Chapter 11: Public Speaking Preparation

Which of the following statements concerning communication apprehension is true? a) Gaining experience helps to reduce communication apprehension. b) Public speaking is the rarest of communication apprehensions. c) The less you prepare, the less apprehension you will experience. d) Setting unrealistic expectations eases communication apprehension.

a) Gaining experience helps to reduce communication apprehension.

The __________ pattern is often useful in informative speeches in which you want to analyze two different theories, proposals, departments, or products in terms of their similarities and differences. a) comparison-and-contrast b) spatial c) temporal d) topical

a) comparison-and-contrast

When citing references in an oral presentation, you should __________. a) err on the side of citing too much information about a source than too little b) preface citations by saying, "I have a quote here" c) not mention the actual author but be sure to mention the publication date d) not mention citations in the actual speech but rather only in a detailed reference list

a) err on the side of citing too much information about a source than too little

In researching a topic for a speech, the best way to begin your search is generally by __________. a) examining what you already know b) Googling the topic c) finding a very specific research article on the topic d) buying a book that might prove useful

a) examining what you already know

In considering how knowledgeable your audience is about your topic, you should __________. a) not confuse lack of knowledge with lack of intelligence. b) assume that they are intelligent and make your speech more technical. c) downplay your expertise. d) repeat what they already know.

a) not confuse lack of knowledge with lack of intelligence.

The best organizational pattern for a presentation on the geographic weather patterns of the United States would be __________. a) spatial b) topical c) problem-solution d) temporal

a) spatial

The thesis is ________. a) the main idea that you want to convey to your audience. b) a statement concluding the speech. c) formulated in the middle of the speech. d) a statement that supports a major point.

a) the main idea that you want to convey to your audience.

The first step in preparing an effective public presentation is __________. a) select a topic, purposes, and thesis. b) analyze your audience. c) develop your specific purpose. d) write your introduction.

A) select a topic, purposes, and thesis.

Which of the following activities will help you develop the main points for your speech? A) Separate points that have a common focus. B) Select points that are most relevant to your audience. C) Use five or more main points. D) Phrase each point in a different style.

B) Select points that are most relevant to your audience.

Morgan is going to give a presentation on how to prepare a tax return. Which of the following would constitute a suitable thesis statement for Morgan's presentation? a) "To inform the audience about how to prepare a tax return." b) "Preparing a tax return is a fairly simple process if you know what documents you need." c) "I want to convince my audience that they can prepare their own tax returns." d) "After listening to my speech, you will want to hire me to prepare your tax returns."

b) "Preparing a tax return is a fairly simple process if you know what documents you need."

Which of the following is a suggestion in the text for managing public speaking anxiety? a) Focus your attention on your performance, not on your listeners. b) Project confidence by standing tall and maintaining eye contact. c) View public speaking as a performance, not a conversation. d) Use chemicals as tension relievers.

b) Project confidence by standing tall and maintaining eye contact.

Charlotte notices that her audience is starting to fidget and a few have begun putting away their materials. Charlotte needs to make one more crucial point before she ends her presentation. Her best course of action to adapt to her audience is to a) stop as soon as possible and forget about her last point b) acknowledge the audience's feedback and explain that she has one more important point to make that will be worth their time c) continue on as if she does not notice the audience's fidgeting d) chastise the audience for their inattention

b) acknowledge the audience's feedback and explain that she has one more important point to make that will be worth their time

if you have determined that the audience may not be willing to listen to your ideas, you are well advised to a) include as many strong issues as you can b) secure their attention early c) treat them with indifference d) use as many statistics as possible

b) secure their attention early

The __________ pattern of organization is useful in informative speeches in which you want to discuss how something is constructed and what it does. a) spatial b) structure-function c) problem-solution d) temporal

b) structure-function

analyzing the sociology of your audience includes considering a) how willing they are to change b) their religion c) the knowledge of the audience d) the experience of the audience

b) their religion

Manuel plans to give a speech on how to cast a fly-fishing rod. What is the specific purpose of Manuel's speech? a) to inform b) to teach the audience how to cast a rod c) to persuade d) to persuade the audience to purchase a fly-fishing rod

b) to teach the audience how to cast a rod

When speaking about the various majors available at her university, Mary divided her presentation by colleges: Majors in Engineering, Majors in Arts and Sciences, and Majors in Education. Mary's organizational pattern is ________. a) spatial b) topical c) problem-solution d) temporal

b) topical

Which of the following statements concerning appropriateness of topic selection is true? a) Avoid topics on which you and your audience may disagree. b) Topics related to religion, politics, and education are usually appropriate for classroom speeches. c) If you are speaking to a culturally diverse audience, check to see what topics may be taboo for certain members. d) Select a topic you know little about so you can learn something new along with your audience.

c) If you are speaking to a culturally diverse audience, check to see what topics may be taboo for certain members.

Which of the following sources will enable you to secure the most reliable and valid research available? a) news sources b) biographical material c) academic research articles d) personal illustrations

c) academic research articles

Millie has decided to speak on antiques for her 6 to 8 minute informative classroom speech . In helping Millie make her topic manageable, what would be the best advice to give her a) the topic is narrow enough so there is no need to limit it b) try to cover the topic broadly and mention as much as you can in the time you have c) it might be best to start dividing and subdividing your topic until you have something more specific than "antiques" d) ask the instructor to allow you additional time since the topic is so broad

c) it might be best to start dividing and subdividing your topic until you have something more specific than "antiques"

Marcus plans to give a speech to convince his audience to vote in the upcoming campus elections. What is the general purpose of Marcus's speech? a) to inform b) to inform his audience of the upcoming elections c) to persuade d) to persuade his audience to vote in the upcoming elections

c) to persuade

Once the thesis is formulated, questions about the thesis help to generate __________. a) your supporting material b) the title of your speech c) your main points d) the cultural factors of your speech

c) your main points

How does a story about the changes in technology her grandmother has experienced in the last 50 years fit into Ellen's speech on new technology? a) It is the thesis statement. b) It is the purpose statement. c) It should be the first main point. d) It is supporting material.

d) It is supporting material.

Public speaking is defined as a(n) __________. a) form of communication in which a speaker addresses a relatively small group of people b) act of interpersonal communication c) act of intrapersonal communication d) form of communication in which a speaker addresses a relatively large audience

d) form of communication in which a speaker addresses a relatively large audience

Mitch plans to give a speech recounting the major struggles of the civil rights movement of the southern city in which he lives. The general purpose for Mitch's speech would be to a) inform his audience about the civil rights movement b) persuade his audience that the civil rights movement was important c) persuade d) inform

d) inform

The __________ pattern is sometimes called the advantages-disadvantages pattern. a) temporal b) spatial c) cause-effect d) pro-and-con

d) pro-and-con