Exam Questions Ch.16 Zarefsky Occasions For Public Speaking

Chapter 16 Occasions for Public Speaking

Multiple Choice

1. All speaking occasions create __________.

a. decorum

b. constraints

c. formality

d. identification

Learning Objective: 16.1 Explain how the nature of the speaking occasion and the purpose influence the speech.

Topic: Fitting Your Speech to the Occasion

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

2. Jacob knew his speech should focus on serious issues and not be humorous since it would take place during a ceremony honoring the victims of the September 11^th attacks. What is influencing the rhetorical situation?

a. the message

b. the transitions

c. the occasion

d. the speaker

Learning Objective: 16.1 Explain how the nature of the speaking occasion and the purpose influence the speech.

Topic: Fitting Your Speech to the Occasion

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

3. When a speech is well suited to the expectations of a particular occasion, it has the quality of __________.

a. decorum

b. positive ethos

c. identification

d. resonance

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

4. Callie thought it was appropriate to describe the conditions of the area following the earthquake but didn’t want to show photographs of families with missing loved ones. Callie is making these choices based on __________.

a. decorum

b. ethos

c. intensity

d. forensics

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

5. When Drew gave the toast at the wedding reception, he failed to notice the shocked looks as he told some off-color stories about the couple. What quality of decorum did Drew violate?

a. The toast was too long.

b. The toast did not reflect the speaker’s feelings.

c. The audience did not like the speaker.

d. The speech was too informal for the occasion.

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

6. Norm was asked to speak at the retirement dinner for his boss, and he really wanted to make a good impression. He spoke about every good quality his boss had and embellished it until his praise was so lavish that his boss was thoroughly embarrassed. What aspect of decorum did Norm violate?

a. length

b. formality

c. intensity

d. resonance

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

7. All speakers try to evoke a sense of common bonds among listeners and between the audience and themselves. This is known as __________.

a. identification

b. formality

c. decorum

d. resonance

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

8. Athena told her audience, “We have all seen the struggles of the foster children in our system and if we continue to work together we can create a program where every child will benefit.” What is she using to create decorum in her speech?

a. ethos

b. intensity

c. formality

d. identification

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

9. Forensic speaking would typically be used by __________.

a. a doctor

b. a professor

c. a lawyer

d. a student

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

10. Which question does deliberative speaking aim to answer?

a. What’s my purpose?

b. Who is right?

c. What shall we do?

d. Who is my target audience?

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

11. Public debates are a form of __________.

a. deliberative speaking

b. ceremonial speaking

c. forensic speaking

d. epideictic speaking

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

12. Which situation is an occasion for deliberative speaking?

a. introducing the guest speaker at the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner

b. discussing an upcoming class project with your project group

c. giving a toast at your best friend’s wedding

d. presenting an employee of the year award at the company’s annual dinner

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

13. Deliberative speaking is the result of what situation?

a. the need to make a decision

b. the need to empower others

c. the need to understand a concept

d. the need to establish justice

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

14. Your active participation in the public forum is most likely to come through __________.

a. community service and involvement

b. group presentations

c. speeches of greeting

d. speeches of tribute

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

15. A group presentation consisting of several panelists each discussing a different aspect of the general topic is known as a __________.

a. motion

b. symposium

c. public hearing

d. testimony

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

16. There were four speakers on stage at the event and each one discussed a different feature of the proposed construction project. This is an example of a __________.

a. panel

b. forum

c. symposium

d. debate

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

17. Corinne had such a strong opinion on the topic that everyone in the room decided to go along with her ideas. The groups’ acceptance demonstrates the concept of __________.

a. a symposium

b. forensic speaking

c. decorum

d. groupthink

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

18. In parliamentary procedure, the __________ is used to propose what the group should do.

a. motion

b. debate

c. chair

d. groupthink

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

19. Aroon was happy he attended the event because he was able to hear both the Democratic candidate and Republican candidate speak about their plans to cut taxes. What type of group presentation did he attend?

a. panel

b. debate

c. symposium

d. forum

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

20. What is an example of a loaded question that a listener might ask of a speaker?

a. “How much toxic waste is currently in our waterway?”

b. “Are there things consumers can do to help limit toxic waste?”

c. “Where did you find your information on toxic waste removal methods?”

d. “Have you stopped pouring toxic waste into the waterway?”

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

21. The strength of a ceremonial speech depends primarily on the __________.

a. speaker’s ability to use words and images to capture the occasion

b. speaker’s ability to use compelling reasoning

c. uniform worn by the speaker

d. clarity of the informative strategies

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

22. A speaker would use an epideictic speech when __________.

a. teaching a class

b. presenting an award at a meeting

c. describing a timeline of events

d. informing the audience about a new trend

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

23. Ceremonial speeches tend to __________.

a. address the question of how to solve human problems

b. focus on values that draw people together

c. concern themselves with matters of justice

d. promote unified groupthink

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

24. James spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony about the pride the new building would bring to the community. Many audience members nodded their head in agreement. Their agreement is an example of __________.

a. decorum

b. reinforcement

c. resonance

d. consonance

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

25. The speaker’s ability to articulate the audience’s unexpressed feelings is called ________, because the speaker’s words echo listeners’ feelings.

a. resonance

b. decorum

c. reinforcement

d. erudition

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

26. One goal of a speech of introduction is to __________.

a. entertain the audience

b. give the listeners relevant information about the speaker

c. lavishly praise the speaker

d. provide a description of the specific purpose

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

27. Mollie told the board members that she was honored to introduce Carson as the new executive vice president of marketing where she knew he would develop new ideas and take the company far. What type of speech did Mollie give?

a. testimonial

b. acceptance

c. commemorative

d. resonance

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

28. What are examples of speeches of tribute?

a. testimonials, eulogies, toasts, and roasts

b. symposia, group discussions, and forums

c. pep talks, commencement addresses, and after-dinner speeches

d. epideictic, forensic, and deliberative speeches

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

29. A eulogy should __________.

a. focus on the honoree’s virtues.

b. magnify the person’s weaknesses and minimize his or her strengths.

c. emphasize the speaker’s relationship with the honoree.

d. offer lavish praise of the person being honored.

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

30. A(n) __________ is a testimonial speech that honors the dead by celebrating the essential character of the person.

a. eulogy

b. toast

c. roast

d. epideictic

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

31. Which type of speech of tribute always employs humor?

a. eulogy

b. toast

c. testimonial

d. roast

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

32. What is a common characteristic of commemorative celebrations?

a. honors and pokes fun

b. celebrates one key feature of the occasion

c. praises the accomplishments of the honorees

d. refers to and emphasizes the event being celebrated

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

33. Each year the leader of the local NAACP gives a speech on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This type of speech is a(n) __________.

a. commemorative celebration

b. acceptance speech

c. epideictic speech

d. forensic speaking

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

34. When giving a(n) __________, you should express gratitude, thank those who made your accomplishments possible, and indicate that you understand the values that the award represents.

a. roast

b. acceptance speech

c. toast

d. presentation speech

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

35. Many organizations begin meetings with a __________, which helps to set the thematic agenda for the group and aims to create unity and a sense of community.

a. forensic speech

b. eulogy

c. roast

d. keynote speech

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

36. Which of these speeches would combine ceremonial and deliberative goals?

a. delivering a commencement speech at a university graduation

b. toasting a couple on the occasion of their wedding

c. giving a sales presentation to the management of a firm

d. presenting an award to the employee of the year

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

37. What element is essential to the effectiveness of both roasts and after-dinner speeches?

a. the effective use of humor

b. the speaker’s balance of forensic and epideictic speaking

c. the brevity of the speech

d. the focus on deliberative goals

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

38. You are writing an after-dinner speech for a gathering of student government representatives from different universities. It is important for the speech to be humorous. The safest use of humor is __________.

a. entertaining humor that avoids challenging the listeners

b. humor aimed at gender differences that are familiar to every college student

c. humor that makes fun of yourself with which listeners can identify

d. jokes aimed at commonly held ethnic or racial stereotypes

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

39. A nominating speech is used to __________.

a. downplay the importance of the office.

b. show the fitness of the candidate for office.

c. offer informal support for the candidate but not officially nominate him or her.

d. accept the candidacy position.

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

40. The speech given by leaders on taking office is known as a(n) __________.

a. inaugural address

b. acceptance speech

c. keynote speech

d. speech of welcome

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

Essay Questions

41. Explain how occasions create constraints for speeches and how absolute those constraints are. Give an example of an occasion, the constraints it presents, and how a speaker might go beyond those constraints.

• What’s needed for a speech to fit a particular occasion influences the development of that speech.
• The three premises about how an occasion constrains a speech are (1) speeches are presented for specific occasion, (2) occasions create constraints, and (3) constraints are not absolute.
• As an example, in his 2007 speech at Harvard, Bill Gates talked about how to make capitalism more creative to help poor people. A commencement address has scripted content, but Gates’s speech went beyond a celebration of financial success to challenge the audience to think about success differently.
• Student examples will vary.

Learning Objective: 16.1 Explain how the nature of the speaking occasion and the purpose influence the speech.

Topic: Fitting Your Speech to the Occasion

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

42. What is meant by the phrase “constraints are not absolute?”

• While a speaker needs to satisfy the expectations associated with the occasion, there is still ample room for creative and strategic choices.
• A speech should meet the expectations of the audience but also go beyond what they expect to hear.
• This might be done by introducing a new concept that the audience is unaware of which might transform their current way of thinking.
• The speaker both responds to and actively shapes the rhetorical situation and should make strategic choices along the way.

Learning Objective: 16.1 Explain how the nature of the speaking occasion and the purpose influence the speech.

Topic: Fitting Your Speech to the Occasion

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

43. A decorous speech conforms to audience expectations. What five elements are associated with these expectations? What are the key features of each that distinguish them from the others?

• Audiences expect six elements in a decorous speech: (1) formality, (2) length, (3) emotion, (4) intensity, (5) supporting material, and (6) identification.
• Formality defines the level of style of the speech, ranging from formal to informal.
• Some situations demand length and others encourage brevity.
• To be effective, rhetoric must engage the emotions of the audience. This must be appropriate and balanced.
• The amount of intensity or emphasis can be difficult to gauge but as speakers gain experience, they develop an almost-intuitive sense of what an occasion calls for.
• Some situations demand different amounts and types of support than other speaking situations.
• Different speech situations demand a different emphasis on shared connection, or identification. Most speakers try to evoke a sense of common bonds among listeners and between the audience and themselves.

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

44. Explain why entertainment is not the only purpose of a speech for a special occasion.

• The idea that the only purpose for a special occasion speech is to entertain is misleading.
• There may be situations where entertaining is not the goal at all.
• Many speeches designed to entertain have an underlying message.
• A speaker may use an entertaining speech to “lighten the load” of a more serious situation.
• A special occasion speech may be used to strengthen commitment.
• It is important for the speaker to know the purpose of a special occasion speech and make strategic choices to accomplish this goal.

Learning Objective: 16.2 Prepare a speech characterized by decorum, or “fittingness to the occasion.”

Topic: The Concept of Decorum

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

45. Discuss the role of deliberative speaking in the five most common settings in which it occurs. What makes each setting distinct?

• In community service, a speaker may need to represent his or her point of view in speeches that contribute to the public forum.
• In oral reports, a speaker may attempt to influence the decisions of business or government.
• In group presentations, a speaker may have to present a group report, speak in small group settings, or chair group meetings.
• In public hearings and debates, a speaker may give testimony aimed at persuading decision makers.
• After speeches, a speaker may respond to questions that call for clarification of information or defend his or her position on a particular point.

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

46. Describe a loaded question, and provide an example. How can it affect the way a speaker answers questions?

• A loaded question presupposes a value judgment adverse to the speaker.
• Those who are critical or skeptical of a speaker might use a loaded question to discredit him or her.
• An example of a loaded question is “Have you stopped stealing funds from the city?” This question might not reveal actual facts that have occurred but puts doubt in the listeners’ minds. A “yes” would imply he or she had been stealing funds, and a “no” would imply, he or she is still stealing funds.
• To respond to a loaded question, the speaker should identify the unsupported assumption.
• Student examples may vary.

Learning Objective: 16.3 Explain the nature of deliberative speaking and develop various kinds of deliberative speeches.

Topic: Deliberative Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

47. Describe the roles of “presence” and “resonance” within a ceremonial speech.

• Ceremonial speeches should build a sense of community between the speaker and listeners and among the listeners themselves.
• A speaker should create a sense of presence for the idea they are presenting and bring it to the front of people’s minds.
• A ceremonial speech emphasizes values which draw people together and create this sense of presence.
• Resonance is a reflection of the speaker’s ability to articulate the audience’s unexpressed feelings.
• The speaker’s words should resonate with the audience because they feel the same way.
• Resonance helps the speaker better identify with the audience.

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

48. What are the four general categories your textbook outlines for ceremonial speeches? Identify a specific type of speech in each category, and provide an actual or hypothetical example of such a speech.

• Speeches of greeting: possible speeches are introductions and speeches of welcome.
• Speeches of tribute: possible speeches are testimonials, eulogies, toasts, and roasts.
• Commemorative celebration speeches are delivered on the occasion of important events.
• Speeches marking awards: possible speeches are presentation speeches and acceptance speeches.
• The example in each category should identify an occasion (such as a funeral), an appropriate speech (such as a eulogy), and a short list of content items that might be appropriate.

Learning Objective: 16.4 Explain the nature of ceremonial speaking and develop various kinds of ceremonial speeches.

Topic: Ceremonial Speaking

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

49. What are the purposes of a keynote speech? Why should a keynote speech strive to be multivocal?

• The keynote speech draws together and defines the diverse members of the audience, bringing them together as a community.
• The keynote speech helps to set the thematic elements of the meeting, such as topics and issues that will dominate the meeting.
• A keynote speech should be multivocal or capable of being heard in positive, but different ways by different listeners.
• Polysemic messages are multivocal because they have different dimensions that affect people in various ways.

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

50. How do candidacy and election speeches combine deliberative and ceremonial goals? How might they do so effectively? Are there any deliberative and ceremonial goals that might be especially difficult to combine?

• Nominating and acceptance speeches and inaugural addresses all combine deliberative and ceremonial goals.
• Nominating speeches attempt to persuade people to support a candidate and to draw audiences together around common values.
• Acceptance speeches celebrate the significance of the office and attempt to sway the undecided.
• Inaugural addresses attempt to unify audiences as well as promote an agenda to be pursued.
• The answer should identify tensions between goals, such as laying out a platform in an inaugural speech, which might make identification with those benefiting from the status quo more difficult.

Learning Objective: 16.5 Develop types of speeches that combine deliberative and ceremonial elements.

Topic: Speeches Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It