CH 6 Public Speaking Quiz

Gaining listeners' attention, providing a clear purpose statement, establishing the significance of the topic, establishing speaker credibility, and previewing main speech points are the five requirements of an effective introduction for most speeches. a. True b. False

a. True. References: The text develops each of these in detail. Exceptions include no need to address significance when it is obvious and short speeches may have no need of a preview.

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

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

"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

b. False. References: If listeners have never desired being a Rap star, then this rhetorical, not direct, question will be a flop.

"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

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

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

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

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. noting real expertise that you have on the subject of your speech d. none of the above

c. noting 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.

"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.

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).

The conclusion to a speech should a. always be about 15% of your total speech b. end with a direct question c. end abruptly for startling effect d. none of the above

d. none of the above. References: Conclusions are typically a mere 5-10% of the total speech. Ending with a direct question would be awkward at best—the audience would answer, and then what? You just sit down? Ending abruptly can be jarring and leave listeners unsatisfied.