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Chapter 1: Speech and Higher Education 1.1 Multiple Choice 1. When we refer to public speaking as a social act, we mean public speaking a. only involves the speaker. b. only involves the audience. c. is a personal involvement. d. involves the speaker and audience. Answer: d. involves the speaker and audience. Rationale: Public speaking is inherently a social act because it involves a speaker delivering a message to an audience. The interaction between the speaker and the audience is crucial in public speaking, as the audience's reactions and understanding play a significant role in the success of the speech. 2. When a person considers speaking publicly, one of his/her concerns should include a. his/her pounding chest and dry mouth. b. his/her own cultural background. c. his/her audience's pounding chest and dry mouth. d. his/her audience's cultural background. Answer: d. his/her audience's cultural background. Rationale: Considering the audience's cultural background is important in public speaking because it affects how the audience perceives and understands the message. Understanding the audience's cultural norms, values, and beliefs can help the speaker tailor their message to be more effective and relatable. 3. Which of the following is a way to learn more about public speaking? a. practicing new behaviors and skills in the classroom b. practicing new techniques out on your friends c. practicing listening skills d. all of the above Answer: d. all of the above Rationale: Learning more about public speaking involves a combination of practicing new behaviors and skills, trying out new techniques in different settings, and improving listening skills. All of these approaches can help a speaker become more confident and effective in public speaking. 4. Public speaking skills can help you a. personally, publicly, and professionally. b. personally and professionally. c. privately and professionally. d. publicly and professionally. Answer: a. personally, publicly, and professionally. Rationale: Public speaking skills are versatile and can benefit individuals in various aspects of their lives. They can help improve personal communication, enhance public speaking abilities, and advance professional careers by increasing confidence and persuasion skills. 5. Consumer imperative a. brings people together to share their perspectives and values. b. stresses the active role that listeners play in social communities. c. establishes what is right or wrong in society. d. provides information on consumer spending. Answer: b. stresses the active role that listeners play in social communities. Rationale: The consumer imperative emphasizes the importance of listeners in social communities. It highlights how listeners actively engage with and interpret messages, shaping their understanding and contributing to the collective meaning-making process. 6. All of the following are imperative for studying public speaking EXCEPT a. social imperative. b. consumer imperative. c. oral imperative. d. intellectual imperative. Answer: c. oral imperative. Rationale: The oral imperative is not typically considered a key aspect of studying public speaking. While oral communication is important, it is not a specific imperative for studying public speaking, which focuses more on the social, consumer, and intellectual aspects of communication. 7. When a speaker learns to expertly criticize the speeches of others, it will help the speaker to a. hone their own skills. b. prejudge the speech quality. c. listen only for facts. d. become emotionally invested in the speaker's message. Answer: a. hone their own skills. Rationale: Critically analyzing and critiquing speeches of others can help a speaker improve their own public speaking skills. By identifying strengths and weaknesses in other speeches, a speaker can learn valuable lessons and apply them to their own speaking style. 8. Ong describes the characteristics of orality as integrative, redundant, traditionalist, concrete, situational, and a. relative. b. segregated. c. participatory. d. none of the above. Answer: c. participatory. Rationale: Ong describes orality as participatory, meaning that oral communication often involves active participation from both the speaker and the audience. Unlike written communication, which can be more one-sided, oral communication typically requires interaction and engagement from both parties. 9. The following are the basic elements of public speaking EXCEPT a. speaker. b. morals. c. message. d. listener. Answer: b. morals. Rationale: While morals can certainly be a part of a public speech, they are not considered one of the basic elements of public speaking. The basic elements typically include the speaker, message, and audience (listener). 10. Speaking is a transaction involving a speaker, a message, and a. a speaker. b. listeners. c. an interpreter. d. context. Answer: b. listeners. Rationale: Speaking is a transactional process that involves a speaker delivering a message to an audience (listeners). The audience plays a crucial role in the communication process, as their reception and interpretation of the message influence the effectiveness of the speech. 11. Speaking is a transaction involving a message, listeners, and a(n) a. speaker. b. listeners. c. interpreter. d. context. Answer: a. speaker. Rationale: The speaker is an essential part of the speaking transaction, as they are the source of the message being delivered to the listeners. Without a speaker, there would be no message to communicate. 12. Speaking is a transaction involving a speaker, listeners, and a. a moral frame. b. good sense. c. ethics. d. a message. Answer: d. a message. Rationale: In the context of public speaking, the message is the content being conveyed by the speaker to the listeners. It is a crucial element of the speaking transaction, as it is what the speaker is trying to communicate to the audience. 13. When a speaker makes local references and shapes his/her examples for a particular situation, which context is the speaker addressing? a. the need to understand the limitations of talk b. the need to recognize that all people are different and complex c. the need to adapt the messages and him/herself to particular audiences d. the need to consciously seek and react to audience feedback Answer: c. the need to adapt the messages and him/herself to particular audiences Rationale: By making local references and shaping examples for a particular situation, the speaker is addressing the need to adapt the message and themselves to the specific audience they are speaking to. This demonstrates an awareness of audience characteristics and the importance of tailoring the message to be relevant and relatable to the audience. 14. Which of the following is an example of feedback? a. Michael trying to find the right words to say to his girlfriend. b. Brad listening to the loud music on the radio. c. Susan's confused look on her face as she listened to a speaker. d. Sharon trying to understand Michael's words. Answer: c. Susan's confused look on her face as she listened to a speaker. Rationale: Feedback in the context of public speaking refers to the audience's response to the speaker's message. Susan's confused look indicates that she is processing the message and reacting to it, which is a form of feedback. 15. The __________ is the source of the speech message. a. speaker b. interpreter c. context d. listener Answer: a. speaker Rationale: The speaker is the source of the speech message, as they are the ones delivering the message to the audience. They are responsible for creating and delivering the content of the speech. 16. Jane was delivering a speech on nuclear waste when she noticed the confused looks on the faces of some of the members of the audience. She responded by saying, "Let me give you an example of the concept." What is she doing? a. building her credibility b. compensating for the situation c. losing her train of thought d. responding to the feedback of the audience Answer: d. responding to the feedback of the audience Rationale: Jane's response to the audience's confused looks demonstrates her awareness of their feedback. By offering an example to clarify the concept, she is adjusting her message in response to the audience's needs, which is an important skill in public speaking. 17. Which of the following is NOT recommended for coping with stage fright? a. preparing ahead of time b. breathing slowly and deeply c. letting your imagination run wild d. thinking about your ideas Answer: c. letting your imagination run wild Rationale: Coping with stage fright typically involves strategies such as preparing ahead of time, practicing deep breathing, and focusing on the content of the speech. Allowing your imagination to run wild can increase anxiety and make it harder to focus on delivering the speech effectively. 18. Another word for speaker credibility is a. ethos. b. logos. c. pathos. d. mythos. Answer: a. ethos. Rationale: Speaker credibility, or ethos, refers to the audience's perception of the speaker's credibility, authority, and trustworthiness. It is an important aspect of persuasive speaking, as audiences are more likely to be persuaded by speakers they perceive as credible. 19. Your reputation for reliability, truthfulness, and concern for others is related to which quality of successful public speaking? a. respect for human diversity b. ethics c. knowledge d. competence Answer: b. ethics Rationale: Ethics in public speaking refer to the speaker's moral principles and values, including their honesty, integrity, and respect for others. A speaker's reputation for reliability, truthfulness, and concern for others is a reflection of their ethical conduct, which is an important quality in successful public speaking. 20. The skyhook principle is used when speaking to an audience a. who has the same values as the speaker. b. in which the speaker finds a moral frame. c. who has different values than the speaker. d. where the speaker does not know the values of the audience. Answer: b. in which the speaker finds a moral frame. Rationale: The skyhook principle refers to finding a moral frame or common ground with an audience, even if their values are different from the speaker's. It is used to establish a connection with the audience and make the message more persuasive and relatable. 21. Paulo was giving his first speech when he began to experience shortness of breath, Paulo was experiencing a. speech apprehension. b. a heart attack. c. speech toxicity. d. an adrenaline rush. Answer: a. speech apprehension. Rationale: Speech apprehension, also known as stage fright, is a common feeling of nervousness or anxiety that speakers may experience before or during a speech. It can manifest as physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or trembling. 22. In which part of the speech should you state the main or central idea? a. conclusion b. beginning of the body c. right in the middle of the speech d. introduction Answer: d. introduction Rationale: The main or central idea of a speech should be stated in the introduction to provide the audience with a clear understanding of what the speech will be about. This helps to set the tone and direction for the rest of the speech. 23. In what part of the speech do you recapture the main idea of the speech and wrap it up? a. body b. transitions c. introduction d. conclusion Answer: d. conclusion Rationale: The conclusion of a speech is where the speaker recaptures the main idea or central message of the speech and wraps it up. It provides a summary of the key points discussed in the body of the speech and reinforces the main message to leave a lasting impression on the audience. 24. In developing the body of the speech, speakers should a. draw on their own knowledge as they develop their ideas. b. identify the theme of the speech. c. place their weakest arguments first. d. avoid emotional appeals. Answer: a. draw on their own knowledge as they develop their ideas. Rationale: When developing the body of a speech, speakers should draw on their own knowledge and expertise to develop their ideas. This helps to ensure that the content is well-informed and credible. Speakers should also consider the needs and interests of the audience to create a compelling and engaging presentation. 1.2 True/False 1. Public speaking can be characterized as a social and personal act. Answer: True Rationale: Public speaking is social because it involves interaction between the speaker and the audience, and it is personal because it reflects the speaker's thoughts, feelings, and personality. 2. Public speaking is natural, requiring little practice. Answer: False Rationale: While some people may have a natural talent for public speaking, most individuals require practice to become effective speakers. Practice helps improve confidence, delivery, and message clarity. 3. Public speaking is a social act because it involves the audience and the speaker. Answer: True Rationale: Public speaking is inherently social because it involves a speaker delivering a message to an audience. The interaction between the speaker and the audience is a key aspect of public speaking. 4. When a person considers speaking publicly, one of the speaker's concerns should be the cultural background of the audience. Answer: True Rationale: Considering the cultural background of the audience is important in public speaking because it affects how the audience perceives and understands the message. Adapting the message to be culturally relevant can enhance its effectiveness. 5. When a person considers speaking publicly, one of his/her concerns should be his/her rapid heart rate and sweaty hands. Answer: False Rationale: While nervousness is common in public speaking, concerns about physical symptoms such as a rapid heart rate and sweaty hands should not be a primary focus. Instead, speakers should focus on preparing and delivering their message effectively. 6. Practicing your speeches on your family and friends can help improve your communication skills. Answer: True Rationale: Practicing speeches in front of family and friends can help speakers become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience and receive feedback on their delivery and message clarity. 7. A public speaking course teaches you as much about listening as it does about making speeches. Answer: True Rationale: Effective public speaking requires not only the ability to speak well but also the ability to listen actively. A public speaking course often emphasizes the importance of listening skills in communication. 8. Your book can be used as a tool for analyzing speeches. Answer: True Rationale: Analyzing speeches can help speakers understand effective communication techniques and improve their own speaking skills. Using a textbook or other resources can provide valuable insights into speech analysis. 9. Public speaking is a forum for bringing people together. Answer: True Rationale: Public speaking can bring people together by providing a platform for sharing ideas, opinions, and perspectives. It can facilitate communication and understanding among diverse groups of people. 10. The importance of speech training as part of a liberal arts education is a 20th Century concept. Answer: False Rationale: The importance of speech training as part of a liberal arts education dates back to ancient times, with the Greeks and Romans emphasizing the importance of rhetoric and public speaking in education. 11. Public speaking is an interactive process. Answer: True Rationale: Public speaking involves an interaction between the speaker and the audience. The audience's reactions and responses influence the speaker's delivery, and the speaker's message is shaped by the audience's feedback. 12. Speakers and audiences have clearly defined roles in the public speaking arena. Answer: True Rationale: In public speaking, the speaker's role is to deliver a message effectively, while the audience's role is to listen, interpret, and respond to the message. These roles are generally understood and accepted in the public speaking arena. 13. To be successful, a speaker needs feedback as to what has gone on in the listeners' minds during the speech. Answer: True Rationale: Feedback from the audience is essential for a speaker to gauge the effectiveness of their message and delivery. It helps the speaker understand how the audience is receiving and interpreting the message, allowing them to adjust their approach if needed. 14. Context, in communication, refers to the physical setting, social expectations, and cultural rules. Answer: True Rationale: Context in communication refers to the surrounding circumstances that influence the interpretation of a message. This includes the physical setting where the communication takes place, as well as the social and cultural norms that shape how the message is understood. 15. Nodding the head in response to a speaker is an example of feedback. Answer: True Rationale: Nodding the head is a nonverbal cue that indicates agreement, understanding, or engagement with the speaker. It is a form of feedback that shows the speaker how the audience is responding to the message. 16. The listener is the recipient of the message. Answer: True Rationale: In the communication process, the listener is the recipient of the message delivered by the speaker. The listener's role is to receive, interpret, and respond to the message. 17. Each time that you speak publicly you are contributing to a process of community building. Answer: True Rationale: Public speaking can contribute to community building by bringing people together, sharing ideas, and fostering understanding among individuals. It can create a sense of unity and shared purpose among community members. 18. Morals and ethics are the same thing. Answer: False Rationale: Morals refer to personal beliefs about right and wrong behavior, while ethics are principles that govern behavior in a specific context, such as professional ethics or ethical standards in a particular field. 19. The term, ethos, is closely associated with the emotional appeal of the speaker. Answer: False Rationale: Ethos is one of Aristotle's modes of persuasion and refers to the credibility or character of the speaker. It is not directly related to emotional appeal, which is known as pathos. 20. Aristotle's concept of ethos includes good sense, a good attitude, and good will. Answer: False Rationale: Aristotle's concept of ethos refers to the credibility of the speaker, which is based on factors such as competence, trustworthiness, and goodwill towards the audience. It does not specifically include a good attitude. 21. A speaker should change his/her ethical beliefs to those of the audience. Answer: False Rationale: A speaker should not change his/her ethical beliefs to align with those of the audience. Instead, the speaker should be true to his/her own beliefs and values while respecting the diversity of opinions within the audience. 22. Using the skyhook principle means that the speaker sets him/herself up for failure in the public speaking arena. Answer: False Rationale: The skyhook principle refers to finding a moral frame or common ground with the audience, even if their values are different from the speaker's. It is a useful technique for establishing a connection with the audience and making the message more persuasive. 23. Finding a moral frame demands that the speaker be true to what he/she believes. Answer: True Rationale: Finding a moral frame involves identifying a common value or principle that resonates with both the speaker and the audience. It requires the speaker to be true to his/her own beliefs while finding common ground with the audience. 24. The three components of a speech are the introduction, body, and conclusion. Answer: True Rationale: The introduction sets the stage for the speech, the body delivers the main content, and the conclusion summarizes the key points and reinforces the main message. 25. In developing the body of the speech, speakers should draw upon the knowledge of the audience. Answer: False Rationale: While speakers should consider the knowledge and background of the audience when developing the body of the speech, they should primarily draw upon their own knowledge and expertise to present the content effectively. 26. The three components of a speech are the introduction, message, and conclusion. Answer: False Rationale: The three components of a speech are typically considered to be the introduction, body, and conclusion. The message is the content of the speech, which is delivered in the body of the speech. 1.3 Short Answer 1. Explain how public speaking is seen as both a personal and social act. Answer: Public speaking is seen as a personal act because it involves an individual commitment to improve communication skills. Public speaking is seen as a social act because the speaker has to consider what is going to be said, to whom it is being said, and where it is being said. Public speaking is social because the speaker must think of the culture of the audience including age, gender, religion, political opinions, economic status, and ethnicity. 2. Describe the four ways to learn more about public speaking. Answer: (1) A speech classroom is a place to practice speeches because it provides a comfortable environment. (2) A person can practice the new skills on friends, in different situations, and in the classroom and receive feedback from the audience. (3) A person can develop consumer skills by becoming a more effective listener. By becoming a more effective listener there is less chance of prejudging. (4) The student can learn to effectively evaluate speeches and hone the skills to become a more productive member of society. 3. What are two imperatives for public speaking? Answer: There are three imperatives for public speaking are intellectual, social, and consumer. The student may choose two of the three. 4. List the four characteristics of orality. Answer: The four characteristics of orality are: (1) Speech tends to be integrative. (2) Speech tends to be redundant. (3) Speech tends to be concrete. (4) Speech is situational. 5. Explain what your textbook means by "Speaking tends to be redundant." Answer: Speaking tends to be redundant because the speaker tends to say the same message in a different way. Sometimes when a speaker sends a message it may not be clearly understood by the listener. When the speaker says the same message in another way, it may become clearer to the listener. Oral language is redundant or repetitious, with backlooping to help people keep up with the flow of the conversation. 6. What is meant by "speech is situational"? Answer: Speech is situational means that speaking occurs in the here and now. That is to say that what the speaker is saying is happening as he/she speaks and are those issues that are visible to the immediate environment of the listeners. 7. Explain why public speaking is an interactive process. Answer: A public speech is an exchange between a speaker and listeners in a public setting. The speaker creates and adapts a message to both the context and audience. The audience provides both verbal and nonverbal feedback. 8. What are the four basic elements in the speech-making process? Answer: The four basic elements are (1) speaker, (2) message, (3) listener, and (4) context. 9. Explain what is meant by "Speech is concrete." Answer: Speech tends to be concrete when references to particular places, events, and people help listeners visualize ideas—an important feature in oral communication. Speech is immediate, personal, and participatory—and therein lies its power. 10. If you were giving a speech to an audience, why would it be important to consider the moral frame of the audience? Answer: It is important to consider the moral frame of the audience because the moral frame is the values and beliefs of the audience. The speaker must understand the moral frame in order to develop the message to adapt to the audience's shared beliefs and values. 11. Explain Aristotle's three characteristics of ethos. Answer: Aristotle demonstrated ethos with others in the community based on (1) good sense, which is the speaker's knowledge and experience. (2) Good will is demonstrated by the sense of concern that the speaker has for him/her self as well as the needs of the audience. (3) Good morals are demonstrated through the speaker's ability to share the beliefs, visions, fears, and hopes of the audience. 12. Explain Donald Moon's skyhook principle. Answer: Moon's skyhook principle is based on the idea that a speaker may find him/her self speaking in front of an audience who may have different beliefs and backgrounds from the speaker's. In order to convince an audience that has different values to take an action, Moon suggests finding a "higher value, a higher appeal that will transcend your differences." In other words, the speaker must establish a common ground with the audience to motivate them to action. 13. Explain how finding a shared moral frame demands that you are true to your own beliefs. Answer: A speaker does not have to change his/her belief system in order to find a common ground with his/her audience. The focus for the speaker is to share the commonalty of the belief system that will work toward a common goal for the speaker and the audience. 14. What are the three parts of a speech? Answer: They are the (1) introduction, (2) body, and (3) conclusion. 15. What is the function of a speech introduction? Answer: The introduction identifies the main or central idea to help the listeners follow the ideas through to the end of the speech. 1.4 Essay Questions 1. As a student in a public speaking class, list and describe the four ways to learn public speaking. Answer: (1) A student can use the classroom as a laboratory for practicing public speaking skills. The skills include delivering a speech in front of a lectern instead of behind the lectern. A student can also develop new skills such as using PowerPoint presentations, having access to the World Wide Web, and using visual aids effectively. The classroom is an environment to practice the speech. (2) A second way that a student can learn public speaking is by practicing the skills in front of family and friends, in church, at work, or other situations. The speechmaking process requires a lot of practice, so it is important to try the skills in as many situations as possible. (3) A third way that a student can learn public speaking is by practicing listening skills. Listening is an important part of the communication process. By developing effective listening skills, a person is able to accurately understand the message of the speaker without prejudging. (4) The fourth way that a student can learn public speaking skills is having the ability to analyze speeches effectively. The ability to analyze the speech will make the person a more productive member of society. 2. Explain the four basic elements in the speech-making process. Answer: The four basic elements in the speech-making process are: (1) the speaker, who is the originator of the message who brings his/her knowledge and experience to the speaking situation. (2) The second element in the speech-making process is the message. The message is composed of the words, symbols, attitudes, and values on a topic. The message is developed and arranged by the speaker to be delivered to the specific audience. (3) The listener is the third element in the speechmaking process. The listener's responsibility is to listen, evaluate, and respond to the message through feedback. Listeners come to the speaking situation with their own knowledge base, attitudes, and values. (4) The fourth element in the speechmaking process is the context. The context includes the physical setting (where the speech is being given), the social expectations, and the cultural rules that are involved when the speaker and the listener interact in the speech situation. 3. Explain how Pope John Paul II's ethos demonstrates his success as a great communicator in spite of the fact that many people opposed his ideas. Answer: Pope John Paul II's theatre experience gave him the experience in communication which contributed to his charisma as a speaker. He was able to communicate effectively in situations in which audiences had unfavorable dispositions on the speech topics and his ideas. He used a combination of interpersonal contacts, the written and spoken word, as well as mass media to effectively get his message across. Additionally, Pope John Paul II never relinquished his beliefs and values and maintained his integrity. 4. You wish to argue that funding for education needs to be increased. Develop a brief outline of what you would say in the introduction, body, and conclusion of the speech. Answer: Answers may vary, but the student should generate a central idea that would be included in the introduction, such as "Funding for elementary and secondary education needs to increased." The body could develop main points along the lines of how underfunding hurts students, how inequities in funding create unequal educational opportunities, and how the demands of the future require a more diverse and technologically advanced education than many school districts can provide. The answer should discuss how the speaker's own experiences have been shaped by the funding of education. The conclusion should rephrase and reintroduce the main idea and provide closure. Test Bank for Principles of Public Speaking Kathleen M. German, Bruce E. Gronbeck, Douglas Ehninger, Alan H. Monroe 9780205857548, 9780205843893
