Deck 12: Developing an Introduction

Question 1

"You have heard several ideas for investing your money wisely, this morning, but I'm going to share with you a way to do it with maximum safety and minimal risk," is an example of a(n)

A) historical event reference.
B) recent event reference.
C) preceding speech reference.
D) personal reference.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

_____ is the degree to which the information affects your listeners directly.

A) Recency
B) Proximity
C) Primacy
D) Accommodation

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Janet's introduction contained the following remarks: "How many of you know someone who has tried to quit smoking, successfully or unsuccessfully? Have any of the smokers in this audience tried toquit?Well, if you have tried to quit and failed, you are among the 20 percent of Americans who have tried to quit multiple times. A few months ago I tried to quit, for the umpteenth time, but this time I made it. I'd like to tell you exactly how I made it." Which of the following statements is accurate about this introduction?

A) Janet shouldn't discuss her own experience with quitting smoking because it sets up some distance between her and the audience.
B) Janet has successfully combined introductory devices of questions to the audience, statistical information, and a personal reference.
C) Janet has too many devices in this introduction; the audience will be confused rather than intrigued by this introduction.
D) Janet has successfully combined introductory devices of startling statements, reference to historical events, and illustrations.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Proximity refers to the degree to which listeners should act.

Question 5

The BEST way to ensure that your introduction introduces the subject of your speech is to

A) include your general purpose in your introduction.
B) avoid references to the content of your speech.
C) use more than one speech device in your introduction.
D) include a statement of your central idea in the introduction.

Question 6

Leah walked to the podium, wrapped a large black scarf around her head, neck, and shoulders, then asked the audience: "How would you feel if someone looking like this got on a plane with you?" What introductory device was Leah using?

A) establishing her credibility
B) asking a rhetorical question
C) opening with a startling fact
D) using a personal reference

Question 7

Aspeech introduction that begins with, "Did you know that a light bulb has been invented that will last ten times as long as the ones we use today, but the government won't let it be marketed to thepublic?" is employing a device known as

A) a reference to a historical event.
B) a personal reference.
C) a startling statement.
D) an anecdote.

Question 8

Last week, ten soldiers were killed in Iraq under what the White House calls an "act of honor," is an example of a(n) _______ reference.

A) historical
B) recent event
C) personal
D) occasion

Question 9

The first goal of the speech introduction is to gain the attention of the audience.

Question 10

Aspeaker opens with the following question: "Did you know that on this date in 1954, the USS Nautilus, the first atomic submarine, was launched at Groton, Connecticut?" What device is being employedinthisintroduction?

A) a reference to a historical event
B) an effective use of humor
C) a startling fact or statistic
D) a preview of the topic

Question 11

________ are good to use when speakers want to establish a bond between themselves and their audiences.

A) Occasion references
B) Personal references
C) Historical references
D) Preceding speech references

Question 12

In your introduction, after you have captured the attention of the audience your work is done.

Question 13

________ are usually made at weddings, birthday parties, and dedications.

A) Personal references
B) Historical references
C) Occasion references
D) Recent event references

Question 14

Apersonal illustration can help establish your credibility.

Question 15

As a speaker, you should NOT include your central idea in your introduction.

Question 16

The first step in an introduction is to

A) preview the main ideas.
B) establish credibility.
C) get the audience's attention.
D) reveal the topic.

Question 17

It is important in an introduction to build trust with the audience, to have believability. This is known as speaker

A) likability.
B) popularity.
C) credibility.
D) trustworthiness.

Question 18

Thanking someone for inviting you to speak as part of your introduction is termed

A) a reference to a recent event.
B) a personal illustration.
C) a personal reference.
D) a rhetorical device.

Question 19

In an introduction, you may ask a question that doesn't require a response but makes the audience think about your topic. This is called

A) a primacy question.
B) a hypothetical question.
C) a rhetorical question.
D) an unanswerable question.

Question 20

The final step in an introduction is to provide your audience with an overview of your speech. This step is known as

A) a summary.
B) an explanation.
C) a specific purpose.
D) a preview.

Question 21

When using a question to open a speech, you will generally use a rhetorical question, the kind you don't expect an answer to.

Question 22

You should NOT attempt to startle an audience with the extent of a situation or problem.

Question 23

Humor is NOT a good attention-gaining strategy if your audience is linguistically diverse.

Question 24

If a preceding speaker has spoken on a topic that is closely related to yours, it may be wise to draw an analogy between the two speeches.

Question 25

The purpose of a personal reference is to establish the speaker's authority over the audience.