COMS 101 Final Questions
What are the main components of the transactional model of communication? How is this model different than the linear model?
-A communicative exchange in which all participants continuously send and receive messages. -Participants and speaker seek and create a shared meaning -Feedback- participants in a public speaking transaction can also send and receive messages in the form of verbal or non verbal responses. -Good speakers don't just try and get their point across to their audience, they strive to improve their own knowledge, seek understanding, and develop agreements when they communicate with others.
What are the parts included in a good conclusions (in order)?
-A good conclusion takes 1 minute or less -Don't introduce any new ideas in the conclusion -After presenting the final main point insert some transitional language that signals you are getting ready to wrap up your speech -Then summarize your main points -Finish with the clincher or memorial idea -Don't re state your speech in the summary -Tie your clincher to the introduction -End with a striking phrase or sentence -Highlight your thesis -Conclude with an emotional message -End with a story or anecdote
Name, explain and show how you can avoid each of the logical fallacies.
-Ad Populum (Bandwagon Fallacy) -Assume that a statement is true because a large number ofpeople say it is. ("Young people are less politically active today then they were fifty years ago." "Gun control would change the murder rate." -Many people don't have time to conduct the research needed to conclude to the statement -It's good to avoid public opinion polls to prove facts -(The tooth fairy exists because 99% of 1st graders believe it does") -Ad Hominem (Personal Attack) Fallacy- try to compensate for weak arguments by making a personal attack against an opponent rather then addressing the issue at question. -These attacks are called ad hominem attacks Often unethical
What are the guidelines for using supporting materials?
-Always choose the most credible proof -Use a variety of supporting materials -Appeal to different learning styles -Verbal -Reflective -Visual -Active -Use a combination of supporting materials throughout your speech -Avoid long lists -Consider your audience -Respect the available time
What are the steps involved in developing your informative speech?
-Analyze your audience -Select a technique or organizational pattern (definition, explanation, description, demonstration, narrative or combination) -Audience size -Common ground -Focusing on Your Goal to Inform -Focus on the rhetorical purpose-to inform- at every phase
How can you lose your credibility (and how can you avoid doing so?)?
-Anytime you say something that shows a lack of competence, trustworthiness, or goodwill you damage your credibility. -Getting your facts wrong. -Pronouncing words incorrectly. -Failing to acknowledge potential conflicts of interests. -Stretching to find a connection with the audience. -Once the credibility of the speaker has come to question, it is very difficult to repair.
Why should you outline your speech?
-Because you want to ensure your speeches are clear, well, organized and well supported! -Helps you practice -Helps you with the flow of your speech
Why should you use supporting materials in your speech?
-Building audience interest -Enhancing audience understanding -Strengthening the audience memory -Winning audience agreement -Evoking audience emotion Examples- sample or instance that supports or illustrates general claim
How can you connect your message to your listeners' values?
-By focusing on the needs that are of concern and values of audience members, your speech will most likely persuade. -What are your values? -They guide how people live. They are a central role in guiding our lives. -Values guide audience judgements and sometimes values are in conflict. -Adapting an argument to audience values is one of the most important considerations if your argument is going to be persuasive.
What are the steps involved in clarifying and simplifying your message?
-Clarity is key -Being vague or not to the point in your introduction -Move from general to specific -Reduce the quality of information you present -Make complex information seem familiar -Use presentation aids -Reiterate your message -Repeat your message
How does diversity influence public speaking?
-Considering the rage of cultures represented by audience members -Your success will increasingly depend on how well you can communicate with people from diverse backgrounds -What is your worldview? -The lens in which you see and interpret the world and reality. The worldview influences how you listen and respond to the world and people communicating around you -What is critical thinking? -How is this a part of your college experience?
What are the difference between denotative and connotative meaning? Can you give examples to demonstrate the difference?
-Denotative meaning of a word is its exact, literal dictionary definition -Connotative meaning is an association that comes to mind when people hear or read the word Example: When used as a noun in a statement about stocks, the word dog may connote a poor investment opportunity-yet the literal meaning of the noun dog is a specific type of canine.
What are the elements of credibility?
-Ethos (credibility) has a lot of persuasive power -Ethos can help audience members trust you and be persuaded -Understanding elements of credibility -Competence (practical wisdom) -Trustworthiness (Virtue) -If a speaker is competent and trustworthy, listeners will respect and believe speaker
What are the types of supporting materials?
-Examples -Brief example- short instance to illustrate your claim -Extended example- detailed example about instance being used -Definitions -Dictionary definition -Expert definitions- comes from a person who is a credible source -Etymological definition- explains the linguistic origin of the term -Functional definition- explains how something is used -Testimony- information provided by other people -Expert testimony- statements made by credible sources who have a professional or other in-depth knowledge of a topic' -Lay testimony- statements made by persons with no special expertise in the subject they are discussing -Statistics- piece of data presented in a numerical form -Limit the number of statistics you present -Use visual aids to explain statistics Establish context for listeners -Narratives- an brief story or account that can be used to support your main points -Great for capturing audience attention or for illustrating a point -Analogies- a comparison based on similarities between two phenomena, one that's familiar to the audience and one that is less familiar -Literal vs figurative
Aside from demographics, what are the other ways to analyze your audience?
-Feeling the vibe of the audience -Assessing listeners disposition and attitude toward message -1. Sympathetic Audience- already agrees with your message -2. Hostile audience- opposes your message or you personally -3. Neutral Audience- neither negative nor positive opinions about you and your message. Can be turned around! -Listeners can have a mix of all of these!
How do speakers accomplish each of these purposes?
-How can you gain the audiences attention? -Tell a story -Don't make up a story -Compelling fact or provocative statement -Use dynamic language -Build suspense -Start with a question to ponder for the audience -Let listeners know you are one of them-establishing common ground is critical -Use humor (as appropriate) high risk yet can be a high reward -Ask a rhetorical question- a question hat you want listeners to answer in their heads -Provide a quotation -Signal your thesis (specifically not vaguely) -Show your audience what's in it for them? -Establish credibility- fake it till you feel/make it -Preview your main points
What are the steps to selecting and refining the best topic?
1. Consider the assignment 2. Consider your audience 3. Consider your knowledge and interests 4. Consider the speech context 5. Choose a topic and stick with it!
What are the 3 sections of a working outline? In what order should you outline?
1. Introduction I.Attention-getter II.Thesis statement III.Relevance of topic for audience IV.Speaker's credibility V.Preview of main points 2. Body 3. Conclusion I.Summary of main points II.Clincher/finisher
What are the 4 techniques for developing a set of potential topics and how do they work?
1. Research 2. Brainstorming 3. Word Association 4. Mind Mapping
What are the types of member roles in groups?
1. Task-Orientated Roles 2. Maintenance-Orientated Roles 3. Self-Orientated Roles
What are the different kinds of reasoning that the chapter highlights? Be able to explain each of them and give an example of its use.
-Inductive reasoning- generalizing from facts, instances, or examples and then making a claim based on that generalization -Fact vs Claim- example; All the food on campus is bad. -There are 4 types of inductive reasoning: example, comparison, sign, and causal. 1. Example Reasoning- present specific instances to support a general claim. -Your EXAMPLES supply enough proof of your claim to persuade. -Provide enough examples and instance to persuade that your claim is reasonable -Representative Example- if you don't have enough time to present all examples you might use a representative example 2. Representative example- is an instance typical of the class it represents. -If you are making a case that endangered species are are making a comeback, you might cite several species that have come back form a variety of regions in North America -Think about counterexamples for this reasoning method 3. Comparison reasoning- you argue that 2 instances are similar, so that what you know is true for one instance is likely true for the other. -Long term prohibition of marijuana can't succeed because of prohibition of alcohol failed -Make sure your audience accepts the "known facts" -4. Sign Reasoning- you claim that a fact is true because indirect indicators (signs) are consistent with the fact -You might claim that college students are facing financial challenges, as evidenced by students working longer hours -Be sure to look for signs inconsistent with your argument -We all use sign reasoning all the time: Deciding whether you should take a class or not, book is sold out, wait list, students sitting on the floor- but must man it's a really good class! -Casual Reasoning- you argue that one event has caused another. -Playing video games leads children to be violent. -Using smartphones excessively, lowers intimacy in relationships -Use credible evidence to support the cause-effect link. Use quotations -It can be tricky to misinterpret the evidence or come to the wrong conclusion
Why do you conduct research for a speech?
-Learn more about your topic -Become an expert -Develop main points -Gather evidence from credible resources -Credibility- your audience will consider you qualified to speak on the topic in question -May help audience members to accept/adopt your point
What are the forms of untruthful speech?
-Lying -Half truths- speaker reveals only part of the truth and then mixes it with a lie -False Inference- when a speaker presents information that leads listeners to an incorrect conclusion -Taking evidence out of context- shares a speakers data without explaining hwo they relate to the original situation -Omission- speaker misleads the audience not by what they leave unsaid
What elements should you include on a speaking outline?
-Main points -Subpoints and sub-subpoints -Abbreviations -Evidence
What are the differences between oral and written language?
-Oral language is more adaptive -Oral language tends to be less formal -Oral language incorporates repetition
How do speakers manage speech anxiety?
-Prepare Early & Follow a Plan -Take Care of Yourself -Visualize Success -Use Relaxation Techniques -Volunteer to Speak First Never Defeat Yourself
What are the steps involved in conducting an interview?
-Prepare for your interview -Determine what you want to find out through the interviews. Who do you want to interview? -People often love to talk about themselves and be interviewed -Set up your interview with at least 2 week warning -Plan for your interview by preparing focused questions -Arrive on time -Dress for the scene -Explain the purpose of your interview -Start with a friendly easy to answer question -Take good notes -Stay focused -Maintain eye contact -Be open to new information -Listen carefully -Record the interview (if you get signed consent)
What is plagiarism? How can you be sure to avoid it?
-Quoting from the source -Paraphrasing the work of others -Common knowledge-limited times when you use information without a citation.
How can you build your credibility?
-Share qualifications to speak on the topic. -Present strong evidence from reputable sources. -Highlight common ground with audience. -Choose your words carefully. -Show respect for conflicting opinions. -Practice your speech until the delivery is fluent.
What elements should you include on a working outline?
-Start by outlining the body of your speech first-(Main points, examples, stories) -Most of the content of the speech is in the body -Use proper labeling and indentation -Use full sentences or detailed phrases -Check for subordination (main point-subpoint-sub-subpoint-sub sub sub point) -Include full information for citations, quotations and other evidence -Insert transitions -Between intro and body -When you move from one main point to the next -Between the body and conclusion
How can a persuasive speaker ensure that they are using ethical strategies?
-Support with honest- not deceptive-persuasion. -No manipulation is used. -Present solid, truthful claims that support your thesis. -Research your facts. -Note any bias. -Full disclosure- acknowledge any vested interest you may have in your topic.
What are 3 techniques one can use to gather information about an audience?
-Surveying your audience- good for 30 or less audience member 1.A fixed response question- true/false, multiple choice or select all 2.A scaled question- measures the intensity of feelings on a given issue by offering a rage of fixed responses 3.Open-ended question- write an answer describing a topic or experience
What are the types of audiovisual aids?
-The Speaker -Assistants -Objects -Visual images -Maps -Photographs and Drawings -Diagrams -Graphs -Line graph -Bar graph -Pie chart -Text-based visuals -Wordle and EZ texting -Verbal chart -Flow chart -Audio and Video
Why is it important to demonstrate how your audience benefits in a persuasive appeal?
-The audience is more likely to be persuaded if you show them quickly they will benefit from considering your stance. -Help audience members visualize themselves experiencing the benefit they'll gain if they take the action you are advocating for. -Show them how easy it is to take action. -Share how you did it and how they can.
How do you present your research in your speech?
-Thoroughly document all your sources -Present evidence in claim-source-support order -Use evidence in supporting role -Paraphrase responsibility
What are the 2 types outlines? In what situations are each appropriate?
-Working outline, when conducting research, bulk of speech -Speaking outline, when actually giving speech
Why is language and word choice important?
-Your word choice defines you as a speaker -Enhance credibility -Clarify message -Make technical topics accessible
What are the 4 characteristics of public speaking?
1. communication between a speaker and an audience 2. audience centered 3. emphasizes the spoken word 4. usually a prepared presentation
What are the guidelines for choosing respectful and unbiased language?
1.Avoid stereotypes 2.Use gender-neutral references 3.Make appropriate references to ethnic groups 4.Steer clear of unnecessary references to ethnicity, religion, gender and sexuality
What are the guidelines for preparing presentations aids?
1.Consider the forum 2.Consider your audience 1.Demographics 2.Prior exposure 3.Make sure your aids support your points 4.Keep aids simple and clear 5.Rehearse with your presentation aids
What are the 3 types of leaders?
1.Designated leader 2.Implied leader- someone with preexisting authority or skills particularly well suited to the task at hand 3.Emergent Leader- one who comes to be recognized as a leader by the groups members over time
What are the 3 approaches to ethics?
1.Freedom of expression -Right to share one's ideas and opinions free from censorship as a part of the democratic society 2.As a pubic speaker... -you also have the responsibility to express your in an ethical manner. 3.Ethics- shared set of beliefs by a group about what behaviors are correct or incorrect
What are the 5 purposes of a good introduction?
1.Gains your audience's attention 2.Signals your thesis 3.Shows the relevance of the topic for your audience 4.Establishes credibility 5.Previews your main points
What are Cicero's 5 classical canons of rhetoric?
1.Invention-generation of ideas based on the analysis of the audience, choice of topic, and purpose, research conducted and evidence gathered 2.Arrangements- structuring of ideas 3.Style- choice of language that best expresses an idea to the audience 4.Memory (PREP)- practice to help speaker stay in command of material when presented 5.Delivery-speaker's use of their voice and body during the speech (eye contact, voice, hand gestures, and movements)
What are the 5 types of informative speeches?
1.Objects 2.Individual or groups 3.Events 4.Processes 5.Ideas
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the 4 modes of delivery?
1.Reading from a manuscript 2.Memorizing the manuscript 3.Speaking from an outline 4.Impromptu speeches
What are the 4 ways you can make your message clear?
1.Understandable language 2.Concrete words 3.Proper use of words 4.Concise language
What are the differences between fact, value, and policy claims?
A Fact claim- asserts that something is true or false. Fact claims that are debatable make strong persuasive speeches: Do video games cause people to commit violence crimes A Value Claim- attaches a judgement (such as good, bad, moral, or immoral) to a subject. Examples: Physical assisted suicide is immoral. A Policy Claim- advocates action by organizations, institutions, or members of your audience
What is the primary responsibility of an ethical speaker?
Communicating truthfully, acknowledging the work of others, avoiding plagiarism
What is the difference between ethical and legal speech?
Ethical speech- using ethical decision making into your public speaking process and into what you ultimately say -It means you follow the guidelines to tell the truth and avoid misleading the audience. Doing the right thing. Legal speech- using the law as your boundary for what you say and how you say it. Make decisions based on what the legal requirements or consequence is. -When you rely on the legal aspect, it has nothing to do with your ethics and you can potentially speak unethically. -Craft speeches to be both legal and ethical
What are the components of nonverbal delivery skills?
Eye contact Panning the audience Gestures-hand, head or face movement that emphasizes, or demonstrates and call attention to something Be aware of distracting gestures- fiddling, hands in pockets, touching ring.) Make sure gestures reinforce spoken message
How do you select the most credible sources?
Objectivity- have no bias-prejudice or partisanship-that would prevent the from making an impartial judgment on your speech's topic. (ex- make money from the topic) Observational Capacity- able to witness a situation for themselves. (someone who experienced a hurricane, a family with a family member with a disability) Regency- timeliness. Newer evidence is more credible than older
What are the steps in selecting your main points?
Organizing the body- the part where you present your main points and support them with examples, narratives, testimony, and other materials Selecting your main points- few ideas that are most important for your listeners to remember Supporting points- materials designed to prove your main points
Why is pathos important to public speaking (especially persuasion)?
Pathos- emotional appeal, which helps you put a human face on a problem you're addressing -When you stir your listeners feelings, you enhance your persuasive power -Some people day that emotions are the primary motivating system of all activity -Using Emotional Appeal- humans have a wide range of emotions-including empathy, anger, shame, fear, pity, happiness, etc. and each of these feeling provides an opportunity to enhance your use of pathos in a persuasive speech. -Always use sounds reasoning as evidence when evoking emotion -Fear Appeal -an argument that arouses fear in the minds of the audience members can be powerful form of pathos
Why should speakers use audiovisual aids?
Presentation Aid- Anything beyond your spoken words that employ to help your audience understand your message. Presentation aids can... 1.Make your speech more interesting 2.Simplify a complex topic 3.Help your audience remember your speech ●
What is the reflective thinking process and what are the steps for using the reflective thinking process?
Reflective thinking process: -Define the problem -Analyze the problem -Establish criteria for solving the problem -Generate possible solutions -Select the best solution
What are the steps necessary for creating a research plan?
Research plan- a strategy for finding and keeping track of information to use on your speech -Inventory your research needs- what are your research objectives/goals you need to accomplish with your research -Find the sources you need- talk to a librarian! They are the experts. -Online journals- Use the keywords related to your topic -Keep track of your sources- -Citation- citefast -Purdue
Why is it important to choose respectful and unbiased language?
Respects all audience members
What are the 4 situational characteristics of a speech situation?
Situational Characteristics are factors in a specific speech setting that you can observe or discover before you give the speech 1. SIZE -number of people who will be at your speech matters in how you craft your speech Smaller-can interact with audience more, and give a more detailed speech 2. Time -Allocated time for speech and listeners own time -Consider time and body clock Body clock- time of day or day of the week when audience members will be listening to the presentation/speech -Using your intuition -What to include and what to leave out -For a quick speech offer your audience something quick to digest -Engage with the audience 3. Location- influences how you deliver your speech -Technology at location -Anticipate location changes -Imagine giving your speech in the location -Position yourself where the audience will be able to see and hear you 4. Mobility- The degree to which listeners move around -Stationary vs Mobile Audience- classroom, lecture hall, or conference room, city sidewalk -Don't assume since the audience is stationary (stuck in their seats) that you don't have to work to keep them involved and invested
What are the strategies for effective group leadership?
Small Group- a limited number of people (three or more) gathered for a specific purpose. -Understanding group dynamics- the ways in which members relate to one another and view their function- can determine whether a group achieves it's mission. -Why is it important to effectively work in a group? -It is part of college, work and life in general -Collaborating on projects leads to success. -Each member has a unique experience and skill set. -You need different peoples skills sets to get jobs done -Decision making, presenting finding, all become very important in any group dynamic
What are the organizational patterns listed in the chapter? When is it most appropriate use each specific pattern?
Spatial pattern- the main points represent important aspects of your topic that can be thought of as adjacent to one another in location or geography Seismic zones in continental US Chronological Pattern- information in a time based sequence, from beginning to end Historical event or process Casual pattern- explaining a cause and effect relationship. Link between particular events and their outcomes Major news events influence on social behavior The connection with mass shootings and domestic violence Comparison pattern- organizes speech around similarities and differences between 2 events, objects, or situations Dorm life versus Apartment life Categorical Pattern- good when you have a diverse set of main points to support the thesis of your speech Each main point emphasizes an important aspect of your topic that you want the audience to understand
How can you draft a specific purpose statement and thesis statement?
Specific purpose- the objective of your speech and the concise phrase to describe it -Start with a phrase expressing your rhetorical purpose (to inform, to persuade, to mark a special occasion) then add language indicating what you want to accomplish in your speech Thesis Statement- a single sentence that captures the overall message you want to convey in your speech -Convey the bottom line, the ultimate message that all the points in your speech support. -Your audience should remember your thesis statement in order to remember the essence of your speech -Keep it to one sentence -Express your intentions -Be consistent with your specific purpose- make sure your thesis communicates the same idea as your specific purpose
What are the the principles for organizing your supporting materials?
Subordination- creating a hierarchy of points and their supporting materials Main points are the most important (highest) Subpoints- supporting materials used to develop the main point Sub-subpoints- materials that support subpoints Coordination- each main point is coordinate with other main points. In other words, it's all coordinated!
What are the different venues for delivering group presentations? What are some considerations that one must be kept in mind for each type of venue?
Symposium- several or all group members speak to the audience in turn Panel Discussion- members engage in discourse with one another, observed by the audience, or a presentation by one member representing the group Each group member takes responsibility for delivering a different part of the presentation, depending on his or her expertise or interest, or needs of the group. Panel Discussion- group members sit at a table and speak as if conversing among themselves, while the audience watches and listens. There also may be time for questions after the discussion. Moderated- introduces each panelist Moderator's role issimilar toa leader of a group. Monitors time, asks questions to keep discussion going One person will be responsible for presenting on behalf of the entire group Make sure the group has decided the best approach Who is the most qualified to present? Who would have the most effective delivery? Prepare to make sure you reflect the groups decision, opinions and findings
How can you relate your message to your listeners' needs?
The Hierarchy of Needs- objects that people desire and feelings that must be satisfied Abraham Maslow explains how peoples most basic needs must be met before they will focus on less essential ones, once these are met people can be motivated.
What are the types of audiences a speaker may encounter?
To affect your audience members beliefs, attitudes, or actions, while advocating fact, value, or policy claims. 1.Strengthen audience commitment- audience members might already agree with your perspectives 2.Weaken Commitment- if many audience members disagree with your perspectives on an issue, you may attempt to weaken their commitment 3.Promote Audience Action- persuade audience members to take a specific action
What is the purpose of a good conclusion?
To summarize the main points and close speech
What are the types of organizing words and sentences? When is it appropriate to use each?
Transitions- a sentence that indicates your are moving from one part of your speech to the next Indicate one thought it done and the news idea is coming "Now that we have discussed the history of pornography in the US, Let's take a look at the current state of the pornography industry and how it's changed. The transitions introduce a new point and signal the end of the previous point Signposts- a word or phrase within a sentence that helps your auidience understand your speech's structure Tell your audience what direction you are going "My third point is" "In summary" "According to" "In addition" Internal Previews - a short list of the ideas that will follow Internal Summaries- a quick review of what you just said in your point
What are the components of vocal delivery skills?
Verbal delivery skills- effective use of your voice when delivering a speech Volume- how loud or soft your voice is as you deliver a speech Tone- derives from pitch-the highs and lows in your voice. Achieve tonal variety Avoid being monotone and staying in the same tone throughout the speech Rate of delivery- how quickly or slowly you speak Projection- booming voices across a forum to reach all audience members Articulation- refers to the crispness or clarity of your spoken words Pronunciation- correctness in the way you say words Pausing- leaving gaps between words or sentences in a speech Helps avoid verbal filler (ummm, like, you know, and, but)
How can you effectively and properly use evidence in your speeches?
When you present trustworthy facts to back your claims and clearly show how those facts have led you to those claims, you use logos effectively. -Using Evidence -After analyzing your audience and you think listeners might n0t accept a claim, you will want to supply relevant research from credible sources and present that evidence in your speech -Identify your Sources and Their Qualifications -Give listeners new evidence -Provide precise evident -Look for compelling evidence - concrete or detailed example -Characterize your evidence accurately
What are the 5 techniques of informing?
definition, explanation, description, demonstration, narrative
