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1.
What is the difference between coercion and persuasion?
2.
Define attitude as it relates to persuasive speaking.
3.
Provide an example of a proposition of fact.
4.
In your own words, define what is meant by a proposition of policy.
5.
List the five hierarchical needs identified by Abraham Maslow.
6.
Provide an example of a social need as defined within the hierarchy of needs.
7.
Explain the Elaboration Likelihood Model.
8.
__________ refers to the impact a speaker’s character and personality have on an
audience.
9.
Speakers who have strong ethos are perceived as credible and ______________.
10.
Compare/contrast inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning.
11.
“We do not need additional gun control laws. The 9/11 attackers used box cutters to take
over the planes!” What form of logical fallacy does this statement represent?
12.
Define reduction to the absurd as a form of logical fallacy.
13.
Imagine that a candidate criticized his or her opponent because of the way the opponent
dresses. What logical fallacy is used in this example?
14.
Provide an example of an argument that represents the either-or fallacy.
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15.
Which organizational pattern is a good choice when the audience already agrees that a
problem exists, eliminating the need for the speaker to spend time proving the existence
of a problem or the need for a solution?
16.
What are the five steps of Monroe’s motivated sequence?
17.
Describe the criteria that make for a good persuasive speech topic. Provide an example
of a poor topic and one that is suitable for a persuasive speech, and explain your
evaluation of each topic.
18.
Compare and contrast the three types of propositions used for persuasive speeches, and
provide an example of each type.
19.
Describe the differences among a receptive audience, a hostile audience, and a neutral
audience, and explain how remembering this information helps a speaker to develop a
persuasive speech. What particular advice do you have for a speaker who encounters
each type of audience?
20.
What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? How can a persuasive speaker use his or her
knowledge of an audience’s needs to create an effective speech?
21.
What are the forms of rhetorical proof that Aristotle identified? Define each form of
rhetorical proof and explain how a speaker would use each to effectively persuade an
audience.
22.
What do we mean when we refer to logical fallacies? List, define, and provide examples
of five forms of flawed logic, and explain what a speaker could do to avoid committing
these fallacies.
23.
Describe the organizational patterns that work well for persuasive speeches. What
advice would you give to a speaker to help determine whether each particular pattern
would work well for his or her speech?
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24.
Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter and others, what role does
ethics play in persuasive speaking? Why would we say that behaving ethically increases
a speaker’s chances of being successful at persuasive speaking? How does ethics relate
to logical fallacies?
25.
Consider the topic of the death penalty. First, construct a proposition of fact, a
proposition of value, and a proposition of policy that would support elimination of the
death penalty. What needs could a speaker taking a stance in repealing the death penalty
appeal to in his or her speech? Second, construct a proposition each of fact, value, and
policy that would support use of the death penalty for capital crimes. What needs could
a speaker taking this position appeal to in his or her speech?
26.
Council member Dee Jackson finds herself in a difficult position. She firmly believes
that approving a casino project to move forward in her community will stimulate the
economy of the district she represents and will provide the money that is needed to fund
both their ailing public schools and several public works projects that are critically
needed. Unfortunately, she has discovered that her constituents and the other members
of the city council oppose the casino being located in their community. Synthesizing
what you have learned in this chapter, what advice do you have for Ms. Jackson? What
should she consider as she develops her proposal and presents her appeal to her
audience?
27.
Research shows that when liking and credibility come into conflict, credibility carries
more weight. We are likely to be less moved by the speech even if we like the speaker.
Apply this to national politics and provide examples of this element of ethos.
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