CHAPTER 5: Developing Significant Topics
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. If you aspire to be an effective public speaker, how should you regard keeping up with local,
national, and world news?
A) Doing so constitutes a good source for generating topic ideas, but little else.
B) Doing so allows you to identify potential speech topics and begin forming opinions and
arguments.
C) Doing so can be useful for acquiring good examples if you are addressing a hot-button issue.
D) Doing so is of minimal value since so much of toda
of view.
2. When contemplating what would make a good topic for your next speech, you should
consider what you already care about and know. You should do so because __________.
A) you likely have a speech, ready-made in your head, that you can write up
B) you should choose a topic about which you are already an expert
C)
D) you will be motivated to learn more about a topic if it is truly meaningful to you
3. One should avoid __________ when brainstorming during a self-inventory.
A) using a set of categories to help you generate ideas for topics
B) writing down all of the possibilities that come to you
C)
D) working rapidly to record anything that comes to your mind
4. In order to find a good topic for his next speech, Jake conducts a self-inventory. He begins by
brainstorming for topics. While doing so, he should avoid __________.
A) using a set of categories to help him generate ideas for topics
B) writing down all of the possibilities that come to him
C)
D) working rapidly to record anything that comes to his mind
5. Kris, a criminal justice major, is contemplating possible, good topics for her next speech in
use of high-speed pursuit and whether those guidelines are well advised. How should Kris
proceed?
A) select a different topic since she likely will be biased in favor of law enforcement
B) select a different topic since many of her listeners are not criminal justice majors
C) modify her topic to explore something less sensationalized by television programs
D) pursue the topic, since it is meaningful to her and can be made so for her audience
6. Liz noticed that several recent movie releases showed stars smoking a particular brand of
cigarettes. As a double major in communication and psychology, Liz knows the power of those
images to influence viewers to mimic the behavior. For her next speech to her public speaking
class, Liz thinks she might explore whether product placement in movies should be regulated,
especially in light of restrictions long governing the advertising of certain harmful products.
How should Liz proceed?
A) pursue the topic, since it is meaningful to her and can be made so for her audience
B) select a different topic since she is obviously biased in her view of the subject
C) select a less-specialized topic since many of her listeners major in other areas
D) modify her topic to explore something more meaningful than attending movies
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7. Adam is 34 years old and returning to college for the first time in 14 years. Having worked
for several years, he thinks students need to become more aware of the importance of saving for
of their paycheck they have divert
specific purpose?
A) It needs to consider the specifics of the situation and audience.
B) The actions specified for the audience are overly vague.
C) It overestimates the potential benefits to the audience.
D) It assumes gender uniformity in terms of investing behaviors.
8. After traveling to Tibet last summer, Jason believed that Tibet should no longer be subject to
Chinese rule. He carefully constructed a speech for class on the topic using careful, credible
research and his own experiences, and he practiced several times to improve his delivery. In
spite of his preparation, discussion with classmates after his presentation revealed that they
recalled little he had said and had no real position on Tibet. What else might Jason have done to
persuade his audience of the need for a free Tibet?
A) cited some teachings from the Dalai Lama, noting the legitimacy of a free Tibet
B) emphasized, more strongly, how his trip to Tibet enabled his understanding
C) s
D) displayed map images of where he traveled in Tibet, to bolster his credibility
9. Keenan is from a drought-stricken area of Nebraska. He attends school in Ohio. For his
speech to inform, he wanted his audience to urge federal support for Nebraska farmers whose
livelihoods are threatened by the drought. He carefully constructed a speech using credible
research and his own experiences, and he practiced several times to improve his delivery. In
spite of his preparation, discussion with classmates after his presentation revealed that they
recalled little he had said and had no real position on whether there should be such relief
available to Nebraska farmers. What else might Keenan have done to persuade his audience to
urge federal assistance for the farmers?
A) show how the drought has consequences for everyone, not just the farmers
B) cite even more experts to show how rigorously he has done his homework
C) provide detailed information about relevant books he has consulted
D) display a map highlighting the areas in Nebraska that are most affected
10. In her speech to local officials, Cooper a respected epidemiologist noted how the newly
designed influenza vaccine would better protect citizens in all regions of the United States. How
would you evaluate her inclusion of this observation?
A) She risks losing their attention by noting implications for others rather than focusing solely
on them.
B) She risks losing their attention by not narrowing the topic so to focus on a single potential
outbreak.
C) By emphasizing consequences for everyone, they would likely find her more interesting and
convincing.
D) She is on questionable ethical ground as her speculative remarks could generate unwarranted
fear and panic.
11. As ethical speakers, we ___________.
A) can be more persuasive if we omit information that does not support our argument
B) can expect to achieve an ideal degree of objectivity if we research properly
C) must eliminate our personal feelings when we speak about issues
D) cannot be completely neutral toward ideas we know or care about
12. Pablo feels strongly that women should not be soldiers but serve solely in supportive roles if
they are a member of our military. He asks whether you think it is a good idea for him to pursue
that topic for his next speech. Using what you learned from the textbook, how can you best
respond to him?
A) Drop the topic and choose something you feel more positively about.
B) Drop the topic and choose something you have no predispositions about.
C) Stick with the topic since you have obviously already formed a point of view.
D) Stick with the topic but be open to the possibility that you will modify your view.
13. Biff feels strongly that motorcycle riders should not be required to wear a helmet. He asks
whether you think it is a good idea for him to pursue that topic for his next speech. Using what
you learned from the textbook, how can you best respond to him?
A) Drop the topic and choose something you feel more positively about.
B) Drop the topic and choose something you have no predispositions about.
C) Stick with the topic since you have obviously already formed a point of view.
D) Stick with the topic but be open to the possibility that you will modify your view.
14. Condi feels strongly that individuals should not be required to have health insurance. She
asks whether you think it is a good idea for her to pursue that topic for her next speech. Using
what you learned from the textbook, how can you best respond to him?
A) Drop the topic and choose something you feel more positively about.
B) Drop the topic and choose something you have no predispositions about.
C) Stick with the topic since you have obviously already formed a point of view.
D) Stick with the topic but be open to the possibility that you will modify your view.
15. Your classmate has just told you that for his persuasive speech he intends to speak
against a policy that he has a strong feelings about. He asks whether you think doing so is a
good idea. Using what you learned from the textbook, how can you best respond to him?
A) Drop the topic and choose something you feel more positively about.
B) Drop the topic and choose something you have no predispositions about.
C) ly already formed a point of view.
D)
16. A speaker is addressing a diverse gathering at a graduation ceremony at a public school in
his hometown. He uses the opportunity of a captive audience to scold the graduating class and
their parents about how several girls in the class had become mothers out of wedlock and how
they must repent of their sins. In terms of his ethical obligation to his listeners, how would we
A) It is good as well as often productive to offend, especially a captive audience.
B) He recognizes that the truth hurts sometimes but still must be spoken and heard.
C) He is justified; he has employed the means necessary to arouse great passion.
D) Some listeners will likely view his remarks as tasteless and of poor judgment.
17. Billi is addressing a diverse gathering in her hometown of San Diego, who have met to
discuss the merits of a neighborhood watch program. She insists that her listeners all keep a
your responsibility to your
family, yourself, and your community to fight crime when it rears its ugly head. Anything less
obligation to her listeners, how would
A) It is good as well as often productive to offend, especially a captive audience.
B) Billi recognizes that the truth hurts sometimes but still must be spoken and heard.
C) Billi is justified; she has employed the means necessary to arouse great passion.
D) Some listeners will likely view her remarks as tasteless and of poor judgment.
18.
A) to critique
B) to inform
C) to celebrate
D) to persuade
19. sign a petition urging the city council to
A) to critique
B) to inform
C) to persuade
D) to deliberate
20. If you went before the city council to argue that zoning regulations should remain the same
in your area of town, your general purpose would be __________.
A) to inform
B) to persuade
C) to critique
D) to celebrate
21. The retired high school principal addressed students at their graduation, spelling out the
formula for success he had deduced from what students said whenever they came back to visit.
k, dedication, and
A) inform
B) critique
C) persuade
D) celebrate
22. At the vigil, the speaker paid tribute to Ms. Vicki Soto, a teacher who gave her life trying to
protect her students from an armed intruder. The general purpose underlying the speech is to
__________.
A) inform
B) critique
C) persuade
D) celebrate
23. A specific purpose is __________.
A) what the speaker intends to tell the audience and with what appeals
B) a statement specifying the speaker’s desired audience response
C) the stated topic of an informative, persuasive, or ceremonial speech
D) the main value a speaker hopes to instill with a ceremonial speech
24. Disclosing audience benefit __________.
A) should be apparent in the speech because it can help obtain a desirable reaction.
B) should be briefly mentioned in the speech to discourage skepticism and yet not instill too
much hopeful thinking.
C) should not be mentioned in the speech as it might suggest that the speaker is merely
pandering.
D) should not be mentioned in the speech as it might distract the audience from the overarching
purpose of the speech.
25. Lindsay indicates that her s
__________.
A) vague and should be rephrased in terms of the audience response she seeks
B) unrealistic and should focus on specific actions her audience can take
C) not compelling and should identify a specific belief listeners should adopt
D) subjective and should be rephrased as an objective statement of purpose
26. In her speech about organ donation, Carly hoped her audience would ultimately agree to
designate themselves as donors. She also hoped they would learn how the transplantation of
various organs has become commonplace and increasingly successful. Getting the audience to
designate themselves as donors constitutes Carly s __________ for the speech.
A) secondary purpose
B) specific purpose
C) thesis statement
D) strategy
27.
ultimately agree to donate money to their efforts. She also hoped they would learn how survival
rates had dramatically increased for several types of cancer. Getting the audience to donate
money constitutes Marlo s __________ for the speech.
A) secondary purpose
B) specific purpose
C) thesis statement
D) strategy
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28. __________ is a goal for a speech based on the probability that listeners can actually
respond the way the speaker wants them to.
A) Standard behavior
B) Realistic purpose
C) Audience adaptation
D) Educated response
29. One student wanted to give a speech with the specific purpose that he wanted his listeners to
understand how to receive satellite television signals secretly so they could avoid paying for the
service. In terms of ethical considerations, how should we advise the speaker?
A) The speech would be unethical, as it advocates unlawful activity.
B) The speech, although ethical, does present a moral dilemma.
C) The speech would only be unethical if physical harm occurred.
D) The speech is ethical since what is broadcast belongs to us all.
30. A declarative statement that sums up the central idea of your speech is a __________.
A) general purpose
B) subsidiary purposes
C) transactional dialogue
D) thesis statement
31. After listening to a speech, the __________ is what listeners will carry away with them; it is
what they will remember as the heart of the speech.
A) general purpose
B) subsidiary purposes
C) transactional dialogue
D) thesis statement
32. Which of the following constitutes a good thesis statement?
A) How space programs have improved our quality of life.
B) Space programs have improved our quality of life.
C) Technological advancements, due to the space programs of Russia and the United States,
have improved our quality of life by giving us new tools, new ways to process foods, valuable
new insights into human physiology, and new insights into renewable energy.
D) Why should we explore space?
True/False Questions
33. Reading widely about the issues that affect your community, the nation, and the world can
help you identify topics of public significance as well as form your own opinions and
arguments.
34. A good way to identify possible topics is by thinking about your own interests and
experiences.
35. In picking a speech topic, you should try to find a ready-made speech in your head or limit
yourself to topics on which you are already an expert.
36. When writing a speech for a particular audience, you should try to highlight experiences you
may have in common with them.
37. You can choose whether to engage ethics in your speech.
38. Speaking to persuade other people carries with it the ethical obligation to know what you
are talking about and to believe in what you say.
39. Your audience expects you to be objective when delivering a speech.
40. You should avoid topics that others may find embarrassing or offensive.
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41. The first step in determining your purpose is to consider the general response you want from
your audience.
42. In an informative speech, your primary goal is to persuade your audience.
43. In ceremonial speeches, we articulate and reinforce shared values.
44. Wanda wants to talk to her audience about the environment. In her outline,
woul
purpose.
how
buying and using reusable grocery bags can benefit both the environment and you, as a
This is an example of demonstrating your specific purpose to the audience.
46. A good specific purpose is clear, realistic, and ethical.
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Essay Questions
47. What is a thesis statement and what is its value to the speaker and to the audience?
48. What are three ethical considerations one should take into account when choosing a topic?
Identify and explain each. Provide an example topic and illustrate your point by showing how
the three ethical considerations relate to it.
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Skill Level: Remember the Facts and Apply What You Know
49. Imagine that you have to deliver an informative speech about college tuition to a first-year
public speaking class. Create a specific purpose for the speech and articulate four ways that you
can test the strength of your purpose.