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1. The first step of organizing a speech is determining the main points.
A) True
B) False
2. Even a little bit of disorganization can ruin a speech.
A) True
B) False
3. The strategic process of deciding how to order speech points into a coherent and
convincing pattern for your topic and audience was called arrangement by classical rhetoricians.
A) True
B) False
4. Of unity, coherence, and balance, only balance can be assessed by simply looking at an
outline and not even reading it.
A) True
B) False
5. A speech is composed of three general parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
A) True
B) False
6. If a main point contains more than one idea, you should eliminate one.
A) True
B) False
7. The introduction of a speech tells listeners where the speaker is taking them.
A) True
B) False
8. The body of a speech presents main points that are intended to fulfill the speech purpose.
A) True
B) False
9. Main points express the key ideas and major themes of the speech.
A) True
B) False
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10. The thesis statement expresses the goal of the speech, whereas the specific purpose
statement expresses the theme or central idea of the speech.
A) True
B) False
11. Research has shown that audiences can comfortably take in up to nine main points.
A) True
B) False
12. The fewer main points in a speech, the greater the odds that you will keep your listeners’
attention.
A) True
B) False
13. Listeners have better recall of the main points made at the beginning and at the end of a
speech than of those made in between.
A) True
B) False
14. A main point should not introduce more than one idea.
A) True
B) False
15. Each main point should be expressed as an interrogative sentence.
A) True
B) False
16. Presenting each main point as a declarative sentence emphasizes the point and alerts
audience members to the main thrusts of the speech.
A) True
B) False
17. Whenever possible, main points should be stated in parallel grammatical form.
A) True
B) False
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18. Every speech will have more supporting points than main points.
A) True
B) False
19. In a Roman numeral outline, the most important points are closest to the left margin.
A) True
B) False
20. In an outline, subordination is indicated by indentation.
A) True
B) False
21. The most common outline format is the Roman numeral outline.
A) True
B) False
22. In a Roman numeral outline, third-level points are typically enumerated with capital
letters. A) True
B) False
23. Indentations in an outline enhance the speaker’s recollection of points and make it easy
for the speaker to follow the outline as he or she speaks.
A) True
B) False
24. Outlines are based on the principles of coordination and subordination.
A) True
B) False
25. Ideas that are coordinate are given unequal weight.
A) True
B) False
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26. In an outline, subordinate points are indicated by their parallel alignment, and coordinate
points are indicated by their indentation below the more important points.
A) True
B) False
27. A well-organized speech is characterized by unity, coherence, and balance.
A) True
B) False
28. Coherence refers to a speech containing only those points that are implied by the
purpose and thesis statements.
A) True
B) False
29. Unity refers to clear and logical organization.
A) True
B) False
30. The speech body should follow logically from the introduction, and the conclusion
should follow logically from the body.
A) True
B) False
31. The principle of balance suggests that appropriate emphasis or weight be given to each
part of the speech relative to the other parts and to the theme.
A) True
B) False
32. Assigning each main point at least two supporting points is one aspect of balance.
A) True
B) False
33. Words, phrases, or sentences that tie the speech ideas together and enable the speaker to
move smoothly from one point to the next are called transitions.
A) True
B) False
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34. The words similarly, however, and finally are examples of transitional words.
A) True
B) False
35. In any speech, there should always be an equal amount of transitions and connectives.
A) True
B) False
36. Rhetorical questions invite actual responses from the audience.
A) True
B) False
37. In moving between supporting points, single words or phrases such as Next, . . . and
Finally, let’s consider . . . are effective.
A) True
B) False
38. Transitions should only be used between the introduction and the body of your speech.
A) True
B) False
39. Within the body itself, internal previews can be used to alert audience members to a shift
from one main point or idea to another.
A) True
B) False
40. Transitions between main points can be handled using single words, phrases, or full
sentences.
A) True
B) False
41. A rhetorical question can be used as a full-sentence transition.
A) True
B) False
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42. Transitions are also called connectives.
A) True
B) False
43. Organizing the speech was called ______ by classical rhetoricians.
A) pathos
B) invention
C) arrangement
D) logos
44. The body of a speech consists of
A) thesis statements and introductions.
B) main points, supporting points, and transitions.
C) specific purpose statements and internal summaries.
D) bibliographical statements.
45. One function of the conclusion to a speech is
A) thanking the audience.
B) reiterating why the thesis is relevant to the audience.
C) asking the audience to take action.
D) supporting the main points with evidence.
46. Which of the following expresses the goal of the speech?
A) specific purpose statement
B) thesis statement
C) main points
D) supporting points
47. Research indicates that audiences prefer speeches that contain ______ main points.
A) one to two
B) two to seven
C) five to ten
D) at least six
48. Ideas that are coordinate are given equal _____.
A) time
B) supporting points
C) weight
D) attention
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49. A well-organized speech is characterized by
A) unity, coherence, and balance.
B) unity, coordination, and balance.
C) unity, subordination, and coherence.
D) unity, coordination, and subordination.
50. Identify what type of transition is demonstrated by the following sentence:
Could there really be a way for internal-combustion engines to surpass 50 miles per gallon in
city driving?
A) rhetorical question
B) open-ended question
C) internal preview
D) internal summary
51. Which of the following draws together ideas before a speaker proceeds to another speech
point? A) connective
B) rhetorical preview
C) internal preview
D) internal summary
52. If you find you have too many main points,
A) cut the weaker ones.
B) your speech purpose may be too specific.
C) your topic may be too narrow.
D) your topic may be too broad.
53. ______ can serve the dual function of signaling shifts between speech points and
indicating relationships between ideas.
A) Transitions
B) Internal previews
C) Internal summaries
D) Rhetorical questions
54. Which transitional word/phrase could be used to illustrate cause and effect?
A) similarly
B) not only
C) thus
D) most importantly
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Answer Key
1. A
2. B
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45. D
46. A
47. B