Question 1

An important principle to follow in giving an informative presentation is:
A) Use extremely complex language
B) Use extremely complex visuals
C) Use as many visuals as possible
D) Use clear, simple language

Accepted Answer

Using clear, simple language is the best choice in giving an informative presentation as it helps the audience understand and retain the information better. Using complex language or visuals can confuse or overwhelm the audience, defeating the purpose of an informative presentation. While visuals can enhance understanding, it's important to use them sparingly and purposefully, rather than using as many as possible.

Question 2

An appropriate guideline to follow in planning an informative presentation would be:
A) Discuss all information available on the topic
B) Explain the topic at the level of complexity comfortable for you
C) Explain the topic at the level of complexity comfortable for the audience
D) Assume the audience understands the significance of the topic

Accepted Answer

It is important to explain the topic at a level of complexity that is comfortable for the audience to ensure they can understand the information being presented. It is also important to tailor the presentation to the audience's knowledge level and interests. Simply discussing all available information or assuming the audience understands the significance of the topic may not be effective in conveying the information clearly.

Question 3

In building relationships with the audience in a presentation, a speaker's language use should:
A) Be concrete and descriptive
B) Emphasize connection (we/us vs. I/you)
C) Both of the above
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Using concrete and descriptive language helps the audience to visualize and understand the message being conveyed. Emphasizing connection through language (e.g. using "we" and "us" instead of "I" and "you") helps to create a sense of unity and common purpose between the speaker and the audience, which can build a stronger relationship.

Question 4

Which of the following would be indicative of inductive reasoning:
A) Moving from the specific to the specific
B) Moving from the specific to the general
C) Moving from the general to the general
D) Moving from the general to the specific

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves moving from specific observations and examples to a general conclusion or hypothesis. Therefore, moving from the specific to the general would be indicative of inductive reasoning.

Question 5

When seeking to change an audience's way of thinking, a speaker must:
A) Point out that he/she has the audience's best interests in mind
B) Point out that he/she will benefit from the audience's change of perspective
C) Point out that he/she has more knowledge than the audience
D) Point out that he/she has less knowledge than the audience

Accepted Answer

When seeking to change an audience's way of thinking, it is important for the speaker to establish trust and credibility with the audience. Pointing out that the speaker has the audience's best interests in mind can help to establish this trust and create a receptive audience. Options B and C can come across as self-serving and may actually decrease the audience's willingness to be persuaded. Option D is not a viable strategy for persuading an audience.

Question 6

If you are certain that you and your audience share certain key beliefs so that you do not have to fully explain each and every step of your persuasive argument, you might employ:
A) A syllogism
B) An enthymeme
C) A counterargument
D) A logos

Accepted Answer

An enthymeme is a persuasive technique that relies on the assumption of shared beliefs or values between the speaker and the audience. It is essentially a syllogism with one of the premises left unstated because it is assumed to be accepted by the audience. By using this technique, the speaker can make a more succinct and effective argument by avoiding the need to explain every premise in detail.

Question 7

In order to create the clearest possible mental picture for the audience, a speaker should:
A) Use only abstract words
B) Use concrete words to help convey abstract terms
C) Use only concrete words
D) Use only ambiguous language

Accepted Answer

Using concrete words to help convey abstract terms is the best choice. Concrete words provide specific details and can help the audience visualize the speaker's message more clearly. This will make the presentation more engaging and memorable for the audience. Using only abstract words or only ambiguous language can make the message unclear and confusing. Using only concrete words, on the other hand, may limit the speaker's ability to express abstract concepts.

Question 8

Which of the following would be indicative of deductive reasoning:
A) Moving from the specific to the specific
B) Moving from the specific to the general
C) Moving from the general to the general
D) Moving from the general to the specific

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning is the process of moving from general principles or premises to specific conclusions. Therefore, moving from the general to the specific is indicative of deductive reasoning.

Question 9

A ________ is a form of argumentation consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
A) Inductive reasoning
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Syllogism
D) Social Judgement Theory

Accepted Answer

A syllogism is a logical argument that uses deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two premises, a major one and a minor one. The conclusion drawn from the two premises must be valid if the premises are true.

Question 10

An important strategy for speakers to use in making a claim of value is:
A) Explain to the audience the criteria you used to judge the value
B) Explain to the audience the criteria they should always use to judge values
C) Explain to the audience that no value judgments are possible
D) Explain to the audience your personal opinion on the value

Accepted Answer

By explaining the criteria used to judge the value, the speaker can provide a clear and objective basis for their claim, making it more persuasive and credible to the audience.

Question 11

Which of the following would not be an appropriate goal for a persuasive speech to actuate?
A) Inform the audience about their behavior
B) Reinforce a current behavior
C) Change an existing behavior
D) Stop an existing behavior

Accepted Answer

A persuasive speech to actuate is designed to motivate the audience to take a specific action or change behavior, not merely to inform them about their behavior without a call to action.

Question 12

To help an audience understand a new or unknown concept or topic, effective speakers:
A) Use only concrete language
B) Use the unknown to help understand the unknown
C) Use the known to help understand the unknown
D) Use only descriptive language

Accepted Answer

Using known concepts or topics to explain the new or unknown concept or topic is more effective in helping the audience understand. This helps to establish connections and make the information more relatable and understandable.

Question 13

A claim of conjecture is different from a claim of fact because its focus is:
A) What has been true or false in the past
B) What is true or false in the present
C) What will be true or false in the future
D) What the audience has believed to be true or false in the past

Accepted Answer

A claim of conjecture is a statement or proposition that is based on inference or speculation about something that may happen in the future. Therefore, its focus is on what will be true or false in the future.

Question 14

Social judgment theory claims that audiences have an anchor position, their preferred or acceptable position on a topic or issue, within:
A) The latitude of acceptance
B) The latitude of rejection
C) The latitude of noncommitment
D) The latitude of indifference

Accepted Answer

According to social judgment theory, audiences have an anchor position within the latitude of acceptance, which is the range of positions on a given issue that a person sees as reasonable or acceptable. The latitude of rejection refers to the range of positions that a person finds objectionable or unacceptable, while the latitude of noncommitment is the range of positions where a person has no strong opinion or preference. The latitude of indifference refers to positions that a person doesn't care about or doesn't have any interest in.

Question 15

In applying social judgment theory to a persuasive presentation, a speaker must:
A) Be extremely vague about his/her goals
B) Be extremely vague about his/her position
C) Be very specific about his/her goals and position
D) Be very specific about the audience

Accepted Answer

In applying social judgment theory to a persuasive presentation, the speaker must be very specific about their goals and position. This theory suggests that an individual's attitude toward a message depends on their initial attitude, which is called their anchor position. Therefore, it is crucial for the speaker to establish their position clearly to the audience and present their goals to enhance the audience's perception of their message.

Question 16

When you use use emotional appeals to impact an audience, you rely upon:
A) Ethos
B) Pathos
C) Logos
D) Aesop

Accepted Answer

Emotional appeals are a form of persuasion that aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience, often by using anecdotes, personal stories or images. This technique is known as pathos, as it appeals to the audience's emotions and feelings rather than logic or reason (logos) or the speaker's credibility (ethos). Aesop is not relevant in this context as it refers to a Greek storyteller known for his fables.

Question 17

According to social judgment theory, audiences believe:
A) Someone who advocates a position we don't like is more similar to us than they actually are
B) Someone who advocates a position we don't like is less different from us than they actually are
C) Someone who advocates a position we do like is more different from us than they actually are
D) Someone who advocates a position we do like is more similar to us than they actually are

Accepted Answer

Social judgment theory suggests that when someone advocates a position that aligns with our own views, we tend to perceive them as more similar to us than they might actually be. This is because we have a tendency to favor and identify with those who share our beliefs and opinions.

Question 18

The key difference between an informative process speech and a 'how-to' speech is:
A) The time involved in presenting the speech
B) The audience's interest level in the speech
C) The ability of the audience to do the process
D) The ability of the audience to understand the process

Accepted Answer

The key difference between an informative process speech and a 'how-to' speech is the ability of the audience to do the process. An informative process speech focuses on explaining a process or procedure that the audience may not be familiar with, while a 'how-to' speech provides step-by-step instructions for the audience to follow and perform the process themselves. Therefore, the ability of the audience to do the process is the key distinguishing factor between the two speech types.

Quiz 13: Relating Through Informative Speeches and Persuasive Speeches

An important principle to follow in giving an informative presentation is:

An appropriate guideline to follow in planning an informative presentation would be:

In building relationships with the audience in a presentation, a speaker's language use should:

Which of the following would be indicative of inductive reasoning:

When seeking to change an audience's way of thinking, a speaker must:

If you are certain that you and your audience share certain key beliefs so that you do not have to fully explain each and every step of your persuasive argument, you might employ:

In order to create the clearest possible mental picture for the audience, a speaker should:

Which of the following would be indicative of deductive reasoning:

A ________ is a form of argumentation consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

An important strategy for speakers to use in making a claim of value is:

Which of the following would not be an appropriate goal for a persuasive speech to actuate?

To help an audience understand a new or unknown concept or topic, effective speakers:

A claim of conjecture is different from a claim of fact because its focus is:

Social judgment theory claims that audiences have an anchor position, their preferred or acceptable position on a topic or issue, within:

In applying social judgment theory to a persuasive presentation, a speaker must:

When you use use emotional appeals to impact an audience, you rely upon:

According to social judgment theory, audiences believe:

The key difference between an informative process speech and a 'how-to' speech is: