1. Limiting the number of ideas in your speech may be necessary to ensure adequate depth of analysis.
a. True
b. False
2. The occasion for a speech is closely related to its context.
a. True
b. False
3. A thesis sentence and the speech title are essentially the same thing.
a. True
b. False
4. Thesis statements should be written as questions your audience should answer.
a. True
b. False
5. A 5-minute speech can be thought of as 10 long, developed paragraphs.
a. True
b. False
6. Theproposition,“TheRothIRA(individualretirementaccount)isnottaxdeductible”isanexampleofa
proposition of fact.
a. True
b. False
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Chapter 10 Topic Selection
7. Theproposition,“Rapmusicpromotesviolence”isapropositionofpolicy.
a. True
b. False
8. Theproposition,“’RealityTV’isabadinfluenceonteenagers”isapropositionofvalue.
a. True
b. False
9. A thesis statement should be stated as a single declarative statement.
a. True
b. False
10. All good speeches have titles.
a. True
b. False
11. Which of the following is not a criterion for selecting a speech topic?
a. Appropriate to the audience
b. Noncontroversial
c. Relatedtospeaker’sinterests
d. Timely
e. Timeless
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Chapter 10 Topic Selection
12. Which of the following questions should you first consider to help you brainstorm potential topics?
a. Who are the audience members?
b. What are the expectations of the audience?
c. What are some timeless topics?
d. What special knowledge or expertise do you have?
e. How long do you have to prepare?
13. Thephrase“toinformtheaudienceaboutthethreenecessaryelementstohostingasuccessfulparty”wouldbe
considered a:
a. General purpose
b. Specific purpose
c. Primary audience analysis
d. Thesis statement
14. To narrow your topic effectively, you should consider all of the following except _____.
a. Which aspects of your topic are the most exciting to present?
b. Which aspects of your topic are best covered in the public, oral mode?
c. Which aspects of your topic are best suited to this audience and occasion?
d. Which aspects of your topic can you present most effectively?
15. Which of the following intentions would be appropriate in a speech to invite?
a. Explain
b. Convince
c. Influence
d. Explore
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Chapter 10 Topic Selection
16. Which of the following intentions would be appropriate in a speech to inform?
a. Explain
b. Convince
c. Influence
d. Explore
17. Which of the following is a proposition of policy?
a. It is unethical to advertise cigarettes on billboards within two miles of an elementary or junior high school
b. American College should lower fees for undergraduate students
c. The death penalty is immoral
d. Television violence leads to aggressive behavior in children
e. All of the above are propositions of policy
18. What is the specific purpose? Explain why you should not proceed with planning your speech until you have
clearly identified the specific purpose.
19. Explain what is wrong, if anything, with the following thesis statements:
What kinds of special effects are used in the film Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace?
The United States government should oppose terrorism.
How much money from the state lottery actually goes to education?
20. Suppose you were speaking on depression. Phrase a thesis sentence and then state your primary and contributing
audience outcomes.
21. Select one of the following topics and describe how it could be made into a speech to inform, invite, persuade,
and evoke. Topics: Skin cancer, Reality television, Politics, Environmentalism, Education, Social networking
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Chapter 10 Topic Selection
22. Write a proposition of fact, value and policy on each of the following general topics:
Lottery
Exercise
Marriage
23. Explain how the specific purpose of a speech is related to the desired outcomes of a speech.
Name: Class: Date:
Chapter 10 Topic Selection