Exam 8: Selecting a Topic and Connecting to the Audience

What is psychological analysis? What types of information can be provided to the speaker using this type of analysis?

When asked to describe his speech for the club meeting, Karl said it was light, original and appropriate to the occasion. Karl is probably speaking to __________.

You've been assigned a three-minute informative speech on a topic of your choosing. Explain at least three different methods you might use to begin the topic selection process.

You learn that most people in your student audience are active in the Greek system on campus. In other words, you have learned about the audience's __________.

For speaking events that occur outside of the classroom, the general purpose is usually determined by __________.

The general purpose of a speech is usually to perform one of three overlapping functions: to inform, to persuade, or to entertain. Briefly define each type, and using the general topic of "Careers," provide an example of an appropriate speech title for each.

As part of his speech preparation, Peter wants to know whether his listeners have completed high school, college, or graduate school. He could learn this information most easily through __________.

What part of a speech is the most specific regarding its content?

Which statement is correct regarding use of questionnaires for audience analysis?

Nate is brainstorming for his next speech assignment and comes up with ten good ideas for his informative speech. He selects the topic of "drones," then after some consideration, refines this to "ethical considerations regarding drone use in urban settings." What part of the speech development process has Nate completed?

You have grown up playing video games. In fact, you often joke with your friends that Nintendo did more to raise you than your parents. Because of this "expertise," you decide to give a speech on the history of Nintendo for a persuasive speech assignment. What criteria for appropriateness does this topic fail to meet?

While searching for a speech topic, Charlie writes down the broad subject area of "health issues" and lists several topics that he finds interesting under this heading. Charlie continues until he's narrowed this subject to one specific topic, "eating a plant-based diet for heart health." What technique for finding a topic is Charlie using?

Yasmin wants to speak about the religious traditions she's encountered in her native Lebanon. What is the best example of an appropriate specific purpose statement for this informative speech?

You've been assigned a five-minute persuasive speech on the topic of your choosing, although it must represent a controversial subject. You will be delivering this speech to your communication class and have the opportunity to gather information about your audience before developing your speech. First, provide a specific purpose statement for your intended topic. Then using the guidelines discussed in the text, design a brief (5 to 10 question) questionnaire to help you gain information about your audience.

What technique used for selecting an appropriate topic asks the speaker to generate as many ideas as possible within a very brief amount of time, such as 3 to 5 minutes?

When conducting research or looking for a topic on the Internet, speakers must take care to __________.

In differentiating between captive and voluntary participants, it is important to remember that captive participants __________.

What statement best describes settings where public communication occurs?

Deena wants her audience to register to vote in time for the next election. Deena is speaking to __________.

Joseph is developing a list of potential speech topics. Which technique would be most helpful in creating his list?