Topic: Organizing the Informative Speech
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
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renewable energy, independence from foreign suppliers, and economic growth. Organizing her
speech in this manner constituted using a __________ pattern.
A) causal
B) spatial
C) categorical
D) chronological
37. Abe spoke at freshman orientation, helping the newcomers gain a better sense of what the
town had to offer. He advanced the thesis that the town offered great places to eat, shop, and
have fun. He developed each, one by one, in the body of the speech. What organizational
pattern has he used?
A) spatial
B) chronological
C) categorical
D) causal
38. Jerome gave a speech regarding how the rate of childhood obesity is projected to impact
future public health expenditures. The pattern of organization he employed is a __________
pattern.
A) chronological
B) categorical
C) causal
D) spatial
39. Marcus presented a speech detailing how poverty can lead to an increased risk of childhood
obesity. The pattern of organization he employed is a __________ pattern.
A) categorical
B) causal
C) spatial
D) chronological
40. Garrison Keillor, host of the radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, sustains his
quality for capturing and maintaining attention has he utilized?
A) relevance
B) usefulness
C) novelty
D) variety
41. During her speech, Leah described how her childhood experiences working on a migrant
farm influenced her perceptions of the strong work ethic of migrant farm workers. By sharing
her personal story as part of her informative speech, Leah hopes to motivate her audience to
listen and learn from her presentation because of the __________ of her information.
A) novelty
B) relevance
C) importance
D) variety
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42. Jesse is preparing a speech to acquaint listeners with the role of citizens in his hometown
-a-
is a long-time volunteer himself, and he has numerous stories some humorous about the
endeavors, as well as startling statistics and other material that could be considered highly
–
A) Jesse should select the best one of these and use it in the introduction as an attention-getter.
B) Jesse should use one to grab attention in the introduction, and another to enhance the conclusion.
C) It would be best for Jesse to use many of them, in combination and in varying ways
throughout the speech.
D) Avoiding using humorous stories
choice.
43. Miguel is preparing a speech on measures some schools are taking to reduce bullying. He
has worked as a substitute teacher during college breaks and has numerous stories some
tastefully humorous about bullying, as well as startling statistics and other material that could
A) Miguel should use many of them, in combination and in varying ways throughout the
speech.
B) It would be wisest for Miguel to select the best one of these and use it in the introduction as
an attention getter.
C) Miguel ought to use one to grab attention in the introduction, and another to enhance the
conclusion.
choice would be to avoid using humorous stories about bullying, since the topic is
a serious one.
44. Jan is preparing a speech on how to establish a neighborhood watch program. He is a long–
time participant in such a program himself, and he has numerous stories some humorous
about the program, as well as startling statistics and other material that could be considered
–
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A) Jan must avoid using humorous stories about the program, since the topic is a serious one.
B) Jan should select the best one of these and use it in the introduction as an attention-getter.
C) It is best for Jan to use one to grab attention in the introduction, and another to enhance the
conclusion.
D) Jan ought to use many of them, in combination and in varying ways throughout the speech.
45. For his informative speech, Ralph presented research that suggested smoking cigarettes
listeners quickly tuned him out and contemplated other matters instead. What accounts for their
A) lack of relevance
B) lack of usefulness
C) lack of novelty
D) lack of variety
46. Which of the following is a technique a speaker might use to help listeners learn?
A) Present list after list of facts and figures, so they will learn a great deal.
B) Avoid repeating information and ideas to avoid boring the audience.
C) Involve listeners actively, such as posing provocative rhetorical questions.
D) Keep all coverage predictable, using familiar facts and common examples.
47. Dilru is a college student in Minnesota, and she is the grandchild of immigrants to the US
from India. Dilru wants her audience to understand the severity of the problem of rape in
to her audience.
A) clear
B) varied
C) relevant
D) novel
48. In order to help your audience learn, you should be careful to __________.
A) supply them with list after list of facts and figures during your presentation
B) include ample extraneous information so they will know more than the basics
C) create several summary tables for each of your subsidiary purposes
D) limit the number of details and translate statistics into audience-specific terms
True/False Questions
49. All informative speaking presents new, innovating information to audiences.
50. The main goal of informative speaking is audience understanding.
51. If your audience feels curious after your speech, you have successfully raised awareness.
52. Audiences know that a speaker is presenting an informative speech as long as the speaker says that
she or he hopes the audience understands their plan.
53. Job plans to present a demonstrative speech on how to use an automated external defibrillator
(AED) so the audience knows how to respond if someone around them suffers a cardiac episode. Even
though it would look interesting, bringing an AED to the speech would distract the audience and waste
54. Manuel was part of a committee reviewing human resources policies at his place of employment.
if he presented a speech of explanation.
55. Abigail needed to deliver a descriptive speech on the late Princess Diana. Abigail wanted to share
with her audience her sense of awe physical and spiritual. However, Abigail erred
by choosing to present a 2-minute Diana memorial video during her speech.
56. A speech of explanation is best when one wants the audience to understand complex and abstract
concepts.
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57. Shanice wants her audience to understand the complex relationship Black women have to
celebrations of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which legalized white woman suffrage. She
should use a categorical speech structure.
58. A speaker hoping to illustrate how hunger affects people worldwide should use a spatial structure.
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organizational structure was spatial. It is okay for Margie to use some elements of other organizational
patterns as she proceeds with her description.
60. Guides taking guests on walking tours of a city, campus, or museum provide their informative
material in a chronological structure.
Skill Level: Analyze It
61 -informed on the topic you will present on
and who attend your talk hoping to hear how they can get involved and help.
62: Interest motivates learning.
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Essay Questions
64. Explain the differences between informative speeches of description, of demonstration, of
explanation, and informative oral reports. Give a hypothetical situation in which each would be
appropriate.
65. Make an argument for the most appropriate organizational pattern for an informative speech on the
negative impacts of tobacco use. What are three main points one could make in such a speech?
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66. Jaq is a chemical engineering major who feels passionately about recycling. She wants to deliver
her informative speech on recycling, but she recognizes that this might present some challenges. What
challenges might Jaq face in pursuing this topic? Explain ways she can overcome them.
67. Paul holds an information session, which his flyers advertised as an opportunity for students to
learn more about campus rules about alcohol. At the event, Paul explains the different rules present on
academic performance and campus judicial board incidences. The next day, Paul announces his intent
Paul could have done differently.
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