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1.
In your own words, what does it mean to be an objective speaker rather than a
subjective speaker?
2.
“People” is just one of the eight categories of informative speech topics. List at least
four of the remaining categories of informative speeches as discussed in your text.
3.
Give an example of an object or a phenomenon that could serve as the topic of an
informative speech.
4.
Define issue as a category of informative speech topics.
5.
What is the difference between a definition by example and a definition by synonym?
6.
In your own words, define a quasi-scientific explanation.
7.
__________ explanations illuminate a concept’s meaning and use by providing a list of
a concept’s critical features, contrasting examples of the concept, and then offering an
audience an opportunity to distinguish between contrasting examples by comparing
them to the concept’s critical features.
8.
In your own words, what do the authors of your text mean when they say you should
create information hunger?
9.
Provide an example of a phrase that would be helpful in drawing the audience’s
attention to an important piece of information just before you state it.
10.
What do we mean when we say that a good informative speaker will keep a speech
simple for his or her audience by building on their prior knowledge?
11.
Synthesizing what you have learned up to this point in the course, explain the role of
ethics as it relates to informative speaking.
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12.
List, describe, and provide examples of the eight categories of informative speeches that
are discussed in your textbook. What cautionary advice would you give to an
informative speaker about any of these eight categories?
13.
Your friend Sam’s family has owned a health food store since she was a little girl. She
has decided to do her informative speech about natural alternatives to the dangerous
cleaning products made by large corporations. She wants her audience to know that the
natural cleaning products are healthier and less polluting and hopes that she can inspire
her classmates to switch to using more natural products in their own homes. Will Sam’s
topic work for her informative speech? Why or why not? If changes are needed, what
specific advice would you give Sam to help her modify the topic?
14.
Compare and contrast the four approaches to informative speaking: description,
demonstration, definition, and explanation.
15.
Evangeline has chosen to deliver her speech on the topic of badminton. Specifically, she
plans to discuss the process of playing the sport. She has discovered that no one else in
her class has ever played the sport, so the information will be new. Unfortunately, none
of the classmates she spoke to seemed to indicate any interest in the subject. What
advice, besides simply selecting a new topic, would you give Evangeline to help her get
her audience excited about and interested in her topic?
16.
Describe the steps informative speakers can take to make their speech clear and easy for
the audience to understand.
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