Ch. 12 Effective Delivery

Which of the following is the best way to clear up any audience confusion regarding your oral presentation?

Have a question-and-answer session. Answering questions on the spot is one of the biggest advantages of oral presentations.

Which statement best describes the use of technology during speeches?

Presenters must check all their equipment beforehand.

The characteristic that makes an impromptu presentation different from all other types of presentations is that it is ______

unexpected

A speaker should deal with problems like missing notes, overlong speeches, and confusing information by ______.

using rehearsal to identify and solve any problems beforehand

Which are the main elements of delivery when making a speech or presentation?

visual and vocal The main elements of delivery are visual, verbal, and vocal.

If you make an obvious mistake, such as citing the wrong figures or mispronouncing a name, the correct response is ______.

"Let me correct that."

Which are nonverbal ways to encourage questions during a question-and-answer session?

- Raise your hand as you ask for questions. - Lean forward when you ask the audience questions.

Which are downsides of memorizing a speech?

- Speakers can seem robotic. - Speakers typically fail to incorporate nonverbal expressions or displays of emotion. - It sounds memorized. - It can increase speaker nervousness. - It is difficult to recover from forgetting a portion of a memorized speech.

The speakers' voice can convey ______.

- enthusiasm or disinterest - confidence or nervousness - friendliness or hostility - respect or disdain

Which of the following could cause listeners to reject your message?

- looking sloppy - seeming unenthusiastic - speaking in a way that's hard to understand

Which of the following provide good opportunities for novice speakers to practice?

- speech courses - community workshops - beginner presentations on non-critical matters

Which of the following is the most important thing to do when making an opening statement in a presentation?

Deliver it directly to the audience.

Very few of the speeches you deliver should be given extemporaneously.

False Almost every speech you give, from a wedding toast to a sales presentation, should be given extemporaneously.

Communication apprehension always presents a serious problem.

False Communication apprehension does not have to represent a serious problem.

Dressing effectively always means dressing up.

False Dressing effectively does not always mean dressing up.

The best way to get listeners to ask questions is to ask, "Do you have any questions?"

False If listeners are reluctant to ask questions, consider leading with a possible question to get the ball rolling.

It isn't a good idea to allow questions in a webinar.

False In the case of webinars, it is the responsibility of the speaker and the host to determine if and when questions will be solicited.

There's no need to plan for questions by preparing responses; your answers should be natural and spontaneous.

False Just as you prepare for an important exam by anticipating the questions that the professor is likely to ask, so you should prepare responses to the inquiries that you are likely to receive in relation to your presentation.

Most audiences expect perfection, even in unrehearsed remarks.

False Most audiences do not expect perfection in unrehearsed remarks.

If a presentation is well designed, it will make up for any flaws or deficits in delivery.

False No matter how well designed, a presentation must be well delivered if it is to succeed.

Which statement explains why a "yes-and" reply is an effective way to answer a hostile questioner?

It acknowledges the concern and tells how it has been addressed. A "yes-and" reply takes the questioner seriously and provides an answer.

What should a speaker do if an audience seems reluctant to ask questions?

Start the session by referring to a likely question.

What problem may occur if a speaker making a business presentation looks sloppy, is hard to understand, or lacks enthusiasm?

The listeners may reject the message.

Which statement best describes the relationship between the method of delivery and the effectiveness of a presentation?

The method of delivery can help but cannot guarantee an effective presentation

Why do speakers who read from manuscripts often sound stuffy and artificial?

The written word is more formal than the spoken word. Spoken ideas differ in structure and content from written messages. That is why speakers who read from a manuscript sound artificial and stuffy.

Why do inexperienced speakers often choose to use a manuscript presentation?

They are nervous about speaking before a large audience.

Why do many business presentations include question-and-answer sessions?

They offer the opportunity to clear up any audience confusion.

How is the audience affected when someone leaves out part of a presentation?

They rarely realize a mistake happened. An audience is usually unaware of mistakes or omissions.

Which of the following should inexperienced speakers do regarding their presentation skills?

They should gain more experience by speaking more often. Inexperienced speakers should gain experience by taking on modest challenges with relatively low stakes.

Few experiences are as boring as the average manuscript presentation.

True By their very nature, manuscript presentations are extremely boring. Audience members could easily read the manuscript on their own.

The best way to generate enthusiasm is to think of your presentation as sharing ideas you truly believe in.

True Often professionals seem indifferent when they deliver presentations. Remember to deliver presentations with enthusiasm and emotion.

A speaker who talks directly to an audience will be seen as more involved and sincere, regardless of the speaking occasion.

True Speaking directly to the audience is a critical part of public speaking.

What type of individual is often asked to make an impromptu presentation?

an expert on a topic

When a presentation is running long, the best way to shorten it is to eliminate the ______.

audience questions

You will be giving a presentation in a conference room. When should you set up your visual aids and other aspects of the presentation?

before the presentation You should set up the aspects of the presentation that you can control before you begin your speech.

A speaker can help convince the audience that he or she understands them by ______.

choosing clothes similar to theirs

When a question threatens to move a presentation off track, the speaker should ______.

frame the answer so that it points back to the goal

A positive result of anxiety about public speaking can be the motivation to ______.

give one's best performance The threat of failure can motivate a speaker to try harder.

Which characteristic is just as important as a speaker's word choice and appearance?

how a speaker sounds

Mispronouncing words and articulating words sloppily can convey the impression that the speaker is ______.

ignorant and should not be taken seriously Mispronouncing a term and articulating words sloppily will erode a speaker's credibility.

Speakers can anticipate what questions might be asked during a presentation by ______.

imagining themselves in their listeners' position

To connect with an audience at the beginning of a presentation, a speaker should ______.

look at the audience instead of looking down at notes

Failure to enunciate your words ______.

makes the speaker sound unprofessional

A speaker who reads a speech word for word from a prepared document is giving a(n) ______ presentation.

manuscript

An effective way of dealing with questions that are likely to drag you off track without offending the questioner is to ______.

offer to discuss the question with the questioner at another time

What type of verbal style is most effective for presentations?

oral speaking

Which phrase best describes an extemporaneous presentation?

planned and rehearsed but not word for word

A speaker who makes frequent eye contact with the audience will seem more ______.

sincere A speaker who talks directly to an audience will be seen as more involved and sincere.

In order to improve and to overcome nervousness, a beginning speaker should ______.

speak more frequently

An effective way to begin a presentation is to ______.

stand and pause for a moment to get set before speaking

When faced with a hostile questioner, a speaker can win audience support by ______.

taking the question seriously A speaker should answer the question and treat the questioner with respect.

A speaker who gives a memorized presentation spends too much energy focusing on ______.

the material that comes next

Studies have found that when audiences notice a speaker's nervousness, ______.

the speaker's effectiveness is not adversely affected Studies have found the audiences are not bothered by a speaker's anxiety.

To calm their nerves, speakers can tell themselves that ______.

their anxiety will decrease once they start the speech

To put life back into a delivery, a speaker should ______.

think about why the presentation is important just before beginning

Why should speakers imagine themselves in the listeners' position?

to anticipate questions listeners are likely to ask