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1. Organization is particularly important in oral communication as opposed to written
communication because:
A) listeners cannot review material if they are confused
B) organization only works with spoken words
C) people tend to prefer a free-form writing style
D) structure must be heard and not viewed
2. The body of your speech should be structured around your __________.
A) signposts
B) main points
C) transitions
D) subpoints
3. When selecting your main points, you should __________.
A) take your audience into account
B) include at least five main points
C) disregard your specific purpose
D) present randomly ordered ideas
4. What should you do if you find that you have only one main point?
A) Develop a speech with only one main point
B) Start over and research a new topic
C) Make that point the thesis of your speech
D) Include numerous presentation aids to make your speech seem longer
5. In a spatial pattern, speech elements are arranged according to __________.
A) cause
B) importance
C) location
D) similarities
6. A speech on the different parts of a bat’s wing would be best organized by using a
__________ pattern.
A) categorical
B) causal
C) comparison
D) spatial
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7. A speaker who would like to discuss the historical events leading up to the Boston Tea
Party should use which organizational pattern?
A) Comparison
B) Spatial
C) Chronological
D) Categorical
8. If you wanted to explain why gas prices have risen in recent months, which
organizational pattern should you use?
A) Comparison
B) Causal
C) Categorical
D) Chronological
9. A _________ pattern would be the best choice for a speech that discusses the similarities
and differences between zoos and wildlife preserves.
A) chronological
B) categorical
C) causal
D) comparison
10. When preparing a speech, you should include __________ subpoint(s) for each main
point. A) no more than one
B) no more than two
C) at least two
D) at least three
11. In a well-organized speech, a main point should be coordinate with __________.
A) other main points
B) signposts
C) subpoints
D) sub-subpoints
12. What should you do if one of your subpoints doesn’t relate to any of your main points
but you still want to include it in your presentation?
A) Add the supporting material to the conclusion
B) Distribute the material to the audience as a handout
C) Reword a main point to encompass the material
D) Use the material as personal testimony
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13. The statement “Now that you have learned about the muscles of the hand, let me tell you
about the muscles of the lower arm” is an example of a(n) __________.
A) internal preview
B) internal summary
C) signpost
D) transition
14. As speech elements, the phrases “according to Jerome Kennedy . . .” and “my second
main point . . .” are examples of __________.
A) internal summaries
B) internal previews
C) signposts
D) transitions
15. A speaker who says “To review, to create a butterfly garden you should use a wide
selection of plants, place similar plants in groups, and provide sunny and shady spots” has used
which organizational device?
A) Signposts
B) Internal preview
C) Internal summary
D) Transition
16. You should start your speech with a(n) __________.
A) attention-getter
B) summary
C) clincher
D) delivery reminder
17. Daniela decided to begin her speech with a brief anecdote. What should she do after
finishing the story?
A) Show her audience what’s in it for them
B) Establish her credibility
C) Present an attention-getter
D) Signal her thesis
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18. “Today I will be discussing tablet use for the classroom. First, I will discuss the benefits
of tablets, and then I will talk about the cost of a tablet. Finally, I will end with my
recommendations for the best tablets for the classroom.” This is an example of a(n)
__________.
A) attention-getter
B) preview
C) clincher
D) transition
19. Which statement about the conclusion of a speech is true?
A) You should develop at least one new idea in your conclusion.
B) Your conclusion should last no more than a minute.
C) Your conclusion should begin with an attention-getter.
D) You should not include a transition in your conclusion.
20. A __________ is a brief review of your main points.
A) signpost
B) clincher
C) delivery reminder
D) summary
21. What are the main sections of a working outline?
A) Overview, main points, subpoints
B) Introduction, body, conclusion
C) Introduction, main points, subpoints
D) Overview, body, conclusion
22. When creating the works cited list for your speech, you should __________.
A) include sources not quoted in your speech
B) provide a full citation for each source that you used
C) write your thesis statement at the top of the list
D) use several styles to document your sources
23. What should you do if you are using a word processor to prepare your speaking outline?
A) Write complete sentences
B) Use double-spacing
C) Use a small font
D) Include main points but not subpoints
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24. When creating your speaking outline, you should __________.
A) use abbreviations whenever possible
B) omit any words that are difficult to pronounce
C) write out your transitions word-for-word
D) include evidence, but omit any citation information
25. Which is an example of a delivery reminder?
A) “My first point is . . .”
B) “Next, let’s address . . .”
C) “LOOK UP!”
D) “Are there any questions?”
26. The body of your speech is where you present your main points and back them with
evidence and supporting materials.
A) True
B) False
27. Supporting points are designed to prove or substantiate your main points.
A) True
B) False
28. In a speech, all main points should relate to the speech’s specific purpose.
A) True
B) False
29. In most situations, effective speeches present at least five main points.
A) True
B) False
30. A speech that first discussed Beyoncé’s performance in childhood singing and dancing
contests, then her experience with Destiny’s Child in the 1990s, and finally her work as a solo
artist in recent years would be using a comparison pattern.
A) True
B) False
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31. A categorical pattern is effective if a speaker has a diverse set of main points, each of
which emphasizes a different but important aspect of the topic.
A) True
B) False
32. Main points are the highest level of subordination in a speech, and supporting materials
are subordinate to those main points.
A) True
B) False
33. Each sub-subpoint must be relevant to the subpoint that it is supporting.
A) True
B) False
34. Transitions explain to listeners why they should change their mind and accept the
speaker’s perspective on the topic.
A) True
B) False
35. Like signposts on the road, signposts in speeches are designed to provide direction.
A) True
B) False
36. In speeches, signposts are sometimes used to signal that speakers are about to cite
research.
A) True
B) False
37. The introduction to a ten-minute speech should last at least two minutes.
A) True
B) False
38. When listeners believe that a speaker is like them, they tend to see him or her as less
credible.
A) True
B) False
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39. By signaling your thesis in your introduction, you let the audience know what your
speech will be about.
A) True
B) False
40. One way to build your credibility as a speaker is to show that you have experience and
education relevant to your topic.
A) True
B) False
41. You should develop at least one new idea when presenting your conclusion.
A) True
B) False
42. After presenting your final main point, you should insert transitional language that
signals to the audience that you are ready to wrap up your presentation.
A) True
B) False
43. A clincher should take about two minutes in a typical speech.
A) True
B) False
44. A clincher that delivers an emotional charge makes a speech particularly memorable.
A) True
B) False
45. When preparing your working outline, you should start each main point at the right
margin.
A) True
B) False
46. You should use full sentences or detailed phrases in your working outline.
A) True
B) False
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47. If you are quoting a source’s exact words rather than paraphrasing, you should present
the information word-for-word on your working outline, and enclose the information in
quotation marks.
A) True
B) False
48. Your working outline should be a briefer version of your speaking outline.
A) True
B) False
49. Your speaking outline should include roman numerals, capital letters, and numbers to
identify main points, subpoints, and sub-subpoints.
A) True
B) False
50. Your delivery reminders on your speaking outline should be written in a different color
of ink or should be highlighted.
A) True
B) False
51. In the ______________ pattern of speech organization, main points are adjacent to one
another in location or geography.
52. Speeches that present information in a time-based sequence, from beginning to end,
follow a(n) ______________, or temporal, organizational pattern.
53. Events and their outcomes are linked in speeches structured according to a(n)
______________ pattern.
54. A(n) ______________ pattern organizes a speech around the major similarities and
differences between two events, objects, or situations.
55. Speakers organize their speeches according to the ______________ pattern when they
have a diverse set of main points to support the thesis of their speech.
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56. Using ______________ means creating a hierarchy of points and their supporting
materials in your speech.
57. In a speech, the supporting materials that are used to develop main points are called
______________.
58. When drafting outlines for their speeches, speakers should be sure to place
______________ lower in the hierarchy than subpoints.
59. In addition to subordination, the outlines of well-organized speeches demonstrate the
principle of ______________, which means that all main points are at the same level of
significance.
60. A(n) ______________ is a sentence that indicates a speaker is moving from one part of
the speech to the next.
61. ______________ are words or phrases within sentences that help audiences understand a
speech’s structure.
62. A speaker about to begin a complex main point might start with a(n) ______________ to
alert the audience to the ideas that will follow.
63. In a speech, a(n) ______________ quickly reviews what a speaker just said.
64. A(n) ______________ is content that leaves a lasting impression of your speech in your
listeners’ minds.
65. A(n) ______________ is a written method of organizing a speech using sentences,
phrases, or key words.
66. Discuss three ways to select the main points for your speech, and provide at least one
example.
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67. Discuss the five patterns of speech organization presented in the chapter, and provide an
example of each.
68. Identify and discuss the primary types of organizing language used in a speech.
69. Matthew is working on the introduction of his speech, but he’s a bit nervous because he
is not sure how to get his classmates to pay attention. Provide three recommendations Matthew
can choose from to get his audience’s attention.
70. How can you make sure your conclusion finishes with a memorable clincher? Provide
three recommendations, and include an example of each.
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Answer Key
1. A
2. B
3. A
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45. B
46. A