Public Speaking Exam Review

Identify the four objectives of a speech introduction

1. Gain audience attention and interest 2. Reveal the topic 3. Establish credibility and goodwill 4. Preview the body of the speech

Identify the four methods of delivering a speech

1. Manuscript speeches- a speech written out word for word and read to audience. 2. Memory- memorize it 3. Impromptu- delivered with little or no immediate preparation 4. Extemporaneously- carefully prepared and practiced in advance; maybe a small set of notes

Explain seven methods that can be used to gain attention in an introduction.

1. Relate the topic to the audience 2. To state the importance of the topic 3. Startle the audience 4. Arouse the curiosity of the audience 5. Pose a question to the audience 6. Begin with a quote 7. Tell a story

Explain the importance of using language accurately in public speeches

1. Speakers need to be sensitive to the shades of meaning of different words. 2. Speakers should not use a word unless they are confident of its meaning. 3. Speakers who have serious aspirations should develop a systematic plan for improving their vocabulary.

Identify the major functions of a speech conclusion

1. Summarize the main points of the speech 2. Conclude with a quote 3. End with a dramatic statement 4. Refer back to the introduction of the speech

What are the five major patterns of organizing main points in a speech? Explain each.

1. Chronological order- main points follow a time pattern 2. Spatial order- main points follow a directional pattern 3. Casual organization- main points show a cause-effect relationship 4. Problem-solution order- first main point deals with a problem, next deals with a solution 5. Topical order- main points divide the topic into logical and consistent suptopics

Explain why the effective use of language is vital to a public speaker.

. Using language accurately is as vital to a speaker as using numbers accurately is to an accountant. 1. Speakers need to be sensitive to the shades of meaning of different words. 2. Speakers should not use a word unless they are confident of its meaning. B. Speakers who have serious aspirations should develop a systematic plan for improving their vocabulary.

Define a question of value, fact and policy and give an example of each.

...Questions of value require judgments based on a person's beliefs about what is right or wrong, good or bad, moral or immoral. Questions of fact can be answered with certainty or attempts to prove what's false or true. Questions of policy deal with specific courses of action.

Explain the four kinds of speech connectives and their roles in a speech.

1. Transitions indicate when a speaker has completed one thought and is moving on to another. 2. Internal previews lets the audience know what the speaker will take up next. Internal previews are more detailed than transitions, they happen inside the body of a speech. Typically at the start of a main point. 3. Internal summaries remind listeners of what they have just heard, typically at the end of a lengthy main point. 4. Signposts are brief statements that indicate exactly where a speaker is in the speech or that focus attention on key ideas. Signposts can be numerical ("First," "Second," "Third," etc.). Questions also work well as signposts. So do phrases such as "Be sure to keep this in mind," "Above all, you need to know,"

Identify three methods public speakers can use to help ensure that their language will be clear to listeners.

1. Use familiar words instead of jargon/technical language 2. Use concrete words (refer to tangible objects and are more specific than abstract words.) 3. Eliminate linguistic clutter (don't be wordy, or tangential).

Explain the differences between denotative and connotative meaning.

Denotative meaning is precise, literal, and objective. 1. It describes the object, person, or idea referred to. 2. One way to think of a word's denotative meaning is to think of its dictionary definition. Connotative meaning is more variable, figurative, and subjective. 1. It is what the word suggests or implies. 2. Connotative meaning includes all the ideas, feelings, and emotions associated with the word.

Be able to outline a mini speech when given one. Follow symbolization and indentation skills.

I. Topic Sentence A. First Point B. Second Point 1. About second point 2. About second point II. Topic Sentence A. First Point B. Second Point General Purpose Statement Specific Purpose Statement Attention Getter Audience Relevance Credibility Central Idea Preview of Main Points Transition Main Point 1 Transition Main Point 2 Transition Main Point 3 Transition Review of Main Points End with Style

Explain what it means to say that audiences engage in a mental dialogue with the speaker as they listen to a persuasive speech.

Listeners do not sit passively and soak in everything a speaker says. a. As they listen, they assess the speaker's credibility, delivery, supporting materials, language, and the like. b. They may argue inside their own minds, with the speaker. C. Anticipate the audience's concerns, include them in the speech (in the form of cons or pros or counterarguments).

Explain the major characteristics of effective speech delivery.

Most audiences prefer delivery that combines a certain degree of formality with the best attributes of good conversation—directness, vocal and facial expressiveness, and a lively (energetic or enthusiasm) sense of communication.

Explain why meeting ethical obligations can be especially challenging in persuasive speaking and identify the ethical responsibilities of persuasive speakers.

Persuasion is a psychological process. Persuasive speeches often deal with controversial topics that involve people's most basic attitudes, values, and beliefs. No matter how skilled a speaker may be, some listeners are so committed to their own ideas that they cannot be persuaded to the speaker's point of view.

Explain why it is important to organize speeches clearly and coherently.

Well-organized speeches are easier for listeners to comprehend. 2. Listeners find speakers who give well-organized speeches more competent and trustworthy. 3. Clear organization is also connected to critical thinking. 4. Specifically, Organizing speeches helps students understand the relationship between ideas.

Explain why good delivery is important to successful speaking.

When you speak, the people in your audience tend to MIRROR your attitudes. The audience unconsciously feel what you feel and respond accordingly.

Fallacy

an error in reasoning

Bandwagon Fallacy

assumes that because something is popular, it is therefore good, correct or desirable. (Because we enjoy working out, you should too!)

Slippery Slope Fallacy

assumes that taking a first step will lead inevitably to a second step and so on down the slope to disaster (Now that Colorado has legalized Marijuana, they all are going to)

Either-or Fallacy

forces listeners to choose between two alternatives when more than two exist (either you make us dinner or we don't eat)

Reasoning from Principle

moves from a general principle to a specific conclusion (A lot of workers at high school got laid off, therefore she got laid off)

Reasoning from Cause

reasoning that seeks to establish the relationship between causes and effects; (because it rained, the flowers grew)

Reasoning from Specific Instances

they progress from a number of particular facts to a general conclusion. (Black man robbed a bank, all blacks are thefts)