Test Bank for Show
The Art of Public Speaking FLTRP Book Development Project Stephen Lucas & Suya Yin 1 Chapter 8 Beginning and Ending the Speech True-False Questions Students are to indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false by circling the appropriate letter. 1. T F Regardless of what other methods you use to gain attention, you should always relate the topic to your audience in the introduction of a speech. 2. T F Establishing goodwill is more likely to be necessary in the introduction of a persuasive speech than in the introduction of an informative speech. 3. T F Under normal circumstances, the introduction should comprise about 10-20 percent of a speech. 4. T F The only way to convey that your speech is ending is through the use of words such as “In conclusion.” 5. T F The preview statement in a speech introduction identifies the main points to be discussed in the body. 6. T F Under normal circumstances the introduction should constitute about 30 - 40 percent of a speech. 7. T F A “rhetorical question” is a question that the audience answers mentally rather than out loud. 8. T F As your textbook explains, working out a speech introduction in detail can boost a speaker’s confidence. 9. T F Referring back to the introduction in your conclusion is a good way to give the speech psychological unity 10. T F A speech conclusion that builds in power and intensity as it moves toward the closing line is known as a dissolve ending. Multiple Choice Questions Students are to indicate the best answer for each question by circling the correct letter. 1. All of the following are basic objectives of a speech introduction EXCEPT __________. a. establishing credibility and goodwill b. supporting your main points c. revealing the topic of the speech d. previewing the body of the speech EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTIONS These are guidelines for preparing an effective introduction. Speakers should not be concerned with the exact wording of the introduction until the body of the speech is finished. Think about this. How can you introduce a speech until you have a speech to introduce? The most effective way to write your introduction is to write it AFTER you have drafted the major points and supported those main points with your findings. The introduction should be worked out in detail so it can be delivered effectively. An effective introduction gets the speaker off on the right foot. There are four objectives of a speech introduction: The first objective is
to gain the attention and interest of the audience. People pay attention to things that affect them directly. No matter what other interest-arousing lures speakers choose, always relate the topic to the audience. A second method of gaining attention is to state the importance of the topic. A third method of gaining attention is to startle the audience. A
fourth method of gaining attention is to arouse the curiosity of the audience. A fifth method of gaining attention is to question the audience. A sixth method of gaining attention is to begin with a quotation. A seventh method of gaining attention is to tell a story. An eighth method of gaining attention (and to set an appropriate tone )is to explore the background and etymology of a key term in your speech. For example, a speech on the topic of war could introduce the issue by describing how the term, “war” as an Indo-European root word originating in the Sanskrit word, pronounced as “varren,” that means “desire for more cattle.” Other methods of gaining attention include referring to the occasion, inviting audience participation, using audio equipment or visual aids, relating to a previous speaker, and beginning with humor. All of these methods can be effective depending on the audience, the topic, and the occasion. Unlike the first eight methods of gaining attention, these additional methods are used more frequently in speeches outside the classroom than in the classroom. The second objective of a speech introduction is to reveal the topic of your speech. The third objective of a speech introduction is to establish your credibility. The fourth objective of a speech introduction is to establish your goodwill. Establishing goodwill is a matter of showing that the speaker has the best interests of the audience in mind. “What’s in for me to accept whatever it is you are “selling”. “What benefits can I expect from accepting your proposal.” are questions your audience should be thinking. Tell them. “ABC” is the acronym to remember, because n a sense you will “Always be “closing” when you conclude your speech. Set up the closing in your introduction. Creating good will is especially crucial for speakers outside the classroom who may be identified with causes that arouse hostility among the audience. Creating good will can also be a concern for students who advocate highly unpopular positions in their classroom speeches. The fifth objective of a speech introduction is to preview the body of your speech. Previews, or overviews, are
also an opportunity to present special information, Following are four complete introductions from classroom speeches. a. What tiny crystal fortified the coffers of many ancient empires and laid waste to others? What mineral has the power to create and the power to destroy? What is “good as gold” when scarce and “cheap as dirt” when abundant? The answer to all of these questions is salt, the spice of life. Today I would like to look at the b. We have so much unused human potential. By improving the use of
your time, you can have much more time for social activities. You can use your mental processes more fully, thereby improving your grades. You can also increase your physical stamina and improve your health. We must learn to know c. A six-year-old collie lay battered and helpless by the side of the road. The car that hit her had broken her pelvis, dislocated her hip, and smashed her jaw. It had also blinded her, and she whimpered in pain and fear. Unfortunately, this true story happens much too frequently because of the growing problem of pet overpopulation. Having grown up on a farm with animals of all kinds, I care deeply about their welfare, and I have become aware through my veterinary courses of how serious the problem of pet overpopulation is. d. Every problem has at least two sides. When one side is right, and the other side is wrong, the problem is easy to solve. But what if both sides have merit in their arguments? How do you solve these problems?Balancing the rights of everyone in an adoption is one of these problems. The parents who give up the child have a right that all the information they disclose be kept confidential, while the adopted child has a right to know about the identity of his or her natural parents. Today I’d like to explore this problem with you and look at one approach to solving it. Discussion: This is a useful exercise because it gets students to focus on all four objectives of a speech introduction. Here is a brief analysis of each of the introductions in the exercise. a. This introduction uses a series of questions to get attention, introduces the topic clearly, and has a concise preview statement. Its most obvious flaw is a lack of material establishing the speaker’s credibility. It might also be improved by relating the topic of salt directly to the audience at the outset. b. By relating to the audience, this introduction does a fair job of capturing attention, but that is all. It does not reveal the topic of the speech, establish the credibility of the speaker, or preview the main points of the speech. c. This introduction does an excellent job of gaining attention, of introducing the topic of pet overpopulation, and of establishing the speaker’s credibility. It is flawed, however, by its lack of a preview statement. As with the introduction on salt, it also could be strengthened if it related the topic directly to the audience. d. This introduction does a good job of revealing the topic and previewing the main points of the speech. It does nothing to establish the speaker’s credibility, and it is weak as an attention-getter. What is the first thing that you should do in the introduction of your speech?Introduction. The introduction gives the audience a reason to listen to the remainder of the speech. A good introduction needs to get the audience's attention, state the topic, make the topic relatable, establish credibility, and preview the main points.
When preparing an introduction for a speech to an audience in opposition to your point of view you should be especially careful to?Establishing goodwill is especially necessary in the introduction of a speech presented to a hostile audience. One function of a preview statement is to signal that the body of the speech is about to begin.
What is the last thing that you should do in your introduction?The final key part of how to write an intro paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the backbone of your introduction: it conveys your argument or point of view on your topic in a clear, concise, and compelling way. The thesis is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph.
When developing a speech the introduction should always be completed first before the body of the speech?You should always write the body of your speech before you write the introduction. An effective introduction achieves four primary goals.
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