Principle of Public Speaking CLEP

Which of the following explains how oral style differs from written style? a. More formality b. More repetition c. Longer quotations d. Longer sentences

b. More repetition Redundancy occurs in speeches to help listeners remember major points. Repeating important concepts ensures that the audience will comprehend the information presented.

Which of the following introductory methods would be appropriate for an audience that is distracted or disinterested? a. Making a startling statement b. Asking a rhetorical question c. Using a famous quotation d. Referring to the subject

A. An apathetic audience may become active listeners if the introduction includes a surprising statement. The shock of the statement may cause listeners to focus on the speaker.

An informative speech that presents detailed information and research about a complex topic is referred to as which of the following? a. Expository speech b. Persuasive speech c. Narrative speech d. Process speech

A. An expository speech is a type of informative speech that requires the speaker to perform detailed research on a topic. Expository speeches typically require organizational patterns that aid audience comprehension.

A speech that involves background preparation, idea organization, brief notes, and a conversational delivery would be described as which of the following? a. Extemporaneous b. Memorized c. Manuscript d. Impromptu

A. An extemporaneous speech involves preparation, organization, and notes. Delivery is conversational and flexible and gives the appearance of being effortless.

Communication that uses more words than necessary to express an idea is referred to as which of the following? a. Clutter b. Economy c. Alliteration d. Parallelism

A. Clutter refers to unnecessarily wordy speech. It is especially important in speeches to speak clearly and simply in order to avoid confusing or boring the audience.

A skeptical audience is more likely to be persuaded by which of the following? a. Documented information from several, objective sources b. Established statistics that are common knowledge c. Testimonies from both parties in an argument d. Written documentation from a single source

A. Evidence is viewed as credible if it is documented and objective. Skeptical audiences are more likely to change their minds if evidence is provided from multiple sources instead of only one.

Applause, laughter, nodding heads, and quizzical looks are examples of which of the following? a. Feedback b. Interference c. Attending d. Channels

A. Feedback is the verbal and non-verbal messages conveyed from a listener to a speaker. Applause, boos, laughter, and shuffling feet are examples of audience feedback.

When a speaker uses "he" in reference to both men and women, the speaker is using which of the following? a. Generic language b. Nonparallel language c. Inclusive language d. Formal language

A. Generic language is the use of the word "he" to mean men and women. Listeners may take offense to the perceived assumptions made by a speaker who uses generic terms.

A speaker who asks audience members to cover their ears during part of a presentation about deafness is using which of the following methods to gain audience attention? a. Inviting audience participation b. Imagining a situation c. Arousing audience suspense d. Telling a story

A. Inviting audience members to participate in a speech grabs their attention. An activity such as blocking out sound creates interest in the topic of deafness.

Which two characteristics best describe modern audiences? a. Unique and diverse b. Intelligent and skeptical c. Diverse and intelligent d. Sensitive and unique

A. People's attitudes, beliefs, and experiences are constantly evolving, so audiences are unique. Even audiences consisting of people in the same age group will be diverse because of variables such as race, gender, culture, and religion.

Analyzing an audience based on beliefs, attitudes, and values is referred to as which of the following? a. Psychological profiling b. Demographic segmenting c. Psychological stereotyping d. Sociological surveying

A. Psychological profiling is the term used for analyzing an audience based on beliefs, attitudes, and values. A speaker can tailor an effective message to an audience by understanding their pre-existing thoughts and attitudes about a subject.

What is the primary difference between evaluating speeches given in a speech course and evaluating speeches given in a professional situation? a. Setting b. Transitions c. Organization d. Vocal characteristics

A. Setting is the main difference between classroom speeches and professional speeches. Although the delivery style of a business speech will most likely be different from one used in a classroom, transitions, vocal characteristics, and organizational structures are used in business speeches.

Which of the following is considered the key characteristic of the most effective and successful public speakers? a. Conversational quality b. Prepared note cards c. Personal appearance d. Descriptive gesturing

A. The ability to sound conversational during a public speech separates effective speakers from ineffective speakers. For example, former President Bill Clinton sounds like he is talking with audience members rather than to audience members during public speeches.

Once a speech topic has been chosen, which of the following needs to be determined next? a. General purpose b. Audience relevance c. Specific purpose d. Central idea

A. The general purpose of a speech is the overall goal. After choosing a topic, a speaker needs to decide whether the general purpose is to inform or to persuade.

Which of the following types of speech arrangements would be most appropriate for topics such as "the evolution of the modern automobile" or "the steps toward home ownership"? a. Temporal b. Spatial c. Topical d. Inquiry

A. The temporal pattern, which is also known as chronological, calls for organizing material from past to present or from the future to the past. Temporal is typically used for historical topics or for informative speeches where the order of events is important.

A speech topic is most appropriate if the speaker has which of the following? a. Specific tasks for listeners b. Subject matter competence c. Organized notes and outlines d. Extensive graphics and displays

B. A speech topic is appropriate for a speaker if the speaker is knowledgeable about the subject or is willing to learn about the subject. The speaker should know more about the topic than the audience and should be a subject matter expert.

According to studies, which of the following elements of a speech has the greatest emotional impact on listeners? a. Organizational patterns b. Facial expressions c. Vocal elements d. Words

B. According to a study by Albert Mehrabian, facial expression has the greatest emotional impact of a speech. A speaker's facial expressions provide signals to listeners about the speaker's attitude.

According to the principle of division, how many sub-points should a main point on an outline have if it is to be divided? a. At least one b. At least two c. At least three d. At least four

B. According to the principle of division, if a main point is to be divided, it should have at least two points. Each point on an outline should be similar in importance.

According to Aristotle, the impression a speaker makes through his or her communication skills is referred to as which of the following? a. Logos b. Ethos c. Bathos d. Pathos

B. Ethos is the image that a listener has about a speaker. Aristotle believed ethos was the most powerful element of persuasion, and modern research supports his theory.

Audience adaptation cannot occur during a speech without which of the following? a. Fluency b. Eye contact c. Transposition d. Vocal variation

B. Eye contact is required for a speaker to make audience adaptations. By keeping an eye on the audience, a speaker can detect their comprehension and attitude.

Which of the following often helps speakers relieve excess energy and apprehension during a speech? a. Practicing and preparing in advance b. Making appropriate gestures and bodily movements c. Taking slow, deep breaths before speaking d. Making eye contact with friends in the audience

B. Making appropriate gestures and movements during a speech can greatly reduce a speaker's excess energy. Making gestures or walking around can be effective communication tools if they are purposeful.

In an audience analysis questionnaire, which type of question allows respondents to answer however they want? a. Fixed-alternative b. Open-ended c. Adaptive d. Scale

B. Open-ended questions on an audience survey invite more detailed answers from participants, although sometimes answers may not provide the desired information. Fixed-alternative questions offer a fixed choice between two or more answers, while scale questions require a rating.

Taking ideas or phrases from two or three sources and presenting the combined material as one's own is referred to as which of the following? a. Global plagiarism b. Patchwork plagiarism c. Self-plagiarism d. Incremental plagiarism

B. Patchwork plagiarism occurs when a speaker steals from two or three sources to create one new speech that is presented as original work. Global plagiarism refers to stealing from one source, while incremental plagiarism occurs when quotes or paraphrases are not credited. Self-plagiarism is when an author reuses portions of his or her work without acknowledging the original publication.

Competence, character, sociability, composure, and extroversion are aspects of which of the following? a. Speech effectiveness b. Source credibility c. Communication skills d. Persuasive ability

B. Source credibility is an element of intrinsic proof. It relates to the likelihood of a target audience believing the source of a message.

Information gathered through research that reinforces points in a speech is referred to as which of the following? a. Hypothetical examples b. Supporting materials c. Speaker credibility d. Personal proof

B. Supporting materials consist of the information that a speaker uses to back up the arguments presented in a speech. Supporting materials may include examples, statistics, tests, and illustrations.

Criticism of a speech should be based on which of the following? a. Personal preferences b. Accepted standards c. Persuasive appeals d. Classical theories

B. The basis of any type of criticism should be accepted standards. All effective speeches should include certain aspects related to organization, style, delivery, and ethics.

What are the three primary purposes of most speeches? a. Persuade, entertain, or evaluate b. Inform, persuade, or entertain c. Entertain, report, or inform d. Inform, assess, or persuade

B. The general purpose of most public speeches is to inform, to persuade, or to entertain listeners. An informative speech attempts to develop understanding, a persuasive speech attempts to influence, and an entertaining speech seeks to amuse people.

Which two factors are the most important when determining the outcome of a speech? a. Credibility and ethics b. Speaker and audience c. Attitudes and expectations d. Preparation and presentation

B. The speaker and the audience determine the success or failure of a speech because the two must work together for effective communication to occur. An effective speaker is aware of the audience and adapts the message accordingly.

In his inaugural address, John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." This statement is an example of which of the following? a. Metaphor b. Antithesis c. Simile d. Alliteration

B. The statement is an example of antithesis. Antithesis is a rhetorical contrast of ideas through parallelism.

Which of the following elements from the Toulmin model refers to the reasoning process that is either verbalized or implied during an argument? a. Claim b. Warrant c. Evidence d. Reservation

B. The warrant is the logical statement that links the evidence with the claim. The warrant is the reason that the claim is considered credible.

Which of the following is NOT a typical method of generating speech topics? a. Personal inventory b. Internet search c. Venn diagram d. Clustering

C. A Venn diagram is used to compare and contrast two ideas and is not a typical method for brainstorming speech topics. Making an inventory of personal experiences and skills either with a list or by clustering ideas often generates topics, as does an Internet search.

Which of the following is an advantage of limiting a speech topic? a. Allow time to practice the presentation b. Focus on audience analysis c. Analyze a subject in depth d. Develop sound arguments

C. A narrow topic enables a speaker to go into depth on a topic. With a topic that is too broad, a speaker may rush through numerous points in a superficial manner to complete the speech in a timely manner.

If a brief example will not clearly explain a point for audience members, then it should be expanded into which of the following? a. Statistics b. Testimony c. Illustration d. Evidence

C. An illustration is an expanded and detailed example. An illustration describes a condition or a circumstance and makes an abstract idea easier to understand.

How can a speech student benefit from criticizing the speeches of others? a. Select clear academic goals b. Improve empathic listening skills c. Improve ability to evaluate own speeches d. Learn to avoid including fallacies in own speeches

C. By criticizing the speeches of others, a speech student can learn how to self-evaluate. Criticizing a speech requires a student to listen closely and analyze a speech's arguments, organizational structure, and delivery.

Which of the following is considered a high-context culture? a. Norway b. Germany c. South Korea d. United States

C. Communication in high-context cultures, such as Korea, Latin America, and Japan, is based on context and the speaker rather than the spoken word. When giving a speech in a high-context culture, the speaker should provide supporting materials but allow listeners to make their own inferences to avoid offending them.

A speaker who considers a public speech an opportunity to talk to a group about an important topic is using which of the following to reduce speech apprehension? a. Performance orientation b. Systematic desensitization c. Communication orientation d. Visualization

C. Communication orientation is a method of reducing public speaking apprehension that involves viewing a speech as merely a chance to talk to people. The speaker focuses on conveying a message rather than worrying about audience reactions.

How does the inclusion of connectives benefit a speech? a. Adds support to weak arguments b. Develops content and substance c. Increases unity and coherence d. Determines organizational pattern

C. Connectives, such as transitions and signposts, improve the coherence and unity of a speech. Connectives help listeners follow the speech and understand the message.

The dictionary definition of a word is referred to as which of the following? a. Connotative meaning b. Abstract meaning c. Denotative meaning d. Concrete meaning

C. Denotative meaning refers to a word's literal meaning. It is the actual definition of the word.

In order for a testimony to be persuasive, it should have which of the following characteristics? a. Biased and historical b. Recent and interesting c. Unbiased and current d. Factual and meaningful

C. Expert testimony is effective if it is unbiased and up-to-date. Testimony from a biased individual will have little effect or a negative effect on the persuasive nature of the speech.

Speeches presented at formal occasions should be characterized by which of the following? a. No figurative language b. Brief sentences c. Subtle humor d. Lively tone

C. Formal occasions call for subtle humor rather than obvious jokes. Speeches given at formal occasions, such as ceremonies, should rely on structured, researched writing.

Which of the following techniques can improve listening skills? a. Sit in a comfortable and relaxed position b. Write down questions to ask the speaker c. Make eye contact with the speaker d. Copy information from visual aids

C. Making eye contact with a speaker improves listening skills and comprehension. Looking at a speaker helps a listener stay focused on the message and reduces distractions.

The use of language to defame, demean, or degrade people is referred to as which of the following? a. Political correctness b. Telling half-truths c. Name-calling d. Plagiarism

C. Name-calling is the term that refers to speakers who use language to put down individuals or groups. Name-calling involves using terms to debase people for their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnic background.

Which of the following is a common mistake made in speech conclusions? a. Thanking the audience b. Summarizing main points c. Introducing new ideas d. Asking listeners to take action

C. New ideas or information should not be introduced at the end of a speech. The conclusion should reinforce or restate previously discussed information.

The tendency to attribute a complex event to a single cause often occurs with which of the following? a. Causal order b. Either-or fallacy c. Causal reasoning d. Analogical reasoning

C. People tend to assume that an event has one cause when there are usually multiple causes. For example, the election of a president may be caused by economic conditions, world affairs, and media exposure.

Questions prepared in advance of an interview are referred to as which of the following? a. Follow-up b. Neutral c. Primary d. Closed

C. Primary questions are the main questions that an interviewer plans to ask. Although primary questions may be open, closed, or neutral, they are always written before conducting the interview.

Which of the following patterns of organization begins with minor points, uses the strongest points in the middle, and ends with the weakest points? a. Comparison-contrast structure b. Anticlimactic structure c. Pyramidal structure d. Climactic structure

C. Pyramidal structure organizes a speech like a pyramid with weak points at the beginning and end and strong points in the middle. This type of structure is rarely used and is typically only appropriate for a hostile audience.

Opinions that support claims presented by a speaker are referred to as which of the following? a. Persuasive evidence b. Statistical segments c. Testimonial evidence d. Specific instances

C. Testimonial evidence consists of opinions of the speaker or of an expert that support the claims presented in a speech. Although testimonies can be used in informative speeches, they are more critical in persuasive speeches.

When evaluating the content of a speech, which of the following should be considered? a. Appropriateness of language b. Clarity of goal and main points c. Appropriateness of visual aids d. Fluent and enthusiastic delivery

C. The appropriate use and inclusion of visual aids is a consideration when evaluating speech content. Visual aids should provide useful information about a subject and improve the effectiveness of a speech.

The idea that listeners search for information that supports their own opinions and values is referred to as which of the following? a. Cognitive bias b. Declarative memory c. Selective exposure d. Emotional appeal

C. The principle of selective exposure suggests that people seek out information that supports their values and behaviors. The principle also suggests that listeners avoid information that contradicts their belief systems.

While listening to an oral presentation, a speech critic should do which of the following? a. Observe the feedback provided by listeners b. Assess the persuasive nature of the speaker c. Evaluate the relevancy of supporting materials d. Consider the speaker's personality and background

C. The relevancy of supporting materials is an important element to consider when providing a speech evaluation. An evaluator should assess whether the facts, stories, and illustrations are useful in the speech.

In an informative speech, which of the following states what the speaker hopes the audience will learn? a. Specific purpose b. General purpose c. Thesis d. Topic

C. The thesis of a speech is the central idea that a speaker wants an audience to retain. With an informative speech, it is what the audience should learn; with a persuasive speech, it is what the audience should believe.

Assessing the age, gender, religion, and cultural background of audience members before selecting a speech topic is referred to as which of the following? a. Situational audience analysis b. Demographic audience adaptation c. Psychological audience adaptation d. Demographic audience analysis

D. A demographic audience analysis involves reviewing the demographic profile of audience members based on factors such as age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. Speakers analyze demographic information in order to understand the attitude and knowledge of audience members.

Which of the following would be the best source for finding the state tree of Delaware? a. Dictionary b. Yearbook c. World atlas d. Gazetteer

D. A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary formatted like a regular dictionary. Information in a gazetteer relates to geographical topics, and brief facts about nearly 50,000 places in the world are included in the reference work.

Which of the following terms describes the act of mistaking one word for another? a. Mannerism b. Alliteration c. Hyperbole d. Malapropism

D. A malapropism occurs when a speaker mistakes one word for another. For example, saying "obstacle" instead of "spectacle" is a malapropism.

Which of the following would be suitable for a politician who wants to rally supporters with a speech? a. Familiar, abstract words b. Words with strong, denotative meanings c. Vivid, concrete words d. Words with strong, connotative meanings

D. A politician trying to encourage supporters will use words with strong, connotative meanings. Connotative words are those that trigger emotions.

Which of the following indexes Web pages and scans them to find a requested topic? a. General database b. Bookmark c. URL d. Search engine

D. A search engine indexes Web pages and checks them for Web sites that match the requested topic. Google, Yahoo, and Alta Vista are major search engines.

Assuming that a speaker will be dull before listening to the speech is an example of which of the following types of barriers? a. Assimilation b. Ethnocentrism c. External perceptions d. Self-fulfilling prophecy

D. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a preset idea that can be a barrier to effective listening. An audience member who assumes a speaker is dull will probably find the speech boring.

A speech outline should indicate the most important and the least important information according to which of the following principles? a. Division b. Parallelism c. Organization d. Subordination

D. A speech outline that follows the principle of subordination will make the information's order of importance clear. Main points are indicated by Roman numerals, while sub-points are indicated with capital letters.

Which of the following is most important for a speaker to do when addressing a knowledgeable audience? a. Utilize specialized terms and language in the speech b. Request the audience's assistance during the speech c. Review terminology that applies to the subject matter d. Emphasize that the subject matter will be new and useful

D. An audience that is familiar with the subject matter may assume that they will be listening to redundant information. A speaker should inform the audience that the information will be new, relevant, and useful and that the speech will not waste their time.

The amount of anxiety a person feels before giving a speech is referred to as which of the following? a. Context-based apprehension b. Adaptation reaction c. Traitlike apprehension d. Anticipation reaction

D. Anticipation reaction is the nervousness a person feels prior to giving a speech. Anticipation reaction may occur while preparing a speech and when waiting to speak.

The amount of anxiety a person feels before giving a speech is referred to as which of the following? a. Context-based apprehension b. Adaptation reaction c. Traitlike apprehension d. Anticipation reaction

D. Anticipation reaction is the nervousness a person feels prior to giving a speech. Anticipation reaction may occur while preparing a speech and when waiting to speak.

The process of evaluating a speech based on its value, credibility, and thoroughness is referred to as which of the following? a. Initial audience attitude b. Expert opinion method c. Criteria satisfaction d. Critical analysis

D. Critical analysis occurs when the effectiveness of a speech is examined. A listener considers speaker credibility, information quality, organizational logic, and emotional message.

A speech that is delivered with sincerity and conviction uses which of the following as a method of persuasion? a. Credibility b. Ethical appeal c. Logical appeal d. Emotional appeal

D. Effective speakers deliver speeches with sincerity and conviction and appeal to audiences with their emotions. A well-written speech with numerous emotional words and examples will fail if the speaker does not speak with sincerity.

Which of the following modes of speech delivery occurs when a speakers uses an outline or brief notes? a. Impromptu b. Manuscript c. Memorized d. Extemporaneous

D. Extemporaneous speaking occurs when a speaker uses notes or an outline when delivering a speech. Extemporaneous speaking is the mode most commonly taught in speech classes.

How are facts and figures most often used in persuasive speeches? a. To illustrate a sub-topic b. To summarize the main point c. To help explain a confusing point d. To provide a basis for an argument

D. Facts and figures are typically used early in a persuasive speech because they serve as the foundation of the argument. In informative speeches, data often illustrate points later in the speech.

Which of the following patterns of organization begins with information that is known to the audience and then progresses into information that is new and challenging? a. Question-answer b. Claim-and-proof c. Problem-solution d. Familiarity-acceptance

D. Familiarity-acceptance begins with familiar information and moves into unfamiliar information. The pattern is useful with persuasive speeches given to skeptical audiences; the speaker begins with ideas that are agreeable to everyone and then moves towards new concepts.

Which of the following is a typical error that occurs when reasoning from specific instances? a. False cause b. Red herring c. Invalid analogy d. Hasty generalization

D. Hasty generalizations often occur when using reasoning from specific instances. The sample of specific instances should be large enough to justify the conclusion.

Which of the following can be integrated into a speech to keep an audience attentive? a. Slang b. Concrete words c. Abstract words d. Imagery

D. Imagery helps listeners stay attentive. Boring, predictable language can cause listeners to lose interest, but imagery can energize a speech.

Which of the following is most important to consider when evaluating a speech based on artistic standards? a. Truth and ethics b. Motives and ideas c. Goals and results d. Language and structure

D. Language, structure, and delivery should be considered when evaluating a speech based on artistic standards. Evidence, reasoning, and organization of the speech also relate to the artistic standard.

Which of the following refers to main points of a speech outline being worded in a similar structural pattern? a. Topical b. Sequential c. Congruent d. Parallel

D. Parallel structure refers to statements being worded in a similar style. Parallel structure enables listeners to recognize that a main point is being made.

With which of the following communication activities do people spend the most time? a. Writing b. Reading c. Speaking d. Listening

D. People spend more time listening than any other communication activity. Listening is an active and vital part of daily life.

Which of the following terms refers to the accepted manner of forming and accenting syllables in a word? a. Dialect b. Inflection c. Articulation d. Pronunciation

D. Pronunciation is the accepted standard for the sound and accent of words. Practicing speeches in front of people ensures that words are pronounced correctly.

Which best describes the following statement: "Since 1999, enrollment in trade schools has increased by 10% every three years"? a. Magnitude b. Contrast c. Segment d. Trend

D. Statistics that illustrate direction over time are referred to as trends. Trends can be beneficial in a persuasive speech when a speaker needs to provide support for an argument.

Which of the following demographic elements is most important for a speaker to consider when deciding what kind of supporting material to provide and what terms and language to use? a. Age b. Gender c. Culture d. Education

D. The education level of an audience determines the language to use, the type of supporting material to provide, and the way the speech is organized. For example, an audience educated in the subject will understand technical language and detailed supporting material, while a less educated audience may not.

What term is used for reminding an audience about the thesis during the conclusion of a speech? a. Forecasting b. Appeal to action c. Forewarning function d. Instant-replay function

D. The instant-replay function serves to remind listeners of the main points of a speech. The instant-replay function could take the form of a summary or a catchy statement that highlights the thesis of the speech.

Which of the following is the primary purpose of an introduction to a speech? a. Acknowledge similarities with the audience b. Summarize the importance of the topic c. Explain the main points of the speech d. Gain the attention of the audience

D. The introduction of a speech should grab the attention of the audience. Attention can be gained by asking a question, telling a story, or providing interesting statistics.

Which of the following is considered an advantage of memorizing a speech? a. Decreased problems related to voice and rate b. Increased ability to adapt to audience feedback c. Decreased fear and apprehension about audience d. Increased freedom for gestures and bodily movements

D. The memorized mode of speech delivery allows for greater bodily freedom and flexibility. Since the speaker requires no notes, the speaker is able to walk around the stage and make hand gestures.

The location and occasion of a speech refers to which of the following terms? a. Thesis b. Purpose c. Credibility d. Setting

D. The setting of a speech refers to its location and occasion. Before selecting a topic, a speaker should consider where the speech will occur and what the reason is for giving the speech.

Which of the following methods involves asking yourself a series of general and subject-specific questions in order to generate speech topics? a. Dictionary of topics b. Search directory c. Tree diagram d. Topoi

D. Topoi, or the system of topics, is based on a rhetoric technique used in ancient Greece and Rome. General questions and questions specific to a subject are asked in order to generate speech topic ideas.

Which of the following appeals attempts to rise above a conflict in order to find similarities that will bring about unity? a. Dramatic example b. Conviction c. Idealism d. Transcendence

D. Transcendence is a positive emotional appeal that attempts to transcend people's differences to find unifying similarities between them. A speaker using transcendence would choose a perspective that is above a conflict in an attempt to find unity.

Periodical database

If a student needs an article about diabetes that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which of the following would be the best tool to use?

Periodical database

Libraries have what that catalogue articles from journals and magazines.

Rate

The speed at which a speech is delivered is referred to as _________. And should be adjusted based on the occasion, the audience, the content, and the speaker's comfort