Deck 12: Informative and Persuasive Speaking

Question 1

Which action subgoal asks listeners to demonstrate their acceptance of an attitude, belief, or value by performing the behavior suggested by the speaker?

A) adoption
B) discontinuance
C) deterrence
D) continuance

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In his persuasive speech, Hakim wants his classmates to boycott a particular restaurant in town. Which action subgoal of persuasion is Hakim attempting to meet?

A) adoption
B) discontinuance
C) deterrence
D) continuance

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Speeches that deal with abstract topics such as beliefs, theories, ideas, and principles are speeches about __________.

A) processes
B) objects
C) concepts
D) events

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The specific purpose of Taylor's speech is "To persuade the audience that Facebook should be banned from providing personal information to third party advertisers." This speech centers on a question of __________.

A) fact
B) value
C) morality
D) policy

Question 5

The general goal of persuasion can be summarized as __________.

A) coercion
B) gaining knowledge
C) action or change
D) acceptance or rejection

Question 6

Luna develops her persuasive speech around the topic, "Did Thomas Jefferson truly believe that all men are created equal?" Luna is examining a question of __________.

A) fact
B) value
C) policy
D) continuance

Question 7

An informative speaker who provides a fresh perspective is able to __________.

A) gain and maintain audience attention
B) deliver a speech successfully
C) increase his or her credibility
D) change the minds of the audience

Question 8

Some difference must especially exist between the speaker's view and that of the audience when the speaker's goal is __________.

A) deterrence or avoidance
B) to inform
C) adoption or discontinuance
D) to entertain

Question 9

In his speech, Keegan wants to signal what is coming and warn that what is about to be said is significant. What organizational technique should he use?

A) Incorporate definitions.
B) Use concrete words.
C) Plan for repetition.
D) Use advance organizers.

Question 10

A speech that asks whether something is good or bad, desirable or undesirable, centers around a question of __________.

A) fact
B) value
C) policy
D) continuance

Question 11

Presentations about __________ are especially appropriate for persuasive speeches.

A) current and controversial subjects
B) noteworthy people
C) objects
D) how something is done

Question 12

When selecting an appropriate topic for either informative or persuasive speeches, what element is most important?

A) The information is meaningful and interesting to the speaker.
B) The information is meaningful and interesting to the audience.
C) The speaker already knows a great deal about the topic.
D) The audience already knows a great deal about the topic.

Question 13

Which statement accurately reflects the distinction between informative and persuasive speaking?

A) Persuasion can be accomplished without attempting to inform.
B) The goal of the speaker distinguishes the two forms of speaking.
C) Information cannot be presented without attempting to persuade.
D) There is no difference between the two forms of speaking.

Question 14

Zach has been asked to speak about financial planning to an audience filled with college students and their parents. His central focus will be on graduating with little or no debt. By selecting this topic area, Zach will gain audience attention by __________.

A) creating information relevance
B) focusing on the unusual
C) providing a fresh perspective
D) generating a need for information

Question 15

Gregson has been assigned an informative speech for his public speaking class. The general goal of this speech should be __________.

A) to alter the attitudes or beliefs of the audience
B) to speak on a topic the audience knows nothing about
C) to increase the knowledge of the audience
D) to change the behavior of the audience

Question 16

When discussing questions of policy, persuasive speakers usually focus on what three considerations?

A) plan, resources and sustainability
B) need, plan and suitability
C) emotional appeals, attitudes and ethics
D) assertion, warrants and proof

Question 17

All forms of persuasion must __________.

A) provide information
B) include syllogisms
C) use emotional appeals
D) manipulate the audience

Question 18

Chanita is urging all residents at her dorm council meeting to maintain the current university policy of dorm segregation by sex. Chanita's persuasive goal is __________.

A) adoption
B) discontinuance
C) deterrence
D) continuance

Question 19

As a beginning persuasive speaker, success would mean __________.

A) your audience refutes all other viewpoints
B) you've compelled listeners to listen to and consider your point of view
C) you've provided listeners with interesting information
D) your audience undergoes immediate and drastic behavior change

Question 20

Sheree wants to explain how to bake an apple pie in her informative speech. This speech is about a(n) __________.

A) process
B) object
C) concept
D) event

Question 21

In persuasive speaking, the decision whether or not to present both sides of an issue rests on __________.

A) the speaker's ability to use gestures
B) the audience's evaluation of the speaker's credibility
C) the speaker's knowledge of the topic
D) the organizational pattern chosen for the speech

Question 22

If you are asked to assess a speaker's character, what aspect of the speech presentation will you examine?

A) the speaker's trustworthiness and ethics
B) the speaker's level of speech anxiety
C) the speaker's use of source variety
D) the speaker's general appeal or attractiveness

Question 23

Toulmin's model of persuasion indicates that the __________ is what the persuader wants or hopes will be believed, which must be supported by evidence.

A) warrant
B) claim
C) data
D) argument

Question 24

The problem-solution organizational pattern typically includes which speech element?

A) a description of how things might be arranged
B) possible causes and effects
C) a description of how the best plan can be implemented
D) several subtopics breaking down the main speech topic

Question 25

When developing an informative speech topic, it is not strictly necessary to __________.

A) choose a topic that merits the audience's attention
B) take into account the audience's level of knowledge
C) narrow the topic sufficiently to be fully developed in the allotted time
D) determine the action an audience will take after you conclude

Question 26

In a speech persuading her audience to donate money to support cancer research, Caroline discusses how she lost her father to cancer and wishes that he was here today to see the person she has become. Caroline is using __________.

A) logical appeal
B) deductive reasoning
C) emotional appeal
D) inductive reasoning

Question 27

Bess is developing an argument that progresses from a series of related facts about rising gunfire, carjacking, and sexual assault to a general conclusion about the escalation of community violence. Bess is engaging in __________.

A) inductive reasoning
B) causal reasoning
C) deductive reasoning
D) reasoning by analogy

Question 28

Which criterion is unique to the evaluation of a persuasive speech?

A) The speech should gain the attention of the audience.
B) The speech should include a goal: the audience is asked to think something, believe something or take action.
C) The speech should include information that increases audience knowledge.
D) The speech should include a variety of sources and supporting material.

Question 29

A speaker explaining how the proposed solution will meet the audience's need is demonstrating which step of the motivated sequence organizational pattern?

A) attention
B) need
C) visualization
D) action

Question 30

What statement best describes the use of logos for persuasion?

A) The speaker provides sensible reasons to support his or her arguments.
B) The speaker meets a need of the audience.
C) The speaker evokes appropriate emotion from the audience.
D) The speaker's actions and demeanor increase his or her credibility.

Question 31

A speaker can increase the audience's understanding by __________.

A) using abstract concepts
B) using as many visual aids as possible
C) using concrete words
D) using jargon and technical terms

Question 32

When you relate your topic to listeners so they can see its relevance, you are applying which strategy for increasing understanding?

A) drawing conclusions
B) using concrete details
C) avoiding assumptions
D) personalizing information

Question 33

During a press conference, one CEO repeatedly refers to the head of a regulatory agency in derogatory terms such as "hysterical," "addled," and "confused" to divert attention away from his company's environmental transgressions. This fallacy of reason is a type of __________.

A) questionable cause
B) red herring
C) ad hominem
D) hasty generalization

Question 34

A legislator addresses a growing controversy regarding head coverings for women. She states that two recent incidents involving women with head coverings made it impossible for authorities to recognize these criminals. The flaw in this argument can be identified as __________.

A) fact versus opinion
B) hasty generalization
C) post hoc fallacy
D) red herring

Question 35

You've been asked to analyze a classmate's presentation. In your evaluation, you remark that the introduction is properly developed, and the body of the speech is clear and easy to follow. You are evaluating the speaker's __________.

A) delivery
B) supporting materials
C) organization
D) language choice

Question 36

In his classroom evaluation, Chase's instructor described him as a charismatic speaker. This means that he is well-prepared and __________.

A) speaks with energy and enthusiasm
B) is more interested in his topic than his listeners
C) relies heavily on logic and research
D) is often successful in his attempts to persuade

Question 37

What action is most likely to increase a speaker's credibility, or ethos?

A) The speaker incorporates humor.
B) The speaker demonstrates expertise about the topic.
C) The speaker supports a viewpoint opposing that of the audience.
D) The speaker issues a claim.

Question 38

Successful informative speeches include which two elements?

A) purpose is to inform; relates to the audience
B) purpose is to inform; answers questions of fact, value, and policy
C) purpose is to persuade; contains a persuasive claim
D) purpose is to persuade; cites sources other than the speaker's own knowledge

Question 39

As a speaker, when you use a sequence of thought that compares similar things or circumstances to draw a conclusion, you are using __________.

A) emotional appeal
B) causal reasoning
C) deductive reasoning
D) reasoning by analogy

Question 40

In describing a conservative ideology, Anne used the phrases "advocate of states' rights" and "supporter of less government regulation" to help the audience understand this concept. In this speech, Anne is defining "conservative ideology" for her listeners by using which method of definition?

A) contrast
B) synonym
C) antonym
D) etymology

Question 41

In your opinion, what are the two most important dimensions for evaluating a persuasive speech? Defend your position by addressing specific criteria that are most relevant to your position. Assess your own persuasive competence, and discuss an area you wish to improve.

Question 42

As a speaker, what special considerations apply when selecting a persuasive speech topic?

Question 43

Identify the components of the Toulmin model for argument. Explain how they may be used in persuasion.

Question 44

What are the four action subgoals associated with persuasive speaking? Briefly describe each, and provide an example of a speech topic appropriate for that goal.

Question 45

As an informative speaker, why is gaining audience attention important? Explain the general strategies used to gain and maintain audience attention. Provide a specific example of a strategy you (or another speaker) have used successfully to gain audience attention.

Question 46

Explain the persuasive approach regarding a question of policy. Include discussion of the three considerations a speaker usually focuses on when discussing a question of policy.

Question 47

How can speakers use language to increase audience understanding? Be sure to describe at least three specific strategies in your response.

Question 48

Discuss the five steps in Monroe's motivated sequence and its use in persuasion. Design an infomercial for a product using the five steps in Monroe's motivated sequence, and briefly outline it.

Question 49

Identify and describe four types of informative speech topics. Using the general topic area of "communication," provide a specific example of each type that demonstrates your understanding.

Question 50

Discuss the key differences between informative and persuasive speeches. In class, you are assigned to give both types. How would you decide on what type of speech to give if it were not assigned?