Final Exam

Final Exam Study Guide

Note: This is meant as a guide to direct your study for the final 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 final 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 5: Criticism in the Classroom

· Explain the productive value of criticism.

· Explain how culture influences the giving and receiving of criticism.

· Identify and distinguish among the three major standards of criticism.

· List the principles of expressing criticism.

Chapter 10: The Audience: Sociological Analysis and Adaptation

· Explain why audience analysis is vital for effective public speaking.

· Explain the influence of the audience’s attitudes, values and beliefs on their perceptions of your message.

· Explain the value of determining the demographic characteristics of an audience.

· Differentiate between generalizations about audiences and stereotypes.

· Explain the influence of contextual factors on public speeches.

Chapter 11: The Audience: Psychological Analysis and Adaptation

· Explain how you approach an unwilling audience.

· Explain how you approach an unfavorable audience.

· Explain how you approach a passive audience.

· Explain how you adapt a speech based on the knowledge level of your audience.

· Explain how homogenous and heterogeneous audiences differ.

· Explain how you can adapt to your audience during the speech.

Chapter 15: Characteristics of Style

· Explain the dimensions of language that speakers can manipulate.

· Distinguish the differences between written and oral style.

· Describe the five important factors to consider when using humor in a speech.

Chapter 16: Effective Style in Public Speaking

· Explain the guidelines for choosing language well.

· Describe how to properly phrase a speech.

· Explain how to use language to make your speech memorable.

Chapter 17: Characteristics of Delivery

· Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the four methods of speech delivery.

· List and explain the characteristics of effective speech delivery.

· Explain the general guidelines for using notes during your speech.

Chapter 18: Effective Speech Delivery

· Explain how to maximize your use of vocal volume, rate, and pitch.

· Explain the nature of and problems associated with articulation and pronunciation.

· Explain the function of pauses in public speaking and how they can be used effectively.

· Explain how the speaker may deal with each of the major aspects of bodily delivery.

Chapter 20: The Persuasive Speech

· Define attitude, belief, value, and behavior as used in persuasion.

· Define and distinguish among questions of fact, value, and policy.

· Explain the principles of persuasion.

· Define and explain the strategies for developing the speech to strengthen or change attitudes or beliefs.

· Define and explain the strategies for developing the speech to stimulate action.

Chapter 21: Developing Arguments

· Define argument and evidence.

· Explain the nature of reasoning from specific instances and generalizations.

· Explain the nature of reasoning by analogy.

· Explain the nature of cause-effect reasoning.

· Explain the nature of reasoning by sign.

Chapter 22: Motivating Behavior

· Explain the role of motivational appeals in persuasion and the principles governing motivation.

· Explain the variety of motivational appeals and how they work in public speaking.

· Explain the guidelines for evaluating motivational appeals.

Chapter 23: Speaker Credibility

· Define speaker credibility and explain the ways in which credibility impressions may be formed.

· Define competence and explain how it may be established in a speech.

· Define character and explain how it may be established in a speech.

· Define charisma and explain how it may be established in a speech.

· Explain the general guidelines for establishing credibility.

· Explain the standards to be used in evaluating credibility appeals.

Short Answer: The first question listed here will be on the exam and will be worth 18 points. Three of the remaining five questions will also be included.

1. You will be given a persuasive argument (I’m providing one below for you to practice with). Identify and define each component of the argument diagram we discussed in class (it will not be necessary to draw the model), then apply the parts of the model to the parts of the argument provided.

Practice argument: The New York Times reports that unemployment has declined. Since experience with previous recessions tell us that lower unemployment is a sign of economic recovery, the economy is probably on the road to recovery, unless fewer people are seeking employment because they are discouraged.

2. Philip is giving a speech on the dangers of using pesticides on produce. He wants the audience to know that the world’s supply of produce is seriously threatened by the overuse of these dangerous pesticides. He plans to offer alternative methods for reducing the insect population, but he is concerned that the audience won’t take the threat seriously. What steps should Philip take to make his appeal effective?

3. Draw and label Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

4. Distinguish between the three types of persuasive propositions.

5. Discuss the benefits of administering an audience analysis questionnaire on your subject before writing your speech.

6. List and define 5 different language styles. Provide an example of each.