Public Speaking Final Short Answers

Generate a definition and purpose for each type of special occasion speech

1. Speech of Introduction: This type of speech introduces the main speaker at an event and inspires the audience to listen to that speaker. The person who is "introducing" the speaker in, has to give enough information so that the audience understands who will be talking to them. These types of speeches can be said at ceremonies or at presentations. 2. Toast and Roast: A toast is a brief tribute to a person or even. While a roast is a particular kind of toast that is humorous and pokes fun at the honored person in a friendly way. The purpose for a toast is to acknowledge a person's accomplishments and express best wishes for the future. The purpose for a roast is also to honor an individual who is able to take a joke and show good humor when receiving humorous criticism. 3. Speech to Present an Award: This speech is where a speaker presents a person with an award or prize. The primary purpose of this speech is to give recognition to the recipient and his or her accomplishments pertaining to that specific award. 4. Acceptance Speech: The presentation of an award is usually followed by an acceptance speech, which the recipient delivers upon immediate receipt of the award. This speech gives the recipient an opportunity to show appreciation for the award as well as humility and grace. 5. Keynote Address: The keynote address is a speech that represents the essential or common theme of a convention, conference, or other large gathering. Most conferences, expositions, or conventions are usually organized around a central idea, and the keynote address is what summarizes the central message revolving around the general theme. 6. Commencement Speech: Is a type of keynote speech given to mark the occasion of a school's graduation ceremony during which diplomas are awarded to graduating students. The purpose of commencement speeches is to draw attention to certain social or political issues, lay out paths the audience can take beyond their educational years, and touch on aspects that contribute to a good life. 7. Commemorative Speeches and Tributes: These are speeches that pay special accolades to an occasion, extraordinary person, event, idea, or monument. The purpose or scope of this speech is to reflect the emotions felt by the audience as well as underscore the reasons for the speaking event. 8. After-Dinner Speech: The after-dinner speech is a unique kind of special occasion speech. An after-dinner speech has as its general purpose to entertain, and yet informs an audience about one or more particular issues.

Name and give an example of each of the three A's of active listening

Attention - Hoppe suggests listeners prepare themselves for active attention by creating a listening reminder. This could be by writing "Listen" at the top of a page in front of you in a meeting. Attitude - Approaching the task of listening with a positive attitude will make the act of listening much easier. If you go into a classroom with the mindset that this is all a waste of time, it is not going to help you listen effectively. Bad listeners make snap judgments that justify the decisions to be inattentive. Adjustment - Most times people do not know what a speaker will be saying beforehand so we need to flexible and willing to follow a speaker. For example, when the head of school calls for an assembly in the gym, all students should adjust to what he/she is saying.

What should be the main purpose of humor in a special occasion speech? What steps can you take to use humor effectively?

Humor is more than just telling jokes—it is really about supplementing your message as well as really driving your point home, so to speak. Humor can be appealing to both speaker and audience because it creates a sense of immediacy and psychological closeness. It also facilitates a common bond between speaker and audience, which helps the audience identify even more with the topic and content of the speech. When learning to use humor, speakers should understand the importance of nonverbal delivery. Do not give off the impression that you expect laughter or smiling in response to any particular remark. Nonverbal delivery also involves a sense of comic timing, in other words, try not to show a difference in tone between the funny and not so funny segments of your speech. Lastly, it is important in verbal humor to include language that points out ironies and contradictory situations in life. Such as using puns, hyperboles, anecdotes, and others that can tell a story or use language to convey humor images.

What three aspects of vocal delivery do you believe are most important to a speaker's credibility? Explain.

I believe that the three most important aspects of vocal delivery are articulation, vocal quality, and rate of speaking. These three aspects help the speaker to deliver their speech efficiently and well-spoken. Articulation determines how well a speaker forms their words, and once that is established the speaker is able to perfect their vocal quality. Lastly, it is very important for every speaker to have a good rate of speaking so that the audience is able to follow their tempo.

What are strategies that help hold your listeners' attention during your speech?

Listeners need to be able to grasp your message in the amount of time it takes you to speak the words. To help them accomplish this, you need to give listeners a clear idea of your overarching aim, reasons to care, and cues about what is important. You need to inspire them to not just hear but engage in what you are saying. In order to make your listeners care you need to establish a reason for your listeners to care about what you are saying. You need to tap their intrinsic motivation, by appealing to curiosity, challenging them, or providing contextualization. Next, using active voice and employing repetition of a word or words can create a rhythm fo the listener's ears. Volume and pace are other important tools that keep listeners engaged and the opportunity to think about what you said. Lastly, connecting with your audience through common things and talking with them in a more laid back manner can bring comfort to your audience. Listeners respond to someone talking to them calmly and confidently.

You have been invited to speak to administrators about increasing alumni support for the school. What steps will you take to build your ethos for this audience? What logical appeals will you make? How will you appeal to their emotions?

My first step would be figuring out what the best way is to communicate to them. Whether that be through social media, email, or regular mail. After I figured that out, I would then introduce myself to them. Explaining the type of person I am and what my goals are for the future of the alumni committee. I would set up events or video meetings that demonstrated what the school is doing now and why we need their support. It is important to be open to everyone's opinion and beliefs towards their opinions of the school and the plan to move forward. Therefore, at our meetings, I would tell them that their opinion matters and that we are here today to fix problems that some of them may have had at the school and create a better environment for all of us.

What are the ways that visual aids can benefit a presentation? Harm a presentation?

Visual aids can be an important part of conveying your message effectively since people learn far more by hearing and seeing than through hearing or seeing alone. However, it is important to keep your visual aid relevant to what it is you are talking about. As a presenter, you should always ask yourself this before including a visual aid in your presentation. Does this make the message clearer or more memorable? If you cannot answer with a resounding "YES!" then re-think the plan for your visuals and begin again.

Other than slides, list three types of visual aids that can be used in a presentation and give an example of each.

Visuals can spark interest, build emotional connections, clarify your words, explain abstract ideas, help draw conclusions, or increase understanding. One type of visual aid is when a speaker chooses to dress up as part of their presentation. For example, a speaker may opt for a firefighter's uniform in a speech about joining the local volunteer fire department. The speaker's physical appearance helps set the tone of the speech or reinforce a specific point. Another type of visual aid is objects and props such as a bicycle helmet for a speech on bike safety or an actual sample of the product you are trying to sell. The third type of visual aid is audio and video. For example, if your speech is about child development and you found a short video about it, then you should include it in your speech. However, it is important that you have your video ready in the specific format that your computer supports.