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CHAPTER 14: Persuasive Speaking in a Democratic Society
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. In a democracy, the chief mechanism through which we select our leaders, determine our
civic priorities, resolve controversies and disputes, and choose among various policies is
__________.
A) coercion
B) persuasion
C) court rulings
D) executive power
A) the advocate of the most unpopular position
B) the defender of an existing policy or program
C) the advocate with the weakest credibility
D) the advocate of a new policy or program
3.
A) the burden of proof in a public policy debate
B) the burden of proof in an academic debate
C) the burden of proof in a criminal case
D) the burden of proof in a civil case
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A) an obligation to be honest, & presenting conclusive, irrefutable evidence
B) an obligation to be honest, & presenting a reasonable argument
C) presenting conclusive, irrefutable evidence, & presenting a reasonable argument
D) presenting a reasonable argument, & defending the status quo whenever it is challenged
5. A public controversy is a difference of opinion that __________.
A) affects large numbers of people, requires that we make one or more decisions, & has
implications for the whole community, perhaps even the nation or the world
B) affects large numbers of people, has implications for the whole community, perhaps even the
nation or the world, & has been ignored by the vast majority of people
C) requires that we make one or more decisions, has implications for the whole community,
perhaps even the nation or the world, & has been ignored by the vast majority of people
D) affects large numbers of people, requires that we make one or more decisions, & has been
ignored by the vast majority of people
of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
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ve made noteworthy gains combating several types of
__________.
A) law
B) fact
C) value
D) policy
8. Debates over value are debates about how we should __________ specific facts.
A) argue
B) prove
C) question
D) evaluate
9.
A) question of fact
B) question of value
C) question of policy
D) question of dilemma
10. Saul is addressing the topic of prescription drug abuse in the United States, contending that
__________.
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A) law
B) fact
C) value
D) policy
11. In her speech, Phoebe called attention to how people in the U.S. were building bigger and
issue of __________.
A) law
B) fact
C) value
D) policy
12. Vali presented a speech arguing that video games with first person drivers, who drag race
on public roadways, attempt to outrun police, and so on, prompt players to drive more
aggressively on our roadways. Vali has addressed an issue of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
13. The following statement addresses an issue of __________:
A) fact
B) value
C) policy
D) taste
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aboard foreign car
A) law
B) fact
C) value
D) policy
15. The popular game-show host campaigned against medical experiments on animals,
A) law
B) value
C) policy
D) fact
16. L
an issue of __________.
A) law
B) policy
C) value
D) fact
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ssed an issue of __________.
A) value
B) policy
C) fact
D) law
addressed an issue of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
-emission vehicles, we have abandoned our
__________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
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dressed an issue of __________.
A) law
B) value
C) policy
D) fact
21. Ryan presented a speech to convince his listeners that we must require drivers of low–
power scooters to wear helmets, ride solo, and carry accident insurance that would protect them
and others. Ryan has addressed an issue of __________.
A) fact
B) value
C) cause
D) policy
22. Tia presented a speech arguing that the state legislature should not appropriate tax dollars
for the construction of a new major league baseball stadium. She has presented a speech
addressing an issue of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
23. Kris presented a speech arguing that the state legislature should approve tax breaks that
a speech addressing an issue of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
24. Desari argued that we should implement a later start time for the school day in our public
schools, making the case that students perform better if they sleep a little later than they are
currently allowed to do. She has presented a speech addressing an issue of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
25. April presented a speech arguing that the university should declare itself a smoke-free
campus. She has presented a speech addressing an issue of __________.
A) fact
B) value
C) cause
D) policy
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26. Anji presented a speech arguing that the state should implement a primary enforcement seat
belt law legislation that would allow police to stop and ticket a driver for not wearing a seat
belt, just like any other routine traffic violation. With this advocacy, Anji has addressed an issue
of __________.
A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
27. In her speech, Emilie argued that we should regulate gun sales to remove military-style
weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips from the market, plus require rigorous background
checks for every purchase. In doing so, Emilie addressed a matter of __________.
A) fact
B) taste
C) value
D) policy
28. Which of the following topics suggests a persuasive speech addressing an issue
A) monarch b
B)
C)
D)
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A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
30. In her speech, Shelli wanted her audience to agree that more funding should be directed
toward the research and development of alternative energy sources. Shelli has addressed an
issue of ______.
A) value
B) fact
C) policy
D) law
31. In his speech, Jake argued that we should employ a wide range of luxury taxes to encourage
people to be content with fewer possessions, highlighting the benefits for the human race and
the new taxes. In this persuasive speech, Jake addressed a matter of __________.
A) fact
B) taste
C) value
D) policy
32. The eath with Dignity activist argued that the law should allow physician-assisted
suicide in cases of terminal illness. In doing so, the speaker addressed an issue of __________.
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A) policy
B) value
C) fact
D) law
33. Meg encouraged her sorority sisters to sign on to a mission trip as an alternative spring
break experience. She explained how she had gone on two such trips while in high school and
discussed the experiences she had working alongside other volunteers on housing projects in
sisters likely viewed her as having __________.
A) dynamism
B) competence
C) trustworthiness
D) open-mindedness
34. When speaking to her audience about the sacrifices one might make to acquire an
education, Phu recalled what she, herself, had had to do. She noted how she had worked two
jobs, lived in an efficiency apartment, and lived on cheap, microwave noodles and off-brand
peanut butter. By talking about her personal experiences, P
having __________.
A) dynamism
B) competence
C) trustworthiness
D) open-mindedness
35. While discussing whether corporal punishment is an appropriate means of discipline, the
candidate for the state legislature revealed she had considered different points of view. What is
the likely reaction of her audience to this statement?
A) They will view her as well-informed and open-minded on issues.
B) –
C) They will believe she lacks genuine conviction or has no moral compass.
D) They will believe she should formulate her opinions more fully prior to running.
electroshock gun, the candidate for the state legislature revealed she had considered different
points of view. What is the likely reaction of her audience to this statement?
A) They will view her as well-informed and open-minded on issues.
–
C) They will believe she lacks genuine conviction, indicative of no moral compass.
D) They will believe she should formulate her opinions more fully prior to running.
37. Although the mayor was denounced for his marital infidelity and was criticized for his lack
mixed assessment of the mayor reveals that __________.
A) most people value money more than family
B) people subconsciously admire virility and disregard personal indiscretions
C) people love a good scandal and vote along economic lines
D) an individual can be viewed positively or negatively, depending on the situation
38. Ethos refers to __________.
A)
B)
C)
D) the relevant experience a speaker has for her or his topic
39. Dynamism is an element of ethos characterized by __________.
A) delivery that, like all good art, takes an audience beyond its comfort zone
B) nearly constant gestures and movement, with little or no use of a podium
C) a balance of enthusiasm and self-control tailored to the situation
D) intense vocal emphasis, eye expressiveness, and gestures
40. In an effort to make messages more concrete, speakers often employ visualization, helping
function to __________.
A)
B) prompt the audience to ignore the facts of the case and follow their hearts
C)
D) clarify information that otherwise might be vague or unclear
41. Emotional appeals in persuasion __________.
A) add color to the speech but have minimal impact
B) are important if listeners are to be motivated to act
C) are generally unethical and are thus best avoided
D) should substitute for logical arguments whenever possible.
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42. The Red Cross spokesperson encouraged the audience to donate blood by noting that they
strong feeling, illustrate the use of __________.
A) affective language
B) objective language
C) excessive language
D) manipulative language
violence by a deranged individual
choices, which elicit strong feeling, illustrate the use of __________.
A) affective language
B) objective language
C) excessive language
D) manipulative language
44 have often
helped an industry get the firm footing it needs to stand on its own and become a major
contributor to our economy. It is akin to what we do for our children as we help them get their
footing as they start out on their own, and it is what many of our parents did for us. Such
practices work for families and for economies. We saw our investments pay off with oil, gas,
and with the auto industry, and we are already seeing it happen with the wind industry in Iowa
n of subsidies, the speaker enlisted __________.
A) familiar references
B) vivid detail
C) open-mindedness
D) attention-getters
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cationed in
of emotional appeal?
A)
behavior.
B) Ethically questionable
actual love of country.
C) Ethically sound, because she provides a concrete instance of how the other candidate failed
to show love of country when she had the choice.
D) Ethically sound, since it reveals how one candidate understands what it means to be patriotic
and how the other candidate does not.
True/False Questions
46. Expressing our opinions in public obliges us to make an argument; that is, we must support
our opinions up with facts and good reasons.
47 s opinions at all times.
48. Those supporting the status quo have to meet the highest burden of proof in a public
argument.
49. All fact claims are true.
50. It is most effective to settle questions of fact before turning to questions of value or policy.
51. A speech establishing a disputed fact could accurately be called an informative speech or a
persuasive speech.
52. Arguing for an extension of the tuition payment deadline, Dallas made a policy argument.
53. The constituents of ethos are open-mindedness, trustworthiness, competence, dynamism,
and attire.
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54 ethos; one is deeply
committed to that opinion.
55 f possible college into consideration
of people whom she trusts have her best interests at heart.
56. Ethos and ethics are two parts of the same concept.
57. While recounting a lengthy list of statistics on the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti,
Isabella displayed photographs of people affected by the quake. Isabella manipulated her
audience.
58. Emotional appeals are unethical. Speakers should avoid them.
59. A speech that excludes emotional appeals in favor of extremely well-researched content
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60. Vivid description and affective language are two ways in which speakers can use emotional
appeals to connect with their audience.
Essay Questions
61. What is a public controversy? Why is it important for students in a public speaking class to
address matters of public controversy in their speeches?
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topic of technology overreliance.
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63. Explain what it means when the textbook instructs us to think of ethos
Then, give an example (from your own knowledge, a hypothetical, or an example from the book
or from history) to illustrate this point.
64. Does context affect ethos? Explain how it does or does not, then give an example (from
your own knowledge, a hypothetical, or an example from the book or from history) to
illuminate your answer.
65. How do we ensure we are being ethical in our use of emotional appeal? Why is this even
important?
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