Deck 10: Topic Selection and Audience Analysis

Question 1

Name four methods of audience analysis and explain each.

Answer 1

Answers will vary.

Question 2

List and describe the four essential features of an immediate purpose.

Answer 2

Answers will vary.

Question 3

Explain two methods of narrowing a topic. How can you know if you have narrowed it enough?

Answer 3

Answers will vary.

Question 4

Explain how self-analysis can be helpful in topic selection.

Question 5

How does a speaker adapt language to a specific audience?

Question 6

How does a speaker adapt the topic to an audience?

Question 7

Define inference and explain the difference between indirect inferences and direct inferences.

Question 8

Explain the process of brainstorming as it is used for topic selection.

Question 9

What are three methods of audience analysis and how does each work?

Question 10

Distinguish among attitudes, beliefs, and values by defining and providing an example of each.

Question 11

How does a speaker adapt the purpose of the speech to a specific audience? Provide an example.

Question 12

Why is commitment to a topic important?

Question 13

You analyze your audience to become more insightful about how you approach your topic.

Question 14

Choose a broad topic and then create your own concept map to narrow that topic.

Question 15

Thinking of as many topics as you can in a limited amount of time is called a self-analysis.

Question 16

What are four ways you can adapt yourself and your message to an audience?

Question 17

State why demographic analysis is important to the public speaker.

Question 18

Explain three ways of gaining information about an audience through questionnaires.

Question 19

Keeping questionnaires anonymous reduces the value of the information.

Question 20

What are some questions to ask yourself to check the appropriateness of your topic for your audience?

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT recommended in the book as a way to select a topic?

A) individual brainstorming
B) self-assessment
C) use of personal knowledge
D) psychic review

Question 22

Using word concepts in a questionnaire is a way to discover audience attitudes toward specific issues.

Question 23

You should evaluate your topic to make sure it is important to both you and your audience.

Question 24

Adapting your language includes modifying gestures and facial expressions.

Question 25

A good way to save research time is to narrow the topic when you select it.

Question 26

Moving from abstract to concrete or from general to specific are two ways suggested in the text to narrow a topic.

Question 27

You should always select a topic area about which you know very little or nothing so you can learn research skills.

Question 28

An attitude is a tendency to respond favorably or unfavorably to some person, object, idea, or event.

Question 29

An inference is a definite conclusion based on facts.

Question 30

Topic commitment is a stronger predictor of speech effectiveness than preparation time.

Question 31

Your immediate purpose should move audience members toward a long-range goal.

Question 32

A belief is a deeply rooted attitude that governs our values.

Question 33

Making the determination that an audience favors the pro-life position because they are predominantly Roman
Catholic is an example of observation.

Question 34

To get the audience to remember your three main points is an example of a long-range goal.

Question 35

A successful public speaker must adapt the message to the specific audience.

Question 36

Demographic analysis is the process of discovering whether the audience is captive or voluntary.

Question 37

When selecting a topic, if you think about what particular issue currently bothers you, you are

A) surveying your interest.
B) assessing your knowledge of the topic.
C) conducting a questionnaire.
D) evaluating your commitment to the topic.

Question 38

When trying to select a topic, Preston thought about what he had already experienced. What method did Preston use to select a topic?

A) brainstorming
B) surveying interests
C) assessing knowledge
D) evaluating commitment

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways of determining if the topic is narrow enough?

A) There is sufficient information about the topic.
B) The information can be told within the time limits.
C) The topic can be discussed with enough depth to keep the audience interested.
D) The topic will appeal to the audience.

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT required for individual brainstorming?

A) Give yourself a limited amount of time.
B) Critically evaluate every choice before listing them.
C) Select items that have the most appeal to you.
D) Select items that have the most appeal to your audience.

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a method recommended in the book for gathering inferences about an audience from questionnaires?

A) Use word concepts to find out the extent to which the audience favors or disfavors them.
B) Ask audience members to rank values.
C) Ask questions that place audience members in identifiable groups.
D) Determine the audience members' astrological signs to indicate their states of mind.

Question 42

Leslie really likes coffee-flavored ice cream. This would be an example of

A) an attitude.
B) a value.
C) a belief.
D) a characteristic.

Question 43

Cora gave his informative speech on "the environment." What is a valid critique of this speech?

A) The topic is too broad.
B) The topic is too narrow.
C) There is not enough information about the topic.
D) The topic is overdone.

Question 44

Swetha gave his persuasive speech on why you run a West Coast football offense to his general population speech lass. Raymond likely didn't do which part of speech preparation?

A) outlining
B) research
C) demographic analysis
D) value analysis

Question 45

Which of the following statements about attitudes, beliefs, and values is true?

A) Values are more specific than attitudes.
B) Beliefs are more general than values.
C) Values are deeply rooted and govern attitudes.
D) Beliefs are predispositions to respond favorably or unfavorably to something.

Question 46

Which guideline should you follow when choosing a topic?

A) Select a trivial, fun topic.
B) Choose a subject that you've never heard of or examined before.
C) Do not select one that involves demonstrate with visual resources that are banned on campus.
D) Select a common, overused topic.

Question 47

Wisdom, freedom, and security are all examples of

A) values.
B) attitudes.
C) inferences.
D) beliefs.

Question 48

In public speaking, which of the following are you NOT expected to adapt to the audience?

A) your own personal position on the issue
B) your message, the content of your speech
C) your nonverbal codes
D) your immediate and long-range purpose

Question 49

If you ask people to rank their favorite pastimes, you are asking for

A) inferences.
B) attitudinal information.
C) observations.
D) adaptation.

Question 50

An attitude is a

A) conviction.
B) predisposition to respond favorably or unfavorably.
C) deeply rooted set of beliefs.
D) set conviction.