Deck 12: Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style

Question 1

13 Language used by speakers during momentous or overwhelming times is known as

A)specialized jargon.
B)crisis rhetoric.
C)personification.
D)vernacular.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

9 Specialized language that is particular to a profession is known as

A)jargon.
B)vernacular.
C)suspension.
D)regionalism.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

12 What is wrong with the following speech statement: "If you believe we should have stiffer penalties for juvenile offenders,then write to your congressman."

A)The language is controversial and likely to incite a negative emotional response in listeners.
B)The language is sexist,as the term "congressman" implies only men serve in the legislature.
C)The language should be more vivid and specific in order to move the audience to action.
D)The language should create a sense of drama and suspense in order to move the audience.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

16 Statements such as,"money talks," "that's my car; isn't she beautiful," and "the wind moaned and screeched," are all examples of

A)personification.
B)personalism.
C)metaphors.
D)similes.

Question 5

2 When speaking,you can look your listeners in the eye and talk to them directly.This demonstrates that oral language is

A)less repetitive than written language.
B)less precise than written language.
C)more formal than written language.
D)more personal than written language.

Question 6

A word that is specific and appeals to at least one of our five senses is known as an _______ word.

A)abstract
B)concrete
C)sensual
D)simple

Question 7

14 When a speaker compares an abstract idea to a concrete image,she or he is using the figure of speech known as

A)an inversion.
B)a metaphor.
C)parallelism.
D)personification.

Question 8

20 One strategy for improving your speaking style by creating cadence is

A)to leave out a word the audience expects.
B)reverse the normal word order in sentences.
C)use words with strong audience connotation.
D)to use parallelism in sentences or phrases.

Question 9

19 President George W.Bush,in eulogizing President Reagan,stated "when Ronald Reagan was a child he knew the world as a place of open plains,quiet streets,gas-lit rooms,and carriages drawn by horses." Which language device was President Bush using when he said "carriages drawn by horses"?

A)He was using antithesis.
B)He was using a metaphor.
C)He was using inversion.
D)He was using personification.

Question 10

17 In his speech about the Titanic,Keifer said the following: "She was the new world,the new technology,the best of the best.But a technology that failed,leaving many souls in a cold,watery grave." What form of effective language usage has Keifer employed?

A)omission
B)simile
C)metaphor
D)alliteration

Question 11

7 The literal or dictionary meaning of a word is

A)connotation.
B)denotation.
C)regionalism.
D)vernacular.

Question 12

8 Spanglish and Cajun are both examples of

A)regionalisms.
B)ethnic vernaculars.
C)connotations.
D)jargon.

Question 13

15 When you keep your audience in suspense or say something in your speech that is different from the expected,you are creating

A)cadence.
B)confusion.
C)drama.
D)memorable imagery.

Question 14

1 Oral language is different from written language in that it

A)is more formal and precise.
B)allows for less repetition.
C)is more personal and simple.
D)uses few figures of speech.

Question 15

11 When speakers substitute the word "flight attendant" for "stewardess" or "steward," they are using language that is

A)politically incorrect.
B)biased.
C)gender-neutral.
D)standard.

Question 16

5 What linguistic theory asserts that the more concrete your words,the clearer your communication?

A)specific semantics
B)theoretical linguistics
C)general semantics
D)abstract linguistics

Question 17

18 In a speech about preparing oneself for the death of a loved one,Amber made repeated reference to "death,the unwanted stranger at the door." She hoped to create a sense of drama for her audience,while at the same time getting them to seriously consider her points.What figure of speech did Amber use in her presentation?

A)omission
B)simile
C)hyperbole
D)personification

Question 18

10 To "use respectful language" in a speech implies

A)avoiding any words not found in a U.S.Standard English dictionary.
B)avoiding language that will offend people of different cultures,races,sexes,or other subgroups.
C)avoiding language that may be too dramatic or colorful for your audience.
D)avoiding language that is too informal and uses sentences that are too short and choppy.

Question 19

6 The term that applies to the meaning of a word based on our past experiences is

A)connotation.
B)denotation.
C)imagination.
D)colloquialism.

Question 20

4 A cliché is

A)the dictionary definition of a word.
B)used to present specific information in a speech.
C)an overused expression that may cause listeners to tune out.
D)a concrete word or phrase which exemplifies clear communication.

Question 21

27 Oral communication often uses a rather formal language and structure.

Question 22

32 General words are often abstract words,which refer to ideas or qualities.

Question 23

29 Spoken communication is usually more formal and characterized by longer words and phrases than written communication.

Question 24

31 Specific words are concrete words,which appeal to one of our five senses.

Question 25

39 One way to make your message memorable is to use figures of speech to create arresting images.

Question 26

40 The public speaker can take advantage of language rhythms by using such devices as repetition,parallelism,antithesis,and alliteration.

Question 27

26 The choice word structures can help give your message a distinctive style.

Question 28

33 If you want to give your audience an accurate depiction of your message,you should use concrete words.

Question 29

35 The denotation of a word consists of the meaning we associate with the word,based on our past experiences.

Question 30

To communicate successfully with the diverse group of listeners who comprise your audience,make sure your language is understandable,respectful,and unbiased.

Question 31

25 In order to use memorable word structures effectively,you must

A)use distinctive stylistic devices abundantly.
B)use stylistic devices at specific points in your speech.
C)use stylistic devices to maximize.
D)avoid the use of stylistic devices.

Question 32

24 The statement,"now is the time for determination,decisiveness,and dedication" employs what linguistic device?

A)antithesis
B)alliteration
C)repetition
D)parallelism

Question 33

23 What is antithesis?

A)going against the thesis that was established within the introduction
B)having two or more clauses or sentences with the same grammatical pattern
C)a sentence that has two parts with parallel structure but contrasting meanings
D)closing with a series of ideas that are less important than those preceding them

Question 34

36 The connotation of a word is its literal meaning,the definition you find in a
dictionary.

Question 35

22 When Reverend Jesse Jackson says,"we must relate instead of debate; we must inspire instead of retire; and we must repair instead of despair," what linguistic device is he using?

A)metaphor
B)omission
C)parallelism
D)inversion

Question 36

21 Using a key word or phrase at the end rather than the beginning of a sentence,such as in the statement "she's an inspiration,a best friend,and a teacher; she's also my mom" is a stylistic device known as

A)alliteration.
B)omission.
C)suspension.
D)inversion.

Question 37

34 The best language is often the simplest.

Question 38

38 Regionalisms are words or phrases that are used uniquely in one part of a country but rarely used in the same way in other places.

Question 39

28 Memorized speeches usually sound as if they were written because the words and phrases are longer,more complex,and more formal than those used by most speakers.

Question 40

30 Oral style is characterized by looser construction,repetition,rephrasing,and comment clauses.

Question 41

43 ________ is the attribution of human qualities to inanimate things or ideas.

Question 42

44 _______ is the use of identical grammatical patterns.

Question 43

Identify three word structures you can use to create drama and define each structure.

Question 44

Explain how speakers must adapt their language style to diverse listeners.

Question 45

49 Explain the difference between a metaphor and a simile and provide an example of each.

Question 46

45 When sentences become too long or complex,they can be recast by using antithesis or suspension.These stylistic devices are used to _______.

Question 47

42 A ________ is a comparison between two things that uses the word like or as.

Question 48

What are the major differences between oral and written language styles?

Question 49

41 A _______ is an implied comparison between two things or concepts.

Question 50

Explain the various stylistic devices a speaker can use to create cadence.