Chapter 8

Example

a specific case used to illustrate or represent a group of people, ideas, conditions, experiences, or the like

median

the middle number in a group of numbers arranged from highest to lowest

mode

the number that occurs most often in a group of numbers

paraphrase

to restate or summarize a source's ideas in one's own words

peer testimony

testimony from ordinary people with firsthand experience or insight on a topic

expert testimony

testimony from people who are recognized experts in their fields

direct quotation

testimony that is presented word for word

Acceptable testimony can include either statements from recognized experts or from ordinary people with special expertise on the topic. True or False

True

Supporting materials

The materials used to support a speaker's ideas. The three major kinds of supporting materials are examples, statistics, and testimony.

One of the main reasons to use examples in a speech is that they put abstract ideas into concrete terms that listeners can easily understand. True or False

True

The mean - popularly called the average - is determined by summing all the items in a group and dividing by the number of items. True or False

True

The median is the middle number in a group of numbers arranged from highest to lowest True or False

True

The selection and use of supporting materials for a speech involves critical thinking skills. True or False

True

Brief example

a specific case referred to in passing to illustrate a point

Extended example

a story, narrative, or anecdote developed at some length to illustrate a point

Statistics

numerical data

testimony

quotations or paraphrases used to support a point

quoting out of context

quoting a statement in such a way as to distort its meaning by removing the statement from the words and phrases surrounding it

mean

the average value of a group of numbers

As a speaker, you should usually avoid examples when explaining complex or unfimiliar ideas True or False

False

Because of their high credibility, you should use only factual examples in your speech. True or False

False

It is seldom necessary to cite the source of statistics in a speech. True or False

False

It is seldom necessary to name the people you quote or paraphrase in a speech. True or False

False

Research has shown that the more statistics you use, the more effective your speech is likely to be. True or False

False

hypothetical example

an example that describes an imaginary or fictitious situation