CHAPTER 14: SPEAKING TO INFORM AND PERSUADE

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. In a(n)___________, the speaker will generally present a noncontroversial topic.
2. informative speech
3. persuasive speech
4. ethical speech
5. speech to entertain
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. When you give this type of speech, you attempt primarily to move your audience to a new belief, attitude, or behavior.
2. An informative speech
3. A persuasive speech
4. An ethical speech
5. A speech to entertain

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. When you give this type of speech, you attempt to enlighten audience members by describing, explaining, or instructing.
2. An informative speech
3. A persuasive speech
4. An ethical speech
5. A speech to entertain
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. Which type of speech can be classified by (a) a belief in whether something is true or not, (b) a belief in whether someone or something has worth or not, or (c) a belief in whether a course of action should be followed or not?
2. A controversial speech
3. An informative speech
4. An unethical speech
5. A persuasive speech

Answer: D

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. When political candidates carefully check every new opinion poll, and adjust their speeches accordingly, what fact about persuasive speaking is being demonstrated?
2. It is incremental
3. It can be ethical
4. It is not coercive
5. It is carefully planned

Answer: A

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. Sam is giving a speech on how to use a new computer operating system. What type of speech will he likely give?
2. An informative speech
3. A persuasive speech
4. An ethical speech
5. A speech to entertain
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. Jorge is giving a speech explaining why audience members should purchase a new computer operating system. What type of speech will he likely give?
2. An informative speech
3. A persuasive speech
4. An ethical speech
5. A speech to entertain
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. Miranda is giving a speech on the differences between Apple and Microsoft computer systems. She is not giving a preference to either. What type of speech will she likely give?
2. An informative speech
3. A persuasive speech
4. An ethical speech
5. A speech to entertain
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. Christina works for a state university. She has been asked to speak on a new process for collecting research data. She believes in this new method and is excited to let others know about the value of such a method. She hopes her audience will understand the value she sees in the new method, and intends to propose its benefits to the audience. What unstated assumption can we make about Christina’s speech?
2. It will be an informative speech.
3. It will be a persuasive speech.
4. It will be an unethical speech.
5. It will necessarily be the first increment of her speech.

Answer: B
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. Fagan is trying to convince an audience about the benefits of a new cleaning product. He wants them to understand what it does and that it’s the best product out there. He only has this opportunity to change their attitudes about the product. He plans to show a product demonstration that he hopes the audience will enjoy. He realizes the demonstration is a bit misleading, but he is convinced it’s for the audience’s good to try the product. What unstated assumption can we make about Fagan’s speech?
2. It will be an informative speech.
3. It will be a speech to entertain.
4. It will be an unethical speech.
5. It will necessarily be the first increment of his speech.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

1. A(n) _____________ is generally worded to stress audience knowledge, ability, or both.
2. informative purpose statement
3. signpost
4. persuasive purpose statement
5. motivated sequence

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Words or phrases that emphasize the importance of what you are about to say are referred to as a(n) _____________.
2. informative purpose statement
3. signpost
4. persuasive purpose statement
5. motivated sequence
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. The level of commitment and attention that listeners devote to a speech is called _____________.
2. audience involvement
3. signpost
4. audience participation
5. audience demographics
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Having your listeners actively do something during your speech is referred to as _____________.
2. audience involvement
3. signposts
4. audience participation
5. audience demographics
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Humans are more likely to understand information that is stated more than once. This is a useful way to stress important points in your speech through ____________.
2. transitions
3. overemphasis
4. signposts
5. repetition
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Another technique for effective informative speaking is to employ ____________, which involves using precise wording and avoiding jargon.
2. dumbed down language
3. clear, simple language
4. redundancy
5. signposts
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. When you increase audience involvement in your speech by announcing a question-and-answer period at the end, it is important to _______________.
2. answer the question briefly
3. ignore questions which seem to suggest you are biased
4. remember every last detail of the question, even if some of it is irrelevant
5. respond in as much detail as possible about all aspects of the question

Answer: A

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Margret is speaking about the graphics program Adobe Photoshop. She begins by speaking about how to open an image in the program. This is a one-step process. As she continues, she speaks about how to use several tools to combine images seamlessly. How is she making it easy for her audience to listen?
2. She is limiting the amount of information she presents.
3. She is transitioning from familiar to newer information.
4. She is transitioning from simple to more complex information.
5. She is emphasizing important points.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Alan is a fifth grade teacher. He is teaching his students about photosynthesis. He begins by reminding them that plants need sunlight to grow. Later, he continues by describing how plants are able to synthesize food directly from carbon dioxide and water using energy from light. How is he making it easy for his students to listen?
2. He is limiting the amount of information he presents.
3. He is transitioning from familiar to newer information.
4. He is transitioning from simple to more complex information.
5. He is emphasizing important points.
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Paolo is teaching his students how to write a lesson plan. He has his students write a basic outline for a lesson plan as he speaks. Why?
2. He is defining a specific informative purpose.
3. He is creating signposts.
4. He is generating audience participation.
5. He is determining audience demographics.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Pasqual begins his speech preparation by writing, “After listening to my speech, my audience will be able to discuss the pros and cons of using drones in warfare.” What is he doing?
2. He is defining a specific informative purpose.
3. He is creating signposts.
4. He is generating audience participation.
5. He is determining audience demographics.
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Rafael is preparing to speak about the degradation of salt marshes. As he prepares he writes, “After listening to my speech, my audience will be able to identify the causes of over-salination and degradation of salt marshes.” He begins his speech by saying, “Coastal salt marshes are a safe harbor for plant and animal life, but the over-salination of these marshes is degrading them.” He then transitions to a detailed discussion about the pH levels needed for certain life forms to thrive. He adds, “Now this is an important point.” He then tells them, “Salt marshes have receded by 10 percent in the past five years.” What is the key verb from his informative purpose statement?
2. prepares
3. identify
4. degrading
5. receded
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Rafael is preparing to speak about the degradation of salt marshes. As he prepares he writes, “After listening to my speech, my audience will be able to identify the causes of over-salination and degradation of salt marshes.” He begins his speech by saying, “Coastal salt marshes are a safe harbor for plant and animal life, but the over-salination of these marshes is degrading them.” He then transitions to a detailed discussion about the pH levels needed for certain life forms to thrive. He adds, “Now this is an important point.” He then tells them, “Salt marshes have receded by 10 percent in the past five years.” What signpost does he use?
2. “After listening to my speech, my audience will be able to identify the causes of over-salination and degradation of salt marshes.”
3. “Coastal salt marshes are a safe harbor for plant and animal life, but the over-salination of these marshes is degrading them.”
4. He adds, “Now this is an important point.”
5. He then tells them, “Salt marshes have receded by 10 percent in the past five years.”
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. Rafael is preparing to speak about the degradation of salt marshes. As he prepares he writes, “After listening to my speech, my audience will be able to identify the causes of over-salination and degradation of salt marshes.” He begins his speech by saying, “Coastal salt marshes are a safe harbor for plant and animal life, but the over-salination of these marshes is degrading them.” He then transitions to a detailed discussion about the pH levels needed for certain life forms to thrive. He adds, “Now this is an important point.” He then tells them, “Salt marshes have receded by 10 percent in the past five years.” What is his thesis statement?
2. “After listening to my speech, my audience will be able to identify the causes of over-salination and degradation of salt marshes.”
3. “Coastal salt marshes are a safe harbor for plant and animal life, but the over-salination of these marshes is degrading them.”
4. He then transitions to a detailed discussion about the pH levels needed for certain life forms to thrive.
5. He then tells them, “Salt marshes have receded by 10 percent in the past five years.”
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

1. The believability of a speaker is called ___________, and is a perception in the minds of the audience.
2. competence
3. credibility
4. honesty
5. character
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. The elements in a speech which speak to the heart rather than the head are referred to as ______________.
2. Credibility
3. Persuasiveness
4. Logos
5. Pathos

Answer: D

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. Harold was persuasive partly because his audience perceived he was both enthusiastic and likable. What did Harold’s audience perceive that he had?
2. Charisma
3. Persuasiveness
4. Logos
5. Competence
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. Judith was persuasive partly because her audience perceived she had expertise on the topic of global warming: she had just completed a six-month scientific expedition to Antarctica. What did Judith possess?
2. Charisma
3. Persuasiveness
4. Pathos
5. Competence
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. Jonathan is perceived by his peers to be highly ethical, and someone who acts with integrity. What characteristic of credibility does this illustrate?
2. Charisma
3. Character
4. Pathos
5. Competence
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. Dana is persuasive because, above all, she appeals to her audience’s sense of reason. What type of appeal does this illustrate?
2. Ethos
3. Pathos
4. Logos
5. Charisma
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. Paul was standing for election for a major role on his school’s governing cabinet. Before giving his speech to the whole school, he conducted an audience analysis which showed that around twenty percent of the school was never going to vote for him whatever he said, while thirty percent were generally in favor of what he said, and the rest were undecided or wavering. What percentage of the school did he decide should be his target audience?
2. 100%
3. 50%
4. 30%
5. 20%

Answer: B

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

1. Reason-giving discourse that involves proposing claims and backing up those claims with proof is called ____________.
2. informative speaking
3. persuasive speaking
4. ethical speaking
5. speaking to entertain
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. When constructing an effective argument that you hope will change the behavior of your listeners, you should: structure your basic argument, describe the problem, describe the solution, and _______________.
2. describe the desired audience response
3. suggest an alternative approach
4. conclude the speech
5. put the solution into action

Answer: A

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. An important five-step organizational pattern for persuasive speeches is referred to as ___________.
2. the general purpose
3. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
4. a formal outline
5. motivational rhetoric
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. Analyze the statements below and identify the statement that exemplifies the need step establishing the problem.
2. I was canoeing down the Blackwater River last week when I encountered a duck trapped in the plastic rings from a six-pack of beer.
3. The prevalence of plastic waste is cluttering waterways, endangering wildlife, and damaging scenery on our planet.
4. Every small choice people make makes a big difference in the health of our planet.
5. Help protect our natural wonders!
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. Analyze the statements below and identify the statement that exemplifies the satisfaction step proposing a solution.
2. I was canoeing down the Blackwater River last week when I encountered a duck trapped in the plastic rings from a six-pack of beer.
3. The prevalence of plastic waste is cluttering waterways, endangering wildlife, and damaging scenery on our planet.
4. Every small choice people make makes a big difference in the health of our planet.
5. Help protect our natural wonders!
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. Statements explaining why your claims are true, along with evidence that backs up those claims are called ___________.
2. warrants
3. persuasion
4. proof
5. reason-giving discourses
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. Cameron is giving a speech about the dangers of gluten. Cameron begins, “Gluten is added to almost all the food we eat. This is a problem because people all over the world are having adverse reactions to it and don’t even know it’s in the food they eat. I have a friend who breaks out in hives every time he eats rice. He had no clue that gluten was in it! There is also a large anti-gluten movement. There are 15,000 people who have suffered from the effects of gluten and the movement is growing! If we remove unnecessary gluten from our food products, the majority of us can live healthier lives, unaffected by this byproduct.” How does Cameron describe the problem?
2. “Gluten is added to almost all the food we eat.”
3. “This is a problem because people all over the world are having adverse reactions to it and don’t even know it’s in the food they eat.”
4. “I have a friend who breaks out in hives every time he eats rice. He had no clue that gluten was in it!”
5. “If we remove unnecessary gluten from our food products, the majority of us can live healthier lives, unaffected by this byproduct.”
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. Cameron is giving a speech about the dangers of gluten. Cameron begins, “Gluten is added to almost all the food we eat. This is a problem because people all over the world are having adverse reactions to it and don’t even know it’s in the food they eat. I have a friend who breaks out in hives every time he eats rice. He had no clue that gluten was in it! There is also a large anti-gluten movement. There are 15,000 people who have suffered from the effects of gluten and the movement is growing! If we remove unnecessary gluten from our food products, the majority of us can live healthier lives, unaffected by this byproduct.” How does Cameron describe the solution?
2. “Gluten is added to almost all the food we eat.”
3. “This is a problem because people all over the world are having adverse reactions to it and don’t even know it’s in the food they eat.”
4. “I have a friend who breaks out in hives every time he eats rice. He had no clue that gluten was in it!”
5. “If we remove unnecessary gluten from our food products, the majority of us can live healthier lives, unaffected by this byproduct.”
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Logic, Ethics, and the Art of Persuasion

Objective: 14.4: Use logical reasoning to create an effective argument that is ethical as well as persuasive.

1. The primary components of reasoning are claims, subclaims, and ______________.
2. counter-claims
3. evidence
4. statements
5. warrants

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. A ____________is an expressed opinion that the speaker would like the audience to accept.
2. reason-giving discourse
3. statement
4. warrant
5. claim
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. A ____________ is a statement that justifies the use of evidence for a particular claim.
2. reason
3. point of view
4. fallacy
5. warrant

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. A ____________ is an error in logic.
2. falsity
3. mistake
4. fallacy
5. warrant
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. Supporting material that the speaker uses to attempt to prove any type of claim is called ___________.
2. ethos
3. proof
4. reason-giving discourses
5. evidence
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. Which best fits the description of a logical fallacy?
2. It is always intended to deceive.
3. It is mostly not recognized as such by the person using it.
4. It is never intended to deceive.
5. It is mostly recognized as such by the person using it.

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. “All this talk about ‘family values’ is hypocritical. Take old Gubbins there, who made a speech about the ‘sanctity of marriage’ last year. Now it turns out he was having an affair with his secretary, and his wife is suing him for divorce.” This is an example of a(n) ____________.
2. ad hominem fallacy
3. reductio ad absurdum fallacy
4. either-or fallacy
5. post hoc fallacy
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. A movie star is convincing the general public about the dangers of immunizing children. This is an example of a(n) ______________.
2. ad hominem fallacy
3. reductio ad absurdum fallacy
4. either-or fallacy
5. argumentum ad verecundiam fallacy
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. Steve is making a point that crime has gone up since state assistance to the poor has decreased. He says this although there is no scientific data that supports any link between the two ideas. This is an example of a(n) ______________.
2. ad hominem fallacy
3. reductio ad absurdum fallacy
4. post hoc fallacy
5. argumentum ad verecundiam fallacy
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. “If we allow the administration to raise tuition this year, soon they will be raising it every year, and before we know it only the wealthiest students will be able to go to school here.” This is an example of a(n) ______________.
2. ad hominem fallacy
3. reductio ad absurdum fallacy
4. either-or fallacy
5. argumentum ad verecundiam fallacy
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

1. Cameron is giving a speech about the dangers of gluten. Cameron begins, “Gluten is added to almost all the food we eat. This is a problem because people all over the world are having adverse reactions to it and don’t even know it’s in the food they eat. I have a friend who breaks out in hives every time he eats rice. He had no clue that gluten was in it! There is also a large anti-gluten movement. There are 15,000 people who have suffered from the effects of gluten and the movement is growing! If we remove unnecessary gluten from our food products, the majority of us can live healthier lives, unaffected by this byproduct.” What is the argumentum ad populum fallacy in this description?
2. “Gluten is added to almost all the food we eat.”
3. “This is a problem because people all over the world are having adverse reactions to it and don’t even know it’s in the food they eat.”
4. “There is also a large anti-gluten movement. There are 15,000 people who have suffered from the effects of gluten and the movement is growing!”
5. “If we remove unnecessary gluten from our food products, the majority of us can live healthier lives, unaffected by this byproduct.”
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.

SHORT ANSWER

51. What are two major types of speeches?

Answer: Informative Speeches and Persuasive Speeches.

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

52. Name two ways to emphasize important points in an informative speech.

Answer: Signposts and repetition.

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

53. Name two ways to generate audience involvement in an informative speech.

Answer: Through audience participation and having a question-and-answer period.

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

54. What is the main objective of a persuasive speech?

Answer: To move the audience to a specific, attainable attitude or behavior.

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

55. Name three characteristics that form judgments about the credibility of a speaker.

Answer: Competence, character, and charisma.

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

56. Compare informative speaking and persuasive speaking.

Main point: Informative and persuasive speeches have similarities and differences. Understanding how they compare can make a speaker more effective at using both of them.

Answers must include:
a) Informative speeches tend to be noncontroversial.

b) The informative speaker does not intend to change attitudes, whereas the persuasive speaker quite likely is trying to change attitudes.

c) Both speeches use purpose statements and both could make use of audience participation

and question-and-answer periods.

Answers may include:
a) Persuasion is incremental, whereas informative speeches may not be.
b) Persuasive speeches can be ethical.

A-head: Informing Versus Persuading

Objective: 14.1: Distinguish between speeches to inform and to persuade.

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

57. Describe how to make it easy for your audience to listen to an informative speech.

Main point: As you put your speech together, you should take into consideration techniques that recognize the way human beings process information.

Answers must include:
a) Limit the amount of information you present.
b) Transition from familiar to newer information.
c) Transition from simple to more complex information.

Answers may include:
a) You probably won’t have enough time to transmit all your research to your audience in one sitting; so try to make careful choices about the three to five main ideas you want to get across and then develop those ideas fully.

b) If you are giving a speech about how the stock market works, you could compare the daily activity of a broker with that of a salesperson in a retail store, or you could compare the idea of capital growth (a new concept to some listeners) with interest earned in a savings account (a more familiar concept). (Another illustration of the same point will also work here.)

c) An average college audience, for example, might be able to understand the complexities of genetic modification if you begin first with the concept of inherited characteristics. (Another illustration of the same point will also work here.)

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

58. Explain how to handle a question and answer period.

Main point: A question and answer period is one way to increase audience participation.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) Listen to the substance of the question.

b) Paraphrase confusing or quietly asked questions.
c) Avoid defensive reactions to questions.

d) Answer the question briefly.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) Don’t zero in on irrelevant details. If you are unsure of the substance of the question, ask the questioner to paraphrase it.
b) Even if the questioner seems to be calling you a liar or stupid or biased, try to listen to the substance of the question and not to the possible personal attack.

c) Check the questioner’s comprehension of your answer by observing his or her response after asking, “Does that answer your question?”

A-head: Techniques of Informative Speaking

Objective: 14.2: Explain the techniques of informative speaking and use them to present an effective informative speech.

59. Describe how a speaker can establish credibility with his or her audience in a persuasive speech.

Main point: Speakers must be believable in order to change the attitudes and beliefs of their audience.

Answers must include:
a) Competence refers to the speaker’s expertise on the topic. Sometimes this competence can come from personal experience that leads your audience to regard you as an authority on the topic; it can also come from the perception of thorough preparation and research.

b) Character involves the audience’s perception of your ethics and integrity.

c) Charisma is the audience’s perception of your enthusiasm (how you deliver your remarks) and likeability (which includes how friendly and genuine you are).

Answers may include:
a) Establishing common ground also builds some credibility with the audience.

b) History and research have shown that audiences are more likely to be persuaded by a charismatic speaker.

A-head: Techniques of Persuasive Speaking

Objective: 14.3: Explain the techniques of persuasive speaking and use them to present an effective persuasive speech.

60. Describe ways to structure your argument with solid reasoning.

Main point: Argumentation provides an audience with a series of statements, backed up with support, which then lead to the conclusion the speaker is trying to establish.

Answers must include:
a) A speaker uses claims – expressed opinions that the speaker would like the audience to accept – and subclaims to back them up.

b) The speaker then uses evidence: the supporting material that the speaker uses to prove any type of claim.
c) The Toulmin Model calls for every claim to be supported not only with evidence but with a warrant that ties the claim and evidence together.

Answers may include:
a) A claim that will be accepted at face value by one audience may need a number of subclaims with another audience.
b) With evidence, your objective is to find the perfect example, description, analogy, anecdote, statistic, or quotation to establish the truth of your claim in the minds of your specific audience.

c) The point of the Toulmin model is to help you examine every claim to determine if it requires evidence to back it up, and then to examine all of the evidence to see if a warrant is needed to justify the claim.

A-head: Structuring Reasoning Within Your Argument

Objective: 14.5: Determine the necessary claims you need to make and back them up effectively.