CHAPTER ELEVEN
SELECTING THE INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION
True-False
T F 1. According to the text, a speaker should not introduce new material in the
conclusion of a speech.
T F 2. A good way to begin a speech is by stating the specific purpose.
T F 3. One of the least effective ways of gaining creating audience interest is a shocking
statement.
T F 4. A “rapid–fire” technique is a good strategy to use when your conclusion contains
several statistics.
T F 5. According to the text, the introduction should motivate the audience to listen to the
speech.
T F 6. A good introduction should be no more than two sentences in length.
T F 7. An example can make the audience quickly understand the reality of a person,
experience or circumstance.
T F 8. A good introduction should begin with the thesis to interest the audience.
T F 9. Using a statistic is not an appropriate strategy for ending a speech.
T F 10. A speaker who carefully develops and prepares a specific type of introduction
should present it to the audience no matter what happens in the speech setting.
T F 11. Impromptu humor is more desirable for an introduction than “safe” humor which
has been tried out on friends or classmates in advance of a speech.
T F 12. Starting the conclusion with the words “ in conclusion…” stimulates attention
and helps the audience to focus on the ending of the speech.
T F 13. One possible danger which exists when a speaker asks a rhetorical question is
that the audience may take control of the speech.
T F 14. A rhetorical question is meant to start a discussion among audience members.
T F 15. Questions that are meant to stimulate a response from the audience are open-
ended questions.
T F 16. One good method for making audience members curious in the introduction is to
use suspense.
Multiple Choice
17. A concluding strategy which helps to promote unity within a speech is
a. a summary of main points
b. a rhetorical question
c. a reference to the introduction
d. a statistic
18. One way to begin an introduction is to
a. make a personal reference.
b. give the audience an compliment.
c. tell a joke off the top of your head.
d. A and B only
19. A way to begin the introduction is to reference
a. the conclusion.
b. the occasion.
c. the uninteresting previous speaker.
d. none of these.
20. Conclusions that tend to be reserved for persuasive speeches are
a. quotations
b. summaries
c. references to introductions
d. challenges and appeals
21. A speaker who concludes by asking listeners to donate money or to sign a petition is
using
a. a challenge
b. an appeal
c. a reference to the introduction
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
22. According to the text, a good way to use a statistic in a conclusion
a. is to place it on a visual aid
b. is to state it verbally
c. is to combine it with another type of ending
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
23. “ Let us work together to end bigotry, racism, and prejudice. Let us remember that
equality is a spirit that we must practice, and a principle that we must pass on to our
children.” This conclusion is an example of
a. a summary
b. an appeal
c. a challenge
d. a rhetorical question
24. One of the best conclusions to use for a speech on complicated subject matter is
a. a quotation
b. an end question
c. a summary
d. a challenge
25. Which statement does not describe humor when used as a concluding strategy:
a. it should be brief
b. it should stimulate a positive response
c. it should be taken from a reliable source such as a joke book
d. it should be spontaneous
26. If you wanted the audience to think carefully about a topic after your conclusion, you
would end with a
a. quotation
b. rhetorical question
c. statistic
d. summary
27. A concluding strategy which helps to reinforce a speaker’s ideas and express feelings
eloquently is
a. a quotation
b. an end question
c. a statistic
d. a challenge
28. “What do George Washington and Cleopatra have in common? Well they are just
two of the many different people who have braided their hair over the centuries.”
The technique used in this introduction is
a. a shocking statement
b. an open ended question
c. a rhetorical question
d. suspense
29. “How many of you have ever been snow skiing—raise your hands? I see a few of
you have. Well, if you’ve ever experienced snow skiing, you’ll have an idea of what
I’m going to speak about today because the feeling is similar, but the means and
equipment are completely different.” The technique used in this introduction is
a. a shocking statement
b. an open ended question
c. a rhetorical question
d. suspense
30. Which statement does not describe a good introduction?
a. It should be one or two sentences in length.
b. It contains the thesis statement.
c. It should contribute to the speaker’s credibility.
d. It incorporates a carefully devised technique.
31. Using a rhetorical question coupled with a quote or a statistic with a startling
statement would be
a. outlining the introduction.
b. combining the introduction and the conclusion.
c. combining strategies.
d. allowing listeners to provide free flowing responses.
32. With regard to the use of humor in the conclusion,
a. it is okay to use an “off–color” joke because the audience now knows you.
b. it is safer to use a joke you heard the previous night on television.
c. it should never be used in the conclusion, only in the introduction.
d. none of these.
Short Answer
33. Identify 5 strategies for the introduction
34. Identify 5 strategies for the conclusion
35. Discuss the differences the speaker may experience when using a rhetorical question and an
36. Discuss how suspense can be used to stimulate interest and to make the audience curious.
Provide an example.
Essay Questions
37. Describe how speaking notes for the introduction and conclusion should be constructed to
facilitate ease of communication in a speech.
38. Discuss how a reference to the introduction can be an effect way to conclude a speech.
39. Explain and discuss how you would use a story, illustration or example to conclude your
speech.
Online Chapter Quiz Questions
Chapter 11
Selecting the Introduction and Conclusion
True False
1. A speaker who uses an open-ended question for an introduction can easily lose control of the
speech to the audience.
2. A speaker should begin his or her speech never use a story to introduce the speech.
3. It is the introduction where the audience decides to listen or tune out the speaker.
4. Statistics should never be used in a conclusion.
5. A speaker may try to get the audience to support the topic by using an challenge.
Multiple Choice
6. A challenge or appeal is a type of conclusion used in
a. informative speeches
b. persuasive speeches
c. demonstration speeches
d. descriptive speeches
7. The strategy in which a speaker asks a question that listeners respond to silently is
a. open-ended
b. rhetorical
c. suspense
d. a challenge
8. A concluding strategy that promotes unity within a speech by ending in a similar manner as
the beginning is
a. appeal or challenge
b. summary of main points
c. quotation
d. reference to the introduction
9. Which of the following statements is not one of the functions of an introduction?
a. It provides a graceful entry into the speech.
b. It captures listeners’ attention
c. It introduces the thesis in the opening sentence.
d. It reveals the topic.
10. When a speaker faces an unfamiliar audience , one of the best strategies to use for an
introduction would be
a. suspense
b. statistics
c. a personal reference
d. a rhetorical question
Fill in the Blank
11. A Red Cross worker asking for donations of blood in the conclusion of a persuasive
advertisement is using a strategy known as a(n) _____________________.
12. An effective way to end a speech on complicated subject matter is a _________________.
13. The type of question where a speaker can easily lose control to the audience is called a(n)
________________________.
14. An effective introduction may make a reference to the_______________ of the speech.
15. When the speaker describes a series of events to maintain the audience members’ curiosity,
the speaker is using the element of _____________________.
Answers
