Chapter 15

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.

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 would be an appropriate topic for an informative speech about a concept?

Mysticism

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.

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

The Grand Canyon

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.

Ana gave an informative speech to a driver's education class on how to parallel park a vehicle. Which of the following was most likely her goal?

To teach listeners to perform the process themselves

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

Topical

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

When the audience specializes in the subject

As a speaker, you must always relate the speech topic to the interests and concerns of the

audience

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

technical

To which of the following should a speaker pay special attention in a speech about a concept?

1) Defining terms clearly 2) Avoiding technical language 3) Using examples and comparisons

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?

1) Don't be too technical. 2) Don't overestimate what the audience knows.

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?

1) She tried to avoid overestimating audience knowledge. 2) She described the abstract term "empowerment." 3) She personalized her ideas.

According to the guidelines for informative speaking, the language used in an informative speech should be

1) concrete. 2) personalized. 3) creative.

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

Marco gave an informative speech on a new technique for producing prosthetic limbs using 3-D printing. To illustrate the benefits in human terms, he described a patient who was able to compete in a marathon run despite having had one leg amputated. Which of the following guidelines for effective informative speaking does this scenario illustrate?

Personalize your ideas.

Jo is giving a presentation on benefits to new employees at her company. Several times she references flexible spending accounts that employees can set up. When her speech is over, one new employee asks what Jo means by "flexible spending accounts." What guideline for effective informative speaking did Jo not follow?

Don't overestimate what the audience knows.

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

The signing of the Declaration of Independence

Donna gave a speech on her company's founder. The type of informative speech she gave was a speech about

an object.

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?

1) She was creative. 2) She avoided abstractions.

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.

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

Creativity

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 giving a speech about an object, you should

choose a specific purpose that focuses on one aspect of the object.

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