Deck 13: Content and Organization

Question 1

Which of the following is not a criteria for evaluating online information?

A) source credibility
B) accuracy
C) placement
D) objectivity
E) currency

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The key points in a presentation about the major television networks discuss characteristics of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. What organizational pattern is being used in such a presentation?

A) cause and effect
B) stories and examples
C) topical
D) space
E) problem-solution

Answer 2

C

Question 3

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "Horsepower is a unit for measuring the power of engines that is roughly equal to 746 watts or 33,000 foot-pounds per minute."

A) facts
B) definitions
C) statistics
D) descriptions
E) analogies

Answer 3

B

Question 4

As Thomas selects information for his presentation, his goal is source credibility. Which of the following sources is the least credible?

A) The New York Times
B) The Wall Street Journal
C) The National Enquirer
D) The World Almanac
E) Fortune magazine

Question 5

The great Roman senator and orator, Cicero, used the Latin word __________ to describe the speaker's attempt to "find out what he should say."

A) inventio
B) dispositio
C) elocutio
D) memoria
E) actio

Question 6

What kind of supporting material is used in the following example? "The Biltmore Mansion is the largest private residence in the United States."

A) facts
B) statistics
C) testimony
D) definitions
E) analogies

Question 7

The phrase "history of hieroglyphics" best illustrates the __________ of a presentation.

A) thesis
B) topic
C) purpose
D) central idea
E) key points

Question 8

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "Fewer than 2,000 high schools in the United States-a manageable number-produce half of all its dropouts."

A) examples
B) testimony
C) analogies
D) statistics
E) facts

Question 9

Which of the following terms describes supporting material that reports, repeats, or summarizes information from other sources?

A) primary source
B) primary credibility
C) secondary source
D) secondary credibility
E) tertiary source

Question 10

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "Four kitchen and bath renovation websites are fixtureuniverse.com, nkba.org, trendir.com, and homeportfolio.com."

A) stories
B) statistics
C) examples
D) facts
E) definitions

Question 11

_______________ represent the most important issues or the main ideas you want your audience to understand and remember about your message.

A) Organizational patterns
B) Topic areas
C) Key points
D) Central ideas
E) Summary statements

Question 12

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "If a copilot must be qualified to fly a plane, a U.S. vice president should be qualified to govern the country."

A) facts
B) analogies
C) examples
D) testimony
E) descriptions

Question 13

The central idea of a presentation is a(n)

A) simple statement of your presentation's purpose.
B) specific, achievable, and relevant sentence that identifies your purpose.
C) sentence that previews the organizational pattern and summarizes the key points of your presentation.
D) statement that identifies the specific organizational pattern you will use in a presentation.
E) transitional statement that moves from your introduction to the body of your presentation.

Question 14

Which of the following statements illustrates the most effective central idea?

A) the effects of herbal supplements
B) to understand the effects of herbal supplements
C) taking herbal supplements can have positive and negative effects on your body
D) herbal supplements
E) whether to avoid herbal supplements

Question 15

All of the following information should be included in an oral footnote except:

A) the person or group of people whose work is cited.
B) the person or group's credentials.
C) the source of the information, such as a book, a website.
D) the publisher and page number.
E) the date of the information as necessary.

Question 16

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "The newly upgraded Montpelier Plantation Inn on the Caribbean island of Nevis, sits on the massive shoulder of Nevis Peak, 750 feet above sea level. Guests live in beautiful, self-contained cottages dotting a grassy hillside, and have air conditioning and four-poster beds."

A) analogies
B) definitions
C) descriptions
D) facts
E) examples

Question 17

__________ refer(s) to statements or opinions that someone has said or written.

A) Facts
B) Statistics
C) Testimony
D) Definitions
E) Analogies

Question 18

All of the following questions will help you test the validity of your supporting material except:

A) Are the statistics valid?
B) Is the source biased?
C) Is the source identified and credible?
D) Is the information recent?
E) Is this enough information?

Question 19

Which of the following provides a visual model for organizing presentation content?

A) mind mapping
B) the Speech Framer
C) concept mapping
D) idea generator
E) brainstorming

Question 20

Which of the following methods for determining the key points of a presentation encourages the free flow of ideas and allows you to harness the potential of your whole brain?

A) mind mapping
B) the Speech Framer
C) arranging key points chronologically
D) using a problem-solution organizational pattern
E) telling stories and sharing examples to organize a presentation

Question 21

What type of outline can you use to put the major pieces of almost any presentation in order?

A) preliminary outline
B) summary outline
C) comprehensive outline
D) numbered outline
E) speaking outline

Question 22

Which method of introducing a presentation is used in the following example? "When I was a sophomore in college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain. While abroad, I learned a lot of valuable lessons about cultural differences between Americans and Spaniards. The most important difference I learned about was how fast-moving we are compared to our Spanish counterparts."

A) use a statistic or example
B) refer to a well-known incident
C) tell a story
D) ask a question
E) address audience needs

Question 23

What organizational pattern is used in a presentation that describes how hand, foot, and mouth disease in children can be contracted and how it affects the body?

A) comparison and contrast
B) problem-solution
C) space
D) cause and effect
E) time

Question 24

In the introduction of a presentation, you can link your expertise, experiences, and personal enthusiasm to your topic or purpose by

A) putting you in your presentation.
B) adapting to your audience.
C) focusing audience attention and interest.
D) setting the emotional tone.
E) previewing your message.

Question 25

The key points in a presentation about rap music discuss its early beginnings, its current popularity, and the future of rap music in the music industry. What arrangement pattern does this presentation use?

A) space
B) cause and effect
C) topical
D) stories and examples
E) time

Question 26

In a lecture on the basics of presentation speaking, a speaker claims that planning and preparing a presentation is similar to planning and preparing a gourmet meal for a large group of people. What organizational pattern is used in this presentation?

A) comparison and contrast
B) problem-solution
C) space
D) cause and effect
E) time

Question 27

Which of the following statements illustrates a transition?

A) "Fourth, you should apply varnish."
B) "Today I will discuss the materials you need, how to prepare the surface, and how to apply a new finish."
C) "So, remember to wear safety goggles, work in a well-ventilated area, and dispose of chemicals properly."
D) "Once you have assembled the necessary materials, you are ready to prepare the surface."
E) "Don't buy new furniture. Save money by refinishing your old furniture."

Question 28

The problem-solution arrangement

A) is restricted to persuasive presentations.
B) is restricted to informative presentations.
C) can be used for both informative and persuasive presentations.
D) should only be used when describing a serious problem.
E) should not be used unless you can identify the cause of a problem.

Question 29

Which of the following answers represents the most appropriate sequence of numbers and letters in the overall structure of a formal outline?

A) I, A, 1, a
B) A, b, (c)
C) I, II, A, B, 1, 2
D) A, i, a
E) I, a, i, (a)

Question 30

Which method of introducing a presentation is used in the following example? "'To be, or not to be, that is the question.' With these famous words, Shakespeare's Hamlet pondered whether it was 'nobler in the mind' to face the world with all 'the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' or to end his life 'to die, to sleep.' Today, doctor-assisted suicide has made decisions about suicide a controversial public issue."

A) use a statistic or example
B) quote someone
C) tell a story
D) ask a question
E) refer to a well-known incident

Question 31

Which of the following statements illustrates an internal preview?

A) "Fourth, you should gently mix in the chocolate chips."
B) "Today I will discuss the reasons behind the Defense of Marriage Act, the movement to abolish the Act, and the current state of affairs regarding gay marriage."
C) "So, remember to wear safety goggles, work in a well-ventilated area, and dispose of chemicals properly."
D) "After thinking about what type of cabinets you would like, you should consider the finish of the wood next."
E) "Don't buy coffee at the coffee shop anymore. You can make it much less expensively at home."

Question 32

Which method of introducing a presentation is used in the following example? "[Hold up soda can.] How many of these have you had today? [Hold up a bottle of water.] How many of these have you had today? Probably not enough. I learned this lesson the hard way."

A) use a metaphor
B) quote someone
C) tell a story
D) ask a question
E) refer to the place or occasion

Question 33

Which of the following statements illustrates an internal summary?

A) "Second, you should sum the total of your monthly expenses."
B) "Today I will discuss the cause and effects of osteoporosis in men."
C) "So, remember to wear safety goggles, work in a well-ventilated area, and dispose of chemicals properly."
D) "After mixing in the nuts, you can move on to sifting the flour."
E) "It's really not a good idea to make your own furniture because it is so expensive and timely to do so."

Question 34

Which method of introducing a presentation is used in the following example? "Approximately 86 percent of non-millionaires drive high-status luxury cars, while real millionaires tend to live modestly, spending an average of $16 for haircut."

A) use statistics or examples
B) quote someone
C) tell a story
D) ask a question
E) refer to a well-known incident

Question 35

Lee Towe, President of Innovators International, defines creativity as consisting of two parts:

A) mind mapping and brainstorming.
B) generating interest and generating ideas.
C) creative thinking and creative output.
D) beginning with a strong introduction; ending with a memorable conclusion.
E) looking for creative ideas and criticizing creative ideas.

Question 36

What organizational pattern is used in a presentation on how to lower car insurance premiums that covers the following advice? (a) Raise your deductible and save up to 30 percent; (b) compare and contrast costs among insurers and save up to $500; (c) check to see if you qualify for discounts; and (d) report suspected fraud to your state's insurance fraud bureau.

A) comparison and contrast
B) topical
C) space
D) cause and effect
E) time

Question 37

A district sales manager conducts a quarterly business meeting in which she talks about ways of increasing sales in key markets in the northeast and southwest. What organizational pattern is the speaker using in the presentation?

A) comparison and contrast
B) problem-solution
C) time
D) space
E) cause and effect

Question 38

The power of the first impression is described as the __________ effect.

A) recency
B) primacy
C) secondary
D) impression
E) final

Question 39

A classmate describes the advantages and disadvantages of two major high-speed Internet providers. What organizational pattern is the speaker using?

A) topical
B) space
C) problem-solution
D) comparison and contrast
E) stories and examples

Question 40

Blair is working on outlining her presentation. Which of the following actions should she avoid?

A) use numbers and letters
B) leave the introduction and conclusion out of the outline
C) divide subpoints logically
D) keep the outline consistent in design and grammatical structure
E) use indentations in the outline for different levels

Question 41

Audiences often remember a good story even when they can't remember much else about a presentation.

Question 42

Which method of concluding a presentation is used in the following example? "I've explained the causes of dementia. I've also described how it affects caregivers. And finally, I proposed some ways that we can support those with dementia."

A) summarize
B) quote someone
C) tell a story
D) use poetic language
E) call for action

Question 43

Presenters who "take words out of context" select isolated statements from a source and alter, distort, or contradict the speaker or writer's intended meaning.

Question 44

Which of the following answers is not an effective way of beginning a presentation?

A) Plan the beginning after you have developed the content of your presentation.
B) Don't use your introduction to offer excuses for poor preparation or nervousness.
C) Don't begin a presentation with a phrase such as "My speech is going to be about…"
D) Begin with a strong joke, even if it's not relevant to your purpose or topic.
E) Begin by connecting to your audience and setting the emotional tone of the presentation.

Question 45

Cicero described the Latin word dispositio as the task of arranging ideas and information for a presentation in an orderly sequence.

Question 46

Whereas definitions create mental images for your listeners, descriptions explain or clarify the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept.

Question 47

When you orally document the sources of your supporting material in a presentation, you should use the same format for a written footnote.

Question 48

Using only one type of supporting material is acceptable for some types of presentations.

Question 49

What method of concluding a presentation is used in the following example? "It's not that difficult to buy American. Federal law requires that all products sold in the United States must have a label indicating where the product is made. My family and I always check for the Made in America label when we shop. We care about our country and its workforce. I reach out to you today to join forces with us. Check for the Made in the U.S.A. label."

A) summarize
B) quote someone
C) use poetic language
D) call for action
E) refer to the beginning

Question 50

Stories should be used in a presentation only if they are real life stories.

Question 51

According to your textbook, your conclusion should be

A) short, sweet, and serious.
B) poetic, personal, and profound.
C) funny, fascinating, and fast.
D) memorable, clear, and brief.
E) focused, topical, and time-tested.

Question 52

Analogies create mental images for your listeners.

Question 53

One way to test the validity of supporting material is to ask, "Is the information interesting?"

Question 54

Wikipedia now uses content assessment criteria such as "the structure is clear" and "coverage is neutral" to evaluate the validity and usefulness of its content.

Question 55

"Dances with Wolves won the 1990 Academy Award for best picture" is an example of using a fact as supporting material.

Question 56

Janie is contemplating the best way to gain the attention of her audience. Janie should:

A) use "shock tactics."
B) tell a risqué joke to break the ice.
C) relate her purpose to audience interests and needs.
D) preview her key ideas in detail.
E) say "My speech is about…"

Question 57

Documentation enhances your charisma as a speaker while assuring listeners of the validity of your content.

Question 58

What method of concluding did Martin Luther King, Jr. use in his I Have a Dream speech? "…[we] will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the Old Negro spiritual, 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last!'"

A) summarize
B) quote something or someone
C) tell a story
D) refer to the beginning
E) call for action

Question 59

Among the questions you should ask when testing the validity of your supporting material are: "Is the source identified and credible?" and "Is the information recent?"

Question 60

Statistics are valid and reliable forms of supporting material only if they have been collected and analyzed scientifically and fairly.

Question 61

Your central idea provides a brief preview of the organizational pattern you will follow to achieve your purpose.

Question 62

No matter how many key points there are in a presentation, each point should be supported by at least one type of supporting material.

Question 63

Mind mapping is useful when you want to generate a lot of ideas and information about a topic and then organize them effectively.

Question 64

Time arrangement describes a series of linear events or steps in a process.

Question 65

The organizational pattern of a presentation often dictates the order of the key points.

Question 66

In a formal outline, the exact wording of the central idea and key points should be included.

Question 67

Primary sources report, repeat, or summarize information from one or more sources.

Question 68

Examples of secondary sources include encyclopedia articles and news summaries.

Question 69

You can rate a speaker's creativity using the following criteria: quantity of creative ideas, variety of creative ideas, and uniqueness of creative ideas.

Question 70

A preliminary outline is an all-inclusive presentation framework that follows established outlining rules.

Question 71

If you're one of a series of presenters, plan your presentation so that the key points come first in case you need to cut your presentation short.

Question 72

The content in a mind map is easier to convert into an outline than is the content in a Speech Framer.

Question 73

When sources are biased, they do not report valid information.

Question 74

The Speech Framer provides a place for every organizational component of a presentation while encouraging experimentation and creativity.

Question 75

Shannon spent little time organizing her presentation. Consequently, her presentation was unfocused and repetitive. She should not be surprised that her audience reacted poorly.

Question 76

In a problem-solution arrangement, the speaker identifies a situation, object, or behavior that results in another situation, object, or behavior.

Question 77

Recipes, historical events, assembly directions, and technical procedures are best organized using topical arrangement.

Question 78

Organizing and outlining a presentation are different terms for the same strategy.

Question 79

Generally, weaker key ideas should be placed in the middle of a presentation.

Question 80

A series of well-told stories or dramatic examples can be so compelling and interesting that they become the organizational pattern for a presentation.