Chapter 15 The Informative Speech 15.1 Multiple Choice Questions 1) In his November 6, 2012 victory speech, President Barack Obama exclaimed, “I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.” President Obama verbally creates an image of unity, a technique also known as a a) comparison. b) narrative. c) description. d) demonstration. Answer: c Rationale: President Obama is describing a vision of unity, emphasizing the idea of togetherness and the collective identity of the United States. He is not directly comparing different elements or telling a story (narrative), demonstrating a process, or creating an analogy. 2) What is the nature of an informative speech? a) To share common ground with the audience b) To entertain the audience c) To change the attitude of the audience d) To impart knowledge to the audience Answer: d Rationale: An informative speech is primarily intended to provide the audience with new information, facts, or insights on a topic, rather than seeking to entertain, persuade, or find common ground. 3) What is the nature of a persuasive speech? a) To share common ground with the audience b) To entertain the audience c) To change the attitude of the audience d) To impart knowledge to the audience Answer: c Rationale: A persuasive speech aims to change or influence the audience's attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors, which distinguishes it from speeches that seek to inform, entertain, or find common ground. 4) When delivering an informative speech, your first objective is to _____ a) engage the audience. b) present information that is easily digested. c) convince the audience to take an action. d) entertain the audience Answer: a Rationale: Engaging the audience is crucial in an informative speech because it helps maintain their interest and ensures that they are receptive to the information being presented. 5) George has to give an informative speech on any aspect of World War II. For his topic, he chose to speak about the Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit for its length of service and its size in the entire history of the U.S. military. What category of speech topics does this fall under? a) Events b) Recreation c) Concepts d) People Answer: d Rationale: This topic focuses on a specific group of people (the Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team), making it a "People" category of speech topic. 6) Roy, a culinary student, thinks that food should not only taste good but be beautiful as well. For his informative speech, Roy decided to show his audience the step-by-step process of making chrysanthemums out of cantaloupe and roses out of radishes. This is an example of a(n) a) definition speech. b) object speech. c) demonstration speech. d) description speech Answer: c Rationale: Roy is demonstrating a process (creating food art), which falls under the category of a demonstration speech. 7) A speech that explains the steps involved in processing a crime scene is based upon a) a place. b) a concept. c) people. d) an object. Answer: b Rationale: The speech is based on explaining a process or series of actions (the steps involved in processing a crime scene), which falls under the category of a concept. 8) Capitol Hill, Walt Disney World, The Freedom Trail, the Acoma Pueblo, and the Hearst Castle are all examples of which category of informative speech topics? a) Events b) Recreation c) Places d) Objects Answer: c Rationale: These are all specific places or locations, making them examples of the "Places" category of informative speech topics. 9) Pacifiers, iPads, herb gardens, insulation, and sacred artifacts are all examples of which type of informative speech categories? a) Objects b) Concepts c) Recreation d) Places Answer: a Rationale: These items are all physical objects, making them examples of the "Objects" category of informative speech topics. 10) Geronimo, the Dalai Lama, Stephen Colbert, crime scene investigators, and Washington D.C. lobbyists are all examples of which category of informative speech topics? a) Concepts b) People c) Objects d) Places Answer: b Rationale: These are all examples of specific individuals or groups of individuals, making them examples of the "People" category of informative speech topics. 11) The Presidential Medal of Freedom awards ceremony, The Battle of the Bulge, Quinceañera celebrations, and the Olympics are all examples of which category of informative speech topics? a) Concepts b) Places c) Objects d) Events Answer: d Rationale: These are all specific events or occurrences, making them examples of the "Events" category of informative speech topics. 12) In his speech on the economy, Matthew used terms such as “aggregate supply,” “business cycle indicators,” and “marginal rate of substitution.” Matthew’s use of _____ made it difficult for the audience to follow his ideas. a) abstract terms b) definitions c) antonyms d) concrete terms Answer: a Rationale: Abstract terms are general and not easily understood without further explanation, which can make it challenging for the audience to follow the speaker's ideas. 13) What skill are you using when creating an image verbally by using concrete terms? a) Demonstration b) Description c) Definition d) Construction Answer: b Rationale: Description involves creating a mental image using sensory details and concrete terms, making the subject more vivid and understandable to the audience. 14) Sheri is giving an informative speech on her experiences with living with diabetes. During her speech, Sheri uses terms like “albuminuria,” “blood urea nitrogen,” and “HbA1.” Because the audience is most likely unfamiliar with these terms, Sheri should take the time to a) define the terms. b) articulate clearly. c) pronounce correctly. d) remove the terms. Answer: a Rationale: Since the audience is likely unfamiliar with these technical terms, Sheri should define them to ensure understanding. 15) “It really was quite hilarious and must have been something to see. Imagine me trying to remove our 9-foot Christmas tree from my living room. I was so busy trying not to get poked by dried out, sharp needles, that I lost my balance and fell backwards, bringing the giant tree with me. Imagine what my husband thought as he entered the room to see our tipped-over tree with my hands and feet sticking out from underneath it.” Amy is delivering a speech on mishaps in the home. This story is an example of a(n) a) description. b) comparison. c) narrative. d) demonstration. Answer: c Rationale: This story recounts a series of events, making it a narrative that illustrates a mishap in the home. 16) Comparisons from a thesaurus like joy and happiness, rich and wealthy, generous and benevolent are examples of what? a) Synonyms b) Definitions c) Antonyms d) Hyperbole Answer: a Rationale: Synonyms are words that have similar meanings, like those found in a thesaurus. 17) Words that have opposite meanings but can still be used to clarify the definition are called a) synonyms. b) definitions. c) antonyms. d) hyperbole. Answer: c Rationale: Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings but can be used to clarify the definition of a term. 18) Similarities and differences between ideas, facts, or concepts are known as a) comparisons. b) analogies. c) synonyms. d) antonyms. Answer: a Rationale: Comparisons involve highlighting similarities and differences between ideas, facts, or concepts. 19) Showing the audience the steps in a process is most appropriate in what kind of speech? a) Entertainment b) Informative c) Persuasive d) Demonstration Answer: d Rationale: Demonstrative speeches involve showing the audience how to do something, such as the steps in a process. 20) Bill’s speech includes showing the different ways to grip a baseball for each type of pitch and showing the “follow through” motion for each pitch. What method is Bill using to present this in his informative speech? a) Narration b) Description c) Demonstration d) Explanation Answer: c Rationale: Bill is demonstrating the different grips and motions, making it a demonstration in his informative speech. 15.2 Short Answer Questions 1) Unlike a _____ speech, whose purpose is to change an attitude or motivate to act, the overriding concern of the _____ speech is to impart knowledge. Answer: persuasive/informative 2) Ideas, theories, or thoughts generally used to explain abstract subjects fall under the ________ category of informative speech topics. Answer: concepts 3) When deciding on a speech topic, people often find inspiration from places. Identify some general “places” mentioned in the textbook. Answer: The students should list several from the following list: institutions, historical sites, cities, geologic landforms, and buildings. 4) Terms generally unfamiliar to an audience need to be defined. What four ways can help clarify a word’s definition or other unfamiliar term? Answer: synonym, antonym, comparisons, and etymology 5) When describing an idea or concept in your informative speech, what two kinds of terms can be used? Answer: concrete and abstract terms 6) Going to the movies, having a picnic, and demonstrating at an Occupy Wall Street rally are all topics that fall under the category of ________. Answer: events 7) Several skills help increase the effectiveness of an informative speech, including the development of the topic. List at least two additional skills. Answer: The student should identify at least two of the following: the speaker’s ability to narrate, describe, define, and demonstrate the ideas in the speech. 8) A speech whose purpose is to change an attitude or motivate to act is ___________. Answer: persuasive 9) The words “happy” and “sad” are examples of ________. Answer: antonyms 10) The words “soak” and “saturate” are examples of ________. Answer: synonyms 15.3 True/False Questions 1) The primary purpose of an informative speech is to impart knowledge and educate an audience. Answer: True Rationale: The main goal of an informative speech is to provide the audience with new information or insights on a specific topic, thus educating them in some way. 2) A sure way to lose an audience is to present information that is too complex or sophisticated for them to comprehend as you are speaking. Answer: True Rationale: If the information presented is too complex or sophisticated for the audience to understand, they are likely to become confused or disengaged, leading to a loss of interest. 3) When delivering an informative speech, your first objective is to simplify your topic so the audience understands your ideas. Answer: False Rationale: While it's important to make your topic understandable, simplifying it too much can lead to oversimplification and may not effectively convey the depth or complexity of the topic. 4) Abstract, vague terms help any audience to understand new ideas. Answer: False Rationale: Abstract and vague terms can actually hinder understanding, as they may be unclear or ambiguous. It's better to use concrete and specific language to help the audience understand new ideas. 5) Informative speech topics generally fall into the following categories: recreation, concepts, places, objects, events, and people. Answer: True Rationale: These categories encompass a wide range of potential topics for informative speeches, covering various aspects of human experience and knowledge. 6) An informative speech about an object should NOT include how to use it but only where to purchase or find the object. Answer: False Rationale: An informative speech about an object can include both how to use it and where to find it, as these aspects are relevant to understanding the object and its significance. 7) When you give a speech about a place you have visited, bringing your own experiences to the topic will make the audience doubt your sincerity and you may lose their interest. Answer: False Rationale: Sharing personal experiences can help make a speech more engaging and relatable, as long as the experiences are relevant and enhance the audience's understanding of the topic. 8) The key ingredient when developing a speech topic is to make it relevant to your audience. Answer: True Rationale: Making your speech topic relevant to your audience helps ensure that they will be interested and engaged in the topic, increasing the effectiveness of your speech. 9) The key to delivering an effective narrative is to use vivid language, make it easy to follow, and avoid lengthiness. Answer: True Rationale: Using vivid language can help bring a narrative to life, making it more engaging for the audience. Making the narrative easy to follow and avoiding lengthiness can help maintain the audience's interest. 10) Concrete terms refer to detailed and specific language used in a speech. Answer: True Rationale: Concrete terms are specific and detailed, making them more tangible and easier for the audience to understand compared to abstract or vague terms. 11) Vague language is extremely useful in promoting understanding. Answer: False Rationale: Vague language can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Clear and specific language is more effective in promoting understanding. 12) Words that have the opposite meaning are called synonyms. Answer: False Rationale: Words that have the opposite meaning are called antonyms, not synonyms. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. 13) “Despair” is an antonym for “hope.” Answer: True Rationale: "Despair" and "hope" are words with opposite meanings, making "despair" an antonym of "hope." 14) A description is an image that is created verbally. Answer: True Rationale: A description is a verbal representation of a person, place, object, or event, created using words to paint a picture in the audience's mind. 15) A verbal explanation would never accompany a demonstration in a speech. The demonstration alone is enough for the speaker to get the point across to the audience. Answer: False Rationale: While a demonstration can be powerful on its own, a verbal explanation can provide context, clarify details, and enhance the audience's understanding of the demonstration. 15.4 Matching Questions For the questions that follow, match the word or phrase with its meaning. a) A story or account of an event told orally b) Different words with the same meaning c) Meanings for terms generally unfamiliar to an audience d) Showing of a step-by-step process e) Defining the differences between two subjects f) Showing the steps involved in a process g) Detailed and specific language h) Image that is created verbally i) Vague and general language j) Detailed and specific language k) Words with the opposite meaning 1) Abstract terms 2) Antonyms 3) Comparison 4) Concrete terms 5) Narrative 6) Description 7) Concrete terms 8) Demonstration 9) Definition 10) Synonyms Answers: 1) i 2) k 3) e 4) g 5) a 6) h 7) j 8) f 9) c 10) b 15.5 Essay Questions 1) Describe three ways to make your informative speech relevant to your audience. Answer: Your first objective is to engage your audience. It is your responsibility to acknowledge and value your audience’s diverse frames of reference, even if they are different from your own. Engaging your audience right away helps ensure your success in drawing the audience’s attention and establishing the relevance of your topic. Second, keep your informative speech simple. It is important that you present your information in an easyto-understand manner. Clear understanding of your topic is crucial. If your audience does not understand a point, they will stop listening. Finally, a speaker must realize that your ideas will be better understood by the use of appropriate language. Concrete, descriptive terms help the audience understand new ideas. Limiting the use of abstract language can help your audience comprehend your ideas. 2) Describe the differences between the purpose of an informative speech and the purpose of a persuasive speech. Using the same general topics, list five examples of informative speech topics and then change the same topics to make them persuasive in nature. Answer: An informative speech educates an audience or imparts knowledge. A persuasive speech changes an attitude or motivates the audience to act. Informative speech topic examples include:( 1) To inform the audience about the dangers of texting and driving, (2) to inform the audience about how to build a fire in a fire place, (3) to inform the audience about the Thanksgiving Day Adopt a Sailor program, (4) to inform the audience about the escalation of bullying people with special needs, and (5) to inform the audience about the importance of regular car maintenance. Persuasive speech topic examples include: (1) To persuade the audience to never text and drive, (2) to persuade the audience to use fireplace heat instead of turning on the thermostat, (3) to persuade the audience to Adopt a Sailor for Thanksgiving, 4) to persuade the audience to support the death penalty, and (5) to persuade the audience to never say the “R” word. 3) Keeping in mind that the purpose of the informative speech is to fill an informational need of your audience, discuss organizing this kind of speech. What should you consider when thinking about how to organize the introduction, body, and conclusion? Answer: You first begin organizing your speech by identifying the organizational pattern that would best fit the body of your speech (much of this was discussed in Chapter 13). Your choices include topical order, cause-and-effect organizational patterns, and chronological patterns. You want to keep the number of main points to a minimum (five at the most) in order to successfully cover each point without subjecting your audience to message overload. You need to include support material for your points but you also want to keep those limited to what is essential for the goal of your speech, in this case – to inform. When organizing your introduction, you want to trigger a need in your audience. The introduction is the best place to grab their attention and show them that the information you are about to share with them is important and relevant. Encourage them to listen to you throughout the body of your speech. The conclusion of your speech should summarize your main ideas and firmly establish what you want your audience to walk away with afterward. You can also suggest sources where they can gain additional information relating to your topic. You should also make sure that you incorporate transitions throughout your speech to connect all three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. 4) Where do the bulk of speech topics come from? List the areas and provide five appropriate informative speech topics for each. Answer: The bulk of informative speech topics fall into one of the following categories: recreation, concepts, places, objects, events, and people. Examples: 1. Recreation: amusement parks, dressage, bowling, golf, glass blowing 2. Concepts: global warming, carbon footprints, cheating, taxation on the wealthiest 2%, fidelity. 3. Places: Garden of the Gods, prison, the woods, tapas bars, Broadway. 4. Objects: pearls, hummingbird feeders, motorcycles, tear blankets, cooking equipment. 5. Events: the death of Osama Bin Laden, Congressional Gold Medal ceremonies, community farmers’ markets, Shogatsu, the Super Bowl. 6. People: Adam Levine, the working poor, Speaker of the House John Boehner, polygamists. 5) Dunn and Goodnight describe four methods for presenting an informative speech; narration, description, definition, and demonstration. Define and compare description and definition. Define and compare narration and demonstration. Finally, contrast the use of descriptions and definitions with the use of narration and demonstration. Answer: Description is verbally creating and image. Descriptions can be made in concrete and abstract terms. Definition is the explanation of terms generally unfamiliar to the audience in more easily understood language. Some ways to incorporate definitions in a speech is through the use of synonyms, antonyms, comparisons, and etymology. Description and definition are comparable in that an emphasis is placed on connecting with the audience through a clarification of a term whether that clarification comes from painting a picture for audience visualization or comparing that object to other terms whether similar or different. Narration is orally telling a story or an account of an event. Narratives should use vivid language, be easy to follow, and not be too lengthy. Demonstration is showing the audience steps involved in a particular activity. Demonstration can take more time to incorporate into a speech but should still not be too lengthy. Narration and demonstration are comparable in that the clarification for the audience is in more detail whether the length of the story or the steps of the demonstration. Contrasting definitions and description with narration and demonstration really lies in the time differences these take for the speaker to present to the audience in an effort to clarify. To describe or define a term or object, event, or place can occur in a shorter period of time than to tell a narrative or show a demonstration to the audience. Besides taking a little longer to share a narrative or present a demonstration, the speaker must prepare and time these two presentations. Shortening the length of the speech could affect the audience’s receiving the clarification that the speaker originally intended. Test Bank for Communication: Embracing Difference Daniel M. Dunn, Lisa J. Goodnight 9780205943661, 9780205865635, 9781269602877
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