Chapter 11
Topic Selection and Development
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The difference between a topic and a subject is that _______
2. _______ is an uncritical, unevaluative process of generating ideas.
3. If you had several related ideas for a speech topic and wanted to explore the connections
between them, you could _______
4. When considering the rhetorical situation for a speech, you should _______
5. The uncertainty reduction theory helps _______
6. For a speech on ratings of nursing homes, which of the following would probably be the most
important bit of data about an audience for a speaker?
7. One likely way to get information about a prospective audience is
_______
8. To forecast audience reactions, a speaker should use the data collected to answer which of the
following questions?
9. The reason for gathering demographic data is so that you can _______
10. When analyzing the speech setting, you should consider _______
11. The specific speech goal should _______
12. When giving a speech about homelessness in her county, Marjorie cites an article from her
local newspaper. This is an example of using
_______
13. A specific speech goal _______
14. Which of the following is an example of plagiarism?
15. Which of the following would be the best wording of the specific goal for a speaker who wants
to support the implementation of a tax cut?
16. Your personal knowledge about a subject is _______
17. Data that you personally collect from the real world is considered _______
18. How many sources should you use in a speech?
19. When you want to get the opinion of a large number of people on a topic,
_______
20. Using the most updated edition of a source is a means of ensuring that source’s _______
21. Which of the following statements about narratives is accurate?
d. Narratives can be a good substitute for statistical data.
22. Hakim is giving a speech in 2010 about the fuel-efficiency of hybrid cars. Which of the
following internet articles is the strongest resource for this speech?
d. A detailed study by an unnamed author and organization from 2010
23. When using statistics in a speech you should _______
24.
A
_______
is a planned, structured conversation where one person asks questions and
another answers them.
25. When using anecdotes or narratives in a speech, _______
26. If you mentioned U.S. Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, Kennedy, and Reagan in a portion of your
speech to help make a point, you would be using factual statements called _______
27. If you follow the statement that small schools can produce pro football players with the
statement that Steve Kreider, the former Bengals wide receiver, graduated from Lehigh, you
would be using a(n) _______
28. In preparing statistics for a speech, a speaker should _______
29. When using statistics in a speech, always remember that _______
30. To classify an individual as an expert he or she must be _______
31. “Unlike last year, this year we have a cooperative manager” is an example of _______
32. If you referred to a football team’s defensive line by saying, “Our team’s line is a stone wall,”
you would be using a(n)
_______
197
33. Which of the following statements about the use of quotations is accurate?
34. Plagiarism is _______
35. When preparing the notes for your speech, you should
_______
36. When citing sources in your speech, you should _______
37. Of the following, the best way to cite a source in a speech would be _______
True/False Questions
1. The speaker should not be concerned with the size of the audience and special expectations
for a speech, as that is the job of the person or organization sponsoring the speech.
2. The “exigence” of a speech is the reason the speech needs to be given.
3. If Kwame is trying to explain the four steps to an exercise program, his general goal is to
persuade the audience.
4. Expert opinions are interpretations of facts and judgments made by qualified authorities.
5. A specific speech goal does not need to include the complete desired audience response, only
a general idea.
198
6. It is not necessary to cite a source when you paraphrase it.
7. Expert opinions are considered trustworthy and can be used to take the place of facts.
8. A source must be cited within a speech even if it is cited in your bibliography.
Essay Questions
1. You have been chosen to give a speech on a topic of your choice and for an audience of your
choice. Identify the audience, occasion, topic, and general and specific goals. Discuss the
audience analysis and considerations for the physical setting of your speech.
2. Discuss the difference between marginalizing and stereotyping. How can these practices
effect your competence as a speaker?
3. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of using quotations within a speech.
4. How can you be sure to avoid plagiarism during a speech?
5. Imagine you are going to give a speech about smoking on campus. Identify one piece of
personal experience or observation, one primary source, one secondary source, and one
anecdote that you could use in this speech.
199