeches have slightly different wording each time they're delivered. Extemporaneous speaking encourages a conversational quality. Extemporaneous speeches rely on brief notes or a speaking outline.

True or false: Speakers should be creative in designing visual aids but should not be creative in their use of language.

False

True or false: The amount and form of eye contact considered appropriate in everyday conversation is the same across cultures.

False

Concerning movement, a speaker should remember which of the following?

Fidgety movement makes the speaker appear nervous. Distracting motions will negatively affect listeners.

Which of the following are basic methods of speech delivery?

From memory Impromptu Read from a manuscript Extemporaneous

When practicing your speech, it helps to do which of the following?

Get feedback from other people once you have learned the speech Read through your preparation outline to check the initial length Work on the wording of quotations and examples

When Joshua gave a speech on heart disease at school, he discussed his grandfather's death from the disease and mentioned a widely liked teacher who was struggling with the disease. By doing this, which speaking guidelines did Joshua follow successfully?

He related the topic to the audience. He personalized ideas.

During his question-and-answer session, Don is confused by a question. What actions should he take?

He should ask the audience member to repeat the question. He should rephrase the question to make sure he understands it.

While presenting a speech on auto repairs, Jeff switches between staring at his visual aids and looking at a spot in the middle of his audience. How should he have been looking at his audience?

He should have looked at more than one spot in the audience. He should have attempted to make eye contact with as many people as possible.

Carol grew up in Boston and has a strong New England accent, though she has learned to deemphasize it and take on a more neutral dialect when necessary. In which of the following scenarios should Carol feel most comfortable using a heavy New England dialect?

High School Reunion Speech

Ray was self-conscious about his Philadelphia accent when giving speeches at his college in Texas. He was afraid some people in the audience would make fun of his dialect. Which of the following recommendations would help Ray?

If the dialect is heavy, consider neutralizing it for audiences not familiar with it. Remember that no dialect is inferior to another.

Which of the following are techniques for improving the rate of your speaking?

Include notes on pacing in your speaking outline. Record and listen to yourself practicing.

Which of the following are important in preparing an informative speech about a process?

Including a chart or other visual aid Having concise organization Making each step clear

If you were giving a speech about foster care, which of the following would be an example of personalizing your ideas?

Including anecdotes about your own experiences with foster care

Which of the following statements are true about the rate at which a person delivers a speech?

It depends on mood the speaker is trying to create. It varies with the occasion.

Which of the following are advantages of extemporaneous speaking?

It is more precise than impromptu speaking. It encourages the speaker to adopt a conversational tone.

When speakers reach the end of a presentation, they should remember to do which of the following?

Maintain eye contact for several seconds after they are done speaking Remain cool and collected until they return to their seats

Which of the following are basic guidelines for good delivery that should be implemented by a beginning public speaker?

Make eye contact. Speak intelligibly.

Which of the following would be an appropriate topic for an informative speech about a concept?

Mysticism

Aaron is running for a city council position in his home town and is giving a speech to voters on why they should trust him more than his opponent. Which of the following actions would be the most likely to undermine his speech?

Not making eye contact with listeners

During her speech on diabetes, Tomia discussed many facts about its causes and how to treat it. However, she forgot to give real-world examples of people who live with diabetes and didn't mention that her mother was recently diagnosed with the disease. What guideline to effective informative speaking did she violate?

Personalize your ideas.

Sheila is preparing a speech on the technical topic—the role of neural networks in machine learning. After the speech, she will be participating in a brief question-and-answer session. Which of the following should she consider preparing?

Plain-language explanations of complex terms and concepts A handout for people who want more information

Ellen is preparing to give an important speech at a company conference in which several senior managers will be present. To make sure she avoids embarrassing mistakes or oversights, Ellen had decided to read her script from a manuscript. Which of the following are methods Ellen should use to prepare for her speech?

Practice aloud to make sure the speech sounds natural. Work on establishing eye contact with the audience.

Which of the following are ways to practice your delivery?

Practice aloud with visual aids. Perform a dress rehearsal.

What is the best way to ensure that your pitch matches the meaning of your words?

Record and listen to yourself as you practice your speech.

In order to optimize practice time, speakers should do which of the following?

Rehearse aloud, including examples and quotations Make sure notes are easy to read Record a rehearsal in order to carry out a self-critique

In concluding her speech on supervolcanoes, the speaker says, "In this speech, I have tried to inform you about the sleeping giants beneath our feet. Right now, magma is dripping ever so slowly into giant chambers in the earth. One day, perhaps thousands of years from now, another supervolcano will explode again, changing our world forever." What guideline for informative speeches does this segment best illustrate?

Relate the subject directly to the audience.

In her speech on voting technology, Vanda asked audience members if they had made their voices heard in the last municipal election. What guideline for effective informative speaking did Vanda's question fulfill?

Relate the subject directly to the audience.

Rank from first to last the recommended steps for improving delivery, putting the first step at the top.

Review Create Practice Polish Do a dress

When Gabriela explained to audience members the feeling of isolation, she had them imagine life on a deserted island with only animals to talk to. What guidelines for informative speaking did Gabriela follow by doing this?

She avoided abstractions. She was creative

Juanita read most of her speech from note cards and, as a result, members of her audience were likely to believe which of the following about her?

She did not know what she was talking about. She did not prepare sufficiently. She was not sincere.

A political leader gives a speech about generating energy. She adds a "u" to the word nuclear so it sounds like "nucular." Which of the following is true?

She has mispronounced the word "nuclear."

Kristen tried to tell her audience of inexperienced computer users how to design their own Web page. She used computer terminology but did not clearly define those terms. What guidelines for effective informative speaking did Kristen violate?

She overestimated how much the audience knew about computer programming. She used language that was too technical for a general audience.

During Jessica's question-and-answer session, she listened carefully to a question that she was sure she covered in her presentation. How should she approach her answer?

She should assume that her original explanation was not completely clear and use the time as an opportunity to expand on the point.

When Maria wanted to help her audience understand what she meant by "empowerment," she told a descriptive story about how she started her own business. What guidelines for effective informative speaking did Maria fulfill?

She tried to avoid overestimating audience knowledge. She personalized her ideas. She described the abstract term "empowerment."

Edwin gave a speech about Mt. Everest. He discussed the base camp at the foot of the mountain, the features of the slopes, and the summit. Which type of organizational pattern did Edwin use?

Spatial organization

Aidan is delivering an extemporaneous speech on diversity in literature. He speaks slowly, makes sure he speaks loudly enough, uses inflections appropriately, and pronounces his words carefully. Despite this, he notices that many of his listeners losing interest. What can Aidan do to improve his delivery?

Speak at a rate that keeps the audience's interest

Derek just finished giving a speech to his class, and asked for his classmates' feedback. The class thought Derek was well prepared and found the subject matter informative and easy to follow, but they noted that at certain points they felt as if Derek was shouting at them. Which aspect of the speech should Derek work on?

Speaker's voice

Which method of delivery is preferred by most speakers and teachers?

Speaking extemporaneously

Which of the following are acceptable when managing a question-and-answer session?

Stop a questioner's extended monologue. Offer to get the answer for a question to which you do not know the answer. Admit that you do not know the answer to a question.

What characteristics should gestures have in a speech?

Suited to the occasion Spontaneous in appearance

Susan gave a speech to incoming college student about their rights and responsibilities, followed by a question-and-answer session in which students asked a lot of questions that Susan found boring. Although the reception to the speech was largely positive, after the question-and-answer session, many audience members appeared disappointed and frustrated. Which of the following would be a likely explanation?

Susan evaded questions or appeared annoyed.

Which of the following would be a topic for an informative speech about an object?

The Grand Canyon

Mark Twain once said, "The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." Which of the following was Twain likely referring to?

The ability of a well-timed pause to provide dramatic impact.

Which of the following topics would be treated as an informative speech about an event?

The signing of the Declaration of Independence

Ideally, how should audience members perceive their relationship to a speaker who is reading from a manuscript?

The speaker is talking with them.

How can pauses contribute to effective speech delivery?

They can give time for an idea to sink in. They can signal the end of a thought. They can make a statement more dramatic.

Which of the following statements about audience question-and-answer sessions is true?

They can make or break a presentation.

Which of the following should a speaker assume about his or her audience when giving an informative speech?

They know very little, if anything, about the subject.

May Ellen is from a small town in Georgia. She is attending college in the state of Oregon, and most of her classmates are from the Pacific Northwest. How would her classmates most likely react if May Ellen's speech makes heavy use of her dialect?

They would make negative judgments about her intelligence and competence.

Which of the following are elements of the speaker's voice that should be controlled to make a speech more effective?

Volume Pronunciation Pitch

In a speech on supervolcanoes, the speaker describes the organization of her speech by saying "We'll first examine the mechanics of supervolcanoes. Second, we'll examine the way they shape our world. And third, we'll look at a supervolcano that's located right here in the United States." Based on this description, which organizational pattern did the speaker use?

Topical

What organizational pattern would you use if you wanted to inform your audience about the three major sociological approaches?

Topical

Which organizational pattern would work best for the following specific purpose statement: "To inform my audience about the important symbols of Kwanzaa"?

Topical

Overestimating an audience's knowledge of your topic is a bigger problem than underestimating it.

True

True or false: Clothes and grooming affect the impression that speakers make when in front of most audiences.

True

Jun wanted to give an effective informative speech about rock climbing to an audience that was unfamiliar with the activity. In order to avoid abstractions, he should consider doing which of the following?

Use a comparison to an experience listeners could relate to Use concrete language to describe details Contrast the danger of the sport to other sports

If a speaker sees listeners leaning forward with strained looks on their faces and their hands cupping their ears, the speaker's first reaction should be to increase which aspect of his or her voice?

Volume

In which of the following scenarios is it acceptable to use technical language in an informative speech?

When the audience specializes in the subject

When can public speakers wear unusual or very casual outfits without undermining the effectiveness of a speech?

When they are widely regarded as an eccentric genius.

Which of the following should you consider when deciding how loudly to speak?

Whether you will have a microphone The acoustics of the room The size of the audience

If a speaker expects to be asked questions by the audience after delivering the speech, what should the speaker do to prepare?

Write and practice answers to expected questions.

The type of informative speech that explains an idea or belief is a speech about

a concept.

Gary gave a speech at his university on how to use the student e-mail accounts. The type of informative speech he gave was a speech about

a process.

When a speaker does not produce the sounds of letters properly, the problem is ______. When a speaker does not say a word properly, this is a different problem, known as ______.

articulation; mispronunciation

It is important for speakers to remember that gestures should

be suited to the audience. not distract from the message.

When delivering a speech from memory, speakers must remember to

concentrate on communicating with the audience.

Beliefs, theories, ideas, and principles are all examples of

concept

In order to give an interesting, engaging speech, you should not only follow the guidelines for informative speaking but also be ______ and use language imaginatively, descriptively, and clearly.

creative

The type of vocal variation that gives a speaker vitality and helps indicate meaning and emotion is referred to as

inflection.

A sense of conviction and a desire to communicate is likely to make your voice

lively and conversational

Concerning gestures, speakers need to

refrain from playing with rings. avoid wringing their hands together.

A speaker must avoid using language that is too ______ so that the audience can understand the message.

technical

Carol is giving a process speech about various gardening techniques. She does not follow a step-by-step order but instead chooses some important elements of the process: picking fruit, preparing the soil, watering plants, and buying seeds. Carol's speech uses ______ organization.

topical

Which of the following is the most likely to detract from a speaker's credibility and may create negative perceptions about the speaker's intelligence?

vocalized pauses