KEY
Chapter 12: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining
Presentations
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. __________ are the central claims that support a speaker’s specific purpose and thesis statement.
2. The organizational pattern that presents the main points of a speech forward in a systematic, time-related
fashion is named the __________ pattern.
3. Brad is organizing his speech on the process of rebuilding a transmission. What organizational pattern would
best suit his needs for this speech?
4. What organizational pattern do the following main points represent?
I. Small breed dogs, like Chihuahuas, make an excellent pet for people who do not have a lot of physical
space.
II. Larger breed dogs, like Labrador Retrievers, make an excellent pet for people who have plenty of outdoor
space.
III. Other dogs, like Greyhounds, offer compassionate people an opportunity to rescue a pet that needs stability
and TLC.
5. Which organizational pattern organizes the main points according to their physical proximity to or position in
relation to one another?
6. Which of the following is not one of the steps in the motivated sequence pattern?
7. Speeches that use the narrative pattern focus on
8. “Words and phrases that connect different thoughts, points, and details in a way that allows them to flow
naturally from one to the next” is most closely associated with which of the following terms?
9. “First,” “Additionally,” and “Moving on” are all examples of what your textbook authors call
10. __________ involves making a vague or indirect reference to people, historical events, or concepts to give
deeper meaning to the message.
11. “We are drowning in high–fructose corn syrup and there is no lifeguard on duty, so it’s time for us to learn to
swim,” is an example of a/an
12. A comparison between two things that uses the words like or as is referred to as a/an
13. Speakers usually use a/an __________ outline as a rough draft they revisit and revise continually throughout
True/False Questions
3. A speech organized using a chronological pattern may present the main points of a message either forward or
4. Research suggests that audiences usually remember the middle points of a speech better than the first and last
6. Cause-effect pattern is one of the most effective to use when a speaker wants to convince an audience to engage
8. The spatial pattern would be the most ideal organizational pattern for a speech in which you describe the
11. Including jargon and other technical language the audience doesn’t understand in a speech is an effective way
of building credibility on the subject and usually inspires an audience to want to learn more about the subject.
12. Repetition of well-crafted sentences or specific words and phrases can help leave a memorable impression on
13. Allusion refers to the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of successive words in a speech.
16. Effective speeches usually begin with a statement such as, “Hi, my name is Jamaal, and I’m here to talk to you
17. Anecdotes can be used effectively as the opening of a speech as long as they are vividly told and are clearly
18. Speakers should avoid beginning their speech by posing a question because it takes the focus off the speaker
19. Most audiences prefer a speaker to keep the organization, including the main points, of their speech a mystery
20. Sentence outlines that are written out word-for-word, exactly the way the speaker plans to give the speech,
21. The authors of the textbook advise that speakers include brief reminders about important information related to
Short-Answer Questions
1. Describe the test the authors suggest for ensuring that your main points are on the right track.
H = Identifying Your Main Points (p. 261); C = comprehension; D = 2
2. What organizational pattern do the following main points utilize?
I. Single-family homes offer homeowners privacy and a great investment opportunity, but require maintenance
work and are too expensive for some first-time buyers.
II. Condos and town homes offer homeowners an affordable low-maintenance housing option, but are less
private and appreciate in value at a slower rate than single-family homes do.
H = Topical Pattern (p. 262); C = comprehension and analysis; D = 3
3. For which of the three general purposes discussed in Chapter 11 would the problem-
solution pattern be best suited?
H = Problem-Solution Pattern (p. 263); C = synthesis and evaluation; D =3
4. List the five steps in the motivated sequence.
H = Motivated Sequence Pattern (p. 264); C = knowledge; D = 2
5. In your own words, define a transition.
H = Transitions (p. 264); C = knowledge; D = 2
6. Provide an example of a signpost.
H = Signposts (p. 264); C = comprehension; D = 1
7. What are the purposes of internal previews and summaries?
H = Internal Previews and Internal Summaries (p. 265); C = comprehension; D = 2
8. What is allusion, and why would a speaker use it in a speech?
H = Allusion (p. 267); C = comprehension; D = 2
9. What is the difference between simile and metaphor?
10. Provide an example of a simile.
H = Comparisons: Similes and Metaphors (p. 267); C = comprehension; D = 2
11. List four strategies for grabbing an audience’s attention at the beginning of a speech.
H = Capture Your Audience’s Attention (pp. 269‒270); C = knowledge; D = 3
12. Besides grabbing attention, what else should a speaker accomplish during the introduction of a speech?
13. What is wrong with the following excerpt from a phrase outline describing how to make stained glass?
I. Select and cut out design
A. Use the right kind of scissors
II. Trace paper pieces onto glass
A. Use waterproof marker
H = Essentials of Outlining (p. 274); C = analysis; D = 3
14. A __________ is the final speech plan, complete with details, delivery tips, and notes about presentational aids.
H = From Preparation Outline to Speaking Outline (p. 276); C = knowledge; D = 1
1. Describe the following organizational patterns and the types of speeches each would work well to organize:
chronological pattern, topical pattern, spatial pattern, problem-solution pattern, cause-effect pattern, and
motivated sequence pattern.
C = knowledge and comprehension; D = 2
2. Compare and contrast the working and speaking outlines. How does the speaker transition from a working
outline to a speaking outline? Between the sentence, phrase, and key-word styles of outlines, which ones work
best for working outlines and which ones work better for speaking outlines?
*Note: if testing is done after coverage of Chapter 13, this question can be adapted to synthesize information
about delivery by adding: How might the style of outline used impact the effectiveness of the speaker’s
delivery?
C = comprehension and synthesis; D = 1
3. There are some essential guidelines for writing a good outline, regardless of whether it is a working or speaking
outline, or whether it is a sentence, phrase, or key-word outline. Describe, in detail, what you understand those
guidelines to be.
C = knowledge and comprehension; D = 2
4. What are the three crucial tasks the introduction of a speech must accomplish? Explain how a speaker can
accomplish those tasks.
C = knowledge and comprehension; D = 2
5. Describe how transitions, signposts, internal previews, and internal summaries are used in the body of the
speech.
C = knowledge and comprehension; D = 1
6. What are the three functions of a well-written conclusion? Describe some of the options a speaker has for
accomplishing those functions.
C = knowledge and comprehension; D = 2
7. Explain why the language a speaker uses is critical to his or her success as a speaker. Based on what you have
learned in this chapter, what advice do you have for how a speaker can use language effectively and avoid some
common pitfalls that can get in the way of the speech’s success?
*This question can be used to synthesize information from Chapter 11 by specifically referencing the idea of
ethics by adding: Why is it an ethical obligation of the speaker to use language appropriately in his or her
speech? or How can the use of inappropriate language undermine the dignity of the audience, and how can a
speaker demonstrate his or her integrity through the use of appropriate language? or How can appropriate
language usage help a speaker demonstrate to an audience that he or she is trustworthy, respectful, responsible,
and fair?
C = knowledge, comprehension, synthesis, and analysis; D = 2 (or 3 if you ask students to use information from
Chapter 11)