CHAPTER 9: Outlining Your Speech
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. __________ allows you to record early thoughts, experiment with different organizational
supporting material, and endeavor to improve the delivery of your speech.
A) Mental rehearsal
B) Mind-mapping
C) Brainstorming
D) Outlining
2. The best way to describe outlining, when it comes to preparing for a speech, is __________.
A) you develop it continuously over time as you prepare your speech
B) you construct it prior to gathering information and ideas
C) you construct it after you have gathered information and ideas
D) you construct it after you have drafted a manuscript version of the speech
3. Tiana is categorizing her research notes each written on an individual index card. She
arranges and rearranges each card until it is in the order in which she will use its information. At
the same time, she is sketching out her ideas on a sheet of paper, utilizing the heading of each
card to indicate its idea and where she will use its information. Tiana is creating a __________.
A) formal outline
B) keyword outline
C) working outline
D) mind map
4. This type of outline is a diagnostic tool that helps you see where you have been and where
you are going.
A) mind map
B) working outline
C) keyword outline
D) formal outline
5. As a normal part of the writing process while preparing a speech, you will sketch out several
versions of this while you continue to read, learn, and think critically about your topic and
specific purpose for speaking.
A) working outline
B) keyword outline
C) diagnostic tool
D) formal outline
6. Kwan is finalizing his speech, assembling a full-sentence outline that will display his ideas
and arguments in fully developed form, complete with supporting material, to provide a
blueprint of his speech for his instructor. At the end, he supplies a complete bibliography of
sources. Kwan has created a __________ outline.
A) working
B) keyword
C) formal
D) critical
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7. A __________ serves as a tangible symbol of the time, effort, and thought you have put into
your speech.
A) keyword outline
B) formal outline
C) working outline
D) diagnostic outline
8. __________ serve as notes for speakers.
A) Formal outlines
B) Keyword outlines
C) Working outlines
D) Rough outlines
9. __________ allows you to revise your speaking notes until you feel confident about
delivering the speech, and will contribute to a relaxed, conversational style of delivery.
A) Mind mapping your thoughts as you gather information
B) Creating a blueprint of your speech with a formal outline
C) Diagnosing your speech with multiple working outlines
D) Practicing with and refining your keyword outline
10. The best way to ensure you have not forgotten your __________ is to include them on your
__________ outline.
A) symbols; working
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B) transitions; keyword
C) symbols; formal
D) transitions; formal
11. __________ designate for your instructor the various components of your speech,
facilitating diagnosis and enabling precise feedback.
A) Transitions and connectives
B) Bibliographic citations
C) Symbols and indentations
D) Constructive comments
12. Which of the following comprises a well-crafted point in a speech about the Army Corps of
Engineers warning about the potential failure of levees in the United States?
A) The Corps identifies 127 unsafe levees that necessitate emergency planning and insurance
coverage by homeowners.
B) The Corps constructed a vast system of dependable levees, but community neglect
endangers them.
C) Communities must address the problem with their levees, as must homeowners.
D) Many communities have not properly maintained their levees, creating the current crisis.
13. Nikko is giving a speech about how the U.S. lags behind many other countries in terms of
family-friendly workplaces. Which of the following comprises a well-crafted point in such a
speech?
A) The U.S. could be more family friendly in its support of child rearing.
B) The U.S. is one of only five countries out of 173 surveyed that does not guarantee some form
of paid maternity leave; the others are Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland, and Papua New Guinea.
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C) According to Harvard researchers, the United States lags far behind virtually all wealthy
countries with regard to family-oriented workplace policies such as maternity leave, paid sick
days, and support for breast-feeding.
D) The U.S. needs to establish a maximum work week length for working fathers and mothers
and limit mandatory overtime per week.
14. The __________ is a visual representation of the supporting relationships between ideas
and evidence, enabling you (and your instructor) to discern whether the supporting material
actually works to develop, support, or elaborate upon the main ideas of the speech.
A) formal, full-sentence outline
B) working outline
C) key-word outline
D) investigative outline
15. Of the following statements, identify the one that would comprise the BEST subpoint for
A) Scientists are energized that the world is finally listening to them.
B) The European Union has committed to significant reductions in carbon pollution.
C) The various countries in the European Union have pledged to reduce carbon pollution by 20
percent by the year 2020.
D) Sadly, many countries, including the United States which produces about one quarter of all
greenhouse gasses have failed to meet targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions laid out
decades ago in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
16. Of the following statements, identify the one that would comprise the BEST subpoint for
the point:
A) Various incidents warrant concern.
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B) An inc
C)
and assisting smugglers.
D) Allowing unlimited access for workers who are naturalized citizens illustrates the need for
new security measures.
17. During her delivery, Kate wants to speak more directly to her audience, rather than read to
them. Kate also wants to be able to gesture freely and move freely, rather than be restricted to
standing behind or near a podium. Which option should she use for her delivery notes?
A) a keyword outline on note cards
B) a full-sentence outline on note cards
C) a working outline on full sheets
D) a full-sentence outline on full sheets
18. Jan typed her speaking outline, and in the margin she entered handwritten notes such as
eval
A) She risks distracting herself from the content she has typed.
B) The notes in the margin will clutter her outline and lessen her ethos.
C) She is smart to jot down delivery reminders.
D) Delivery hints are not necessary if she has practiced sufficiently.
19. Anita tells you she plans to handwrite
hand helps me commit the notes to memory, and I am much more comfortable reading my own
A) Do not write them out by hand! Handwriting is cluttered and hard to read under stress.
B) Notes? Why are you bringing notes up there? You will look unprepared.
C) Definitely write them out; you should do whatever is most comfortable for you!
D) If you insist on handwriting the notecards, make sure to write in large print and to leave
space between lines.
20. Rick wonders whether he should place her keyword outline on note cards for his delivery or
to print it out on full sheets. How should you advise him?
A) Avoid note cards as there is insufficient space for delivery hints.
B) Practice with each method to see which of the two you prefer.
C) Full sheets make no sense as there is too much wasted space.
D) Use note cards! They are superior because you can use both sides.
21. The primary purpose for having a keyword outline is to__________.
A) create the illusion that the speaker is speaking from memory
B) create the impression that the speaker has prepared carefully for the presentation
C) encourage as much interaction between the speaker and listeners as possible
D) reduce the amount of paper the speaker will have to carry to the podium
22. Michele tells you that she plans to deliver her speech from her formal outline. From what
you read in Chapter 9, how would you adviser her?
A) It makes good sense to have the complete record at your disposal.
B) The advantage of doing so is the audience will see that you are well prepared.
C) Doing so is okay, provided you transfer the complete outline onto note cards.
D) Doing so is unwise as you may be tempted to read rather than speak to listeners.
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23. When Melania presented her speech about Colorado legalizing the recreational use of
marijuana, one of the points she made was how there had been an economic incentive to do so.
While developing the point she cited statistics from the Colorado Department of Revenue
regarding how much the state had profited from medicinal marijuana in prior years. When she
presented specific information to that effect, she read word-for-word from a note card that
How will her audience likely react to her reading this information to them? In other words, how
will they likely perceive her behavior?
A) They will perceive that she is overly careful, ultimately diminishing her ethos.
B) They will perceive that she is concerned with accuracy and precision.
C) They will perceive that she has inadequately rehearsed her presentation.
D) They will perceive that she doubts the information and cannot look them in the eye.
24. When Randy presented his speech about Colorado legalizing the recreational use of
marijuana, he quoted one of its U.S. Representatives, reading word-for-word off of his note card
the street corners and behind the counters. We are going to see tremendous revenue and job
react to his reading this information to them? In other words, how will they likely perceive his
behavior?
A) They will perceive that he is overly careful, ultimately diminishing his ethos.
B) They will perceive that he is concerned with accuracy and precision.
C) They will perceive that he has inadequately rehearsed his presentation.
D) They will perceive that he doubts the information and cannot look them in the eye.
25. When Jeb presented his speech in February 2007, he provided the latest statistical
information available regarding U.S. expenditures for the war in Iraq. He told his audience that
the costs were estimated at $700 billion in direct costs and perhaps twice that much when
indirect expenditures were included, and that Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz put
the total cost at more than $2 trillion. As he reported this information, he read the numbers
directly off of his note card. How will his audience likely react to his reading this information to
them? In other words, how will they likely perceive his behavior?
A) They will perceive that he is overly careful, ultimately diminishing his ethos.
B) They will perceive that he is concerned with accuracy and precision.
C) They will perceive that he has inadequately rehearsed his presentation.
D) They will perceive that he doubts the information and cannot look them in the eye.
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A) Use both sides of the card, to lessen the total number needed, and use a larger font
size than you would if using sheets of paper for notes.
B) Use both sides of the card, to lessen the total number needed, and number the cards, so you
can quickly reassemble them if dropped.
C) Use a larger font size than you would if using sheets of paper for notes, and number the
cards, so you can quickly reassemble them if dropped.
D) Number the cards, so you can quickly reassemble them if dropped, and avoid cramming too
much material onto any one card.
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A) putting any marginalia on the cards.
B) reading from your notes when trying to quote precisely.
C) staring at your notes or using them as a crutch.
D) holding your notes comfortably, and in full view.
True/False Questions
28. The principal benefit of an outline is assisting preparations for delivery and bolstering
confidence.
29. Outlining is an important academic exercise designed to give your instructor a chance to
grade your preparation process. Most professional writers, however, do not outline as they
work.
30. Avi began working on his speech by jotting down ideas and drawing lines between ideas he
thought were connected. Avi correctly recognized that this mind-mapping exercise was only a
precursor to writing a working outline.
31. As long as you practice, you will be able to use a formal outline to achieve the same level
of extemporaneousness as if you had used a keyword outline.
32. Symbols and indentations designate for your instructor the various components of your
speech, facilitating diagnosis and enabling precise feedback.
33. The following comprises a well-crafted point in a speech about the lingering effects of the
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34. Statement A is a better subpoint for the Main Point than Statement B.
-bid contracts, during the war, is a matter that warrants
-bid contract to Halliburton was suspicious
ves a closer
35. A true keyword outline features some full sentences.
36 very is a keyword
outline on one or more full sheets of paper.
37. Speakers should try to conceal their notes when speaking. Consider cutting 3×5 notecards
in half and palming them so it appears you have your speech fully memorized.
Essay Questions
38. Why should a speaker focus on one idea per main point or subpoint?
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39. The following statements come from a speech about poor hydration amongst Americans.
Using the outline below as a structural guide, unscramble the outline, writing the correct
sentence next to the correct blank.
I. __________
A. __________
1. __________
2. __________
II. __________
A. __________
B. __________
1. __________
2. __________
3. __________
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