Midterm Exam

Midterm Exam Study Guide

Note: This is meant as a guide to direct your study for the midterm examination. It is not “all-encompassing.” In other words, you are responsible for all material discussed in class and in your reading from the textbook. Merely memorizing the information on this study guide will not be enough. You must also be able to apply this material to public speaking situations.

Test Format: Your midterm exam will include 33 multiple choice questions worth 2 points each, and 5 short answer questions that, when combined, will total 34 points.

Multiple Choice: 66 points

Short Answer: 34 points

Total: 100 points

Chapter 1: Studying Public Speaking

· Explain the value of a course in public speaking

· Explain the transactional process of public speaking.

· Compare and contrast public speaking and conversation.

· Understand and explain the significance of cultural awareness in public speaking.

Chapter 3: From Apprehension to Confidence

· Distinguish the differences between general and specific apprehension.

· Explain how apprehension is normal and even desirable for public speaking situations.

· Explain four general approaches to handling speaker apprehension.

· Describe five techniques for developing confidence in public speakers.

Chapter 4: Listening

· Identify the five stages of the listening process.

· Explain the listening difficulties that emerge from cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal messages and from ethnocentrism.

· Explain how gender differences can lead to listening difficulties.

· Describe the obstacles that interfere with effective listening. How can these obstacles be overcome?

· Explain four ways one can become a more effective listener.

Chapter 6: Topic, Purpose, and Thesis

· List four sources for speech topics.

· Explain ways to focus on specific aspects of a general topic.

· Distinguish between a general purpose and a specific purpose for a speech.

· Explain the characteristics of an effective specific purpose for a speech.

· Explain how the thesis and the specific purpose differ.

· Describe the uses of a thesis.

· Explain how to effectively word a clear thesis statement.

Chapter 7: Researching Your Speech Topic

· Explain the general principles for conducting research.

· Explain the computer-related Internet resources available for preparing you speeches.

· Explain the essential steps of informational interviewing.

· Discuss the ways to critically evaluate the quality of information you have gathered.

· Describe how to acknowledge and integrate your sources into your speeches.

· Explain why it is important to acknowledge sources in your speeches.

Chapter 8: Supporting Materials

· Distinguish between examples, narratives, testimony and statistics.

· Identify the means to critically evaluate examples.

· Explain when it is appropriate to use examples.

· Identify the means to critically evaluate narratives.

· Explain when it is appropriate to use narratives.

· Identify the means to critically evaluate testimony.

· Explain when it is appropriate to use testimony.

· Identify the means to critically evaluate statistics.

· Explain when it is appropriate to use statistics.

· Describe other types of supporting material that can be used in a speech.

Chapter 9: Presentation Aids

· Explain the limitations and uses of presentation aids.

· List the functions of presentation aids.

· Identify the kinds of presentation aids available for use in speeches and when each would be appropriate.

· Explain how to properly design and use presentational aids in a speech.

Chapter 12: The Body of the Speech

· Explain why organization is vital to an effective speech.

· Identify the six guidelines for choosing the main ideas and phrasing them effectively.

· Distinguish between the six most common organizational patterns used in speeches.

· Explain how to organize supporting material in the speech.

Chapter 13: Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions

· Explain the major functions of a speech introduction.

· Explain the major functions of a speech conclusion.

· Discuss ways to link ideas together through the use of transitions and their functions.

Chapter 14: Outlining the Speech

· Describe the functions that outlines serve.

· Distinguish between the different types of speech outlines.

· Explain the proper way to construct a speech outline.

· Describe the important aspects of a delivery outline

Chapter 19: The Informative Speech

· Discuss both the general and specific principles of informative speaking.

· Distinguish between the three major types of informative speeches.

· Identify the strategies for developing the three major types of informative speeches.

Short Answer: I will choose 5 of the following questions for the short answer section of the test. There will be no surprises.

1. Identify and explain at 3 differences between public speaking and conversation.

2. List 3 ways a speaker can control his/her nervousness while giving a speech.

3. What can we do to become more effective listeners?

4. Distinguish between the general purpose, specific purpose, and thesis of a speech.

5. List the major functions of speech introductions and speech conclusions.

6. List and define the six organizational patterns discussed in class. Be sure to include the major identifying characteristic of each pattern.

7. Explain how we critically evaluate examples and narratives to determine whether they should be used in a speech.

8. List the major functions of visual aids.