CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SPEAKING TO INFORM
True-False
T F 1. Speeches are either strictly informative or persuasive.
T F 2. According to the text, informative speeches should be factual, and persuasive
speeches should be more emotional.
T F 3. It is the speaker and topic, rather than the audience, that determines whether or not
a speech is informative or persuasive.
T F 4. Speeches of demonstration usually do not contain enough information for well
developed 5 to 7 minute presentations.
T F 5. Reports, lectures, and personal experience speeches can be potentially boring.
T F 6. A speaker could present a descriptive speech informing an audience about an
event.
T F 7. If a speaker employs vague generalities in a speech, s/he will arouse audience
interest.
T F 8. The following phrase is denotative rather than connotative:
“In today’s Mexico City, you can sample a tasty enchilada made with white cheese; feel
the rough chisel marks of an ancient Aztec pyramid; take a leisurely stroll through the cool green
palms and curing lakes of Chapultepec Park.”
T F 9. Personal experience is not appropriate topic for an informative speech.
T F 10. Scientific facts can be effectively researched in condensed publications like the
Readers’ Digest.
T F 11. Internal transitions are devices which link statistics, examples, and/or testimony
within and beneath a numeral of the speech.
T F 12. In an informative speech, a topic should be humanized with testimonies and
examples.
T F 13. Descriptive speeches are informative speeches about persons, places, objects, or
events.
T F 14. Condensed publications are helpful to speakers who need to research scientific or
medical facts.
T F 15. Technical speeches, such as business reports, can seldom be interesting.
T F 16. A speech about the 2001 World Series would be a speech of definition.
T F 17. When presenting informative speeches, speakers should use as many connotative
words and phrases as possible.
T F 18. A speech about the appearance of a new museum would be a speech of
description.
T F 19. A speech that shows the audience the steps to bake a chocolate cake would be a speech
of description.
T F 20. The phrase “Mexico is a huge city in the mountains inhabited by millions of
people” uses denotative language.
T F 21. A speech that shows people how to sew a button on a shirt would be a speech of
demonstration.
T F 22. Speakers usually avoid speeches of definition because these presentations are
intellectual explanations of dry theories.
T F 23. The sample speech titled, “Raising the Monitor,” indicates that there is only
one successful beginning and ending strategy for most speeches.
T F 24. It is not desirable to combine organizational sequences in the body of an
informative speech.
T F 25. Demonstration speeches should contain only steps and procedures, eliminating
any other explanatory material.
T F 26. A speech on Hinduism would be a speech of definition.
T F 27. Because of the number of procedures involved, demonstration speeches usually
contain more than 8 or 9 main points in the body.
T F 28. Topics for demonstrations involve information which teaches, trains, or educates
listeners.
T F 29. A speech that illustrates to the audience how people develop carpel-tunnel
syndrome would be a speech of demonstration.
T F 30. In a speech to demonstrate, a speaker explains how something works, how
something is done, how something happens, or how something is made.
T F 31. Demonstrating a process which is familiar to a speaker is easy for the audience.
T F 32. When defining terms, the speaker should always use a topical sequence.
T F 33. Demonstration speeches are some of the easiest presentations for speakers to
Deliver and audiences to understand because they can see the action.
T F 34. Proper preparation for a demonstration speech includes rehearsing with the
visuals you intend to use.
T F 35. Main points in the body of most demonstration speeches are always arranged
according to some form of chronological sequence.
T F 36. Demonstrations are usually simplified presentations similar to show-and-tell
speeches.
T F 37. Process speeches differ from other informative types because demonstrations
don’t require the use of specific purpose or thesis statements.
T F 38. It is essential that demonstrations have only one visual aid.
T F 39. A good demonstration speech for a classroom would be to show the audience all of the
steps in building a car.
T F 40. In a speech about making holiday cookies, a topic sequence would be best.
T F 41. If a process takes longer than necessary in a demonstration, a speaker should be
careful not to provide additional verbal comments to fill in the gaps.
T F 42. In demonstration speeches, gestures are helpful in pointing out details.
T F 43. In a demonstration speech, unnecessary details often add interest and motivation
to listeners.
T F 44. In demonstration speeches, speakers rarely have time to define unfamiliar words or
terminology.
T F 45. Lectures are presentations given by experts for educational purposes.
Multiple Choice
46. In a speech of description, in order to be sure the audience understands the topic, the
speaker should NOT
a. repeat information the audience already knows.
b. conduct careful research.
c. use only personal experience as research.
d. avoid statistics.
47. When building an informative speech,
a. there may be alternative introductions.
b. there may be alternative conclusions.
c. both A and B
d. neither A nor B
48. A speech to ______________promotes understanding, enlightenment and education.
a. inform
b. persuade
c. entertain
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
49. The specific purpose of Chaim Verschleisser’s speech on “Raising the Monitor” was
a. to persuade listeners to understand and monitor identity theft.
b. to enlighten listeners about saving a historic artifact from the Civil War
c. to request listeners to lobby for stricter legislation against illegal smuggling. d. to
inform listeners about the details of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
50. Informative speeches should incorporate
a. emotional elements
b. statistics, illustrations, testimony
c. visual materials
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
51. An informative speech about the life of actor Paul Newman would be a
a. descriptive speech
b. demonstration
c. speech of definition
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
52. A speech telling the audience about the contents of the Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, NY, would be a speech of
a. definition.
b. description.
c. demonstration.
d. destination.
53. When you conduct research for a descriptive speech on a scientific topic, you should
not
a. use sources that are accurate
b. use house and garden magazines
c. use examples, statistics, and testimony
d. check details
54. When you choose a topic for a descriptive speech, you should not
a. select an innovative topic
b. select a topic in which you are interested
c. examine your personal knowledge
d. repeat information the audience already knows
55. A speech to ______________seeks to influence the beliefs, feelings, or behavior of
listeners.
a. inform
b. persuade
c. entertain
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
56. An example of an informative speech topic which would be organized to describe
would be
a. the history of the Sioux Indians”
b. the layout of the American Indian museum in Washington DC”
c. to explain how schizophrenia develops”
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
57. A speech which provides information about an event or object is known as a
a. report
b. lecture
c. speech of description
d. speech of definition
58. An informative speech about the effects of a tsunami on the residents of Southern Asia would
be a
a. descriptive speech
b. demonstration
c. speech of definition
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
59. If you present a speech of description, you should
a. use concrete supporting material.
b. stimulate feedback.
c. maintain audience interest
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
60. The topic “What is cubistic art?” would be a
a. descriptive speech
b. speech of definition.
c. speech to persuade
d. none of the above.
61. Which statement does not reflect the development and presentation of a report?
a. it summarizes the work of a committee
b. it is technical
c. it must be accurate
d. it seldom includes humor
62. Developing a clear, personal delivery for a descriptive speech does not mean
a. using personal pronouns
b. defining unfamiliar phrases
c. using technical terminology extensively
d. stimulating feedback
63. Lectures are presentations which
a. are given by experts
b. are often read word for word from prepared manuscripts
c. include question-and-answer sessions at the end
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
64. A speaker explaining how the disease AIDS attacks the immune system would be
giving a
a. descriptive speech
b. demonstration
c. speech of definition
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
65. A speech of definition is which of the following?
a. How to play a mandolin.
b. How dreams occur.
c. How to set the clock on an old VCR.
d. What is a glockenspiel?
e. none of the above
66. Repetition in demonstration speeches
a. is distracting and ineffective.
b. is necessary for key ideas.
c. is at the discretion of the speaker.
d. none of the above.
67. One of the subject categories of demonstration speeches is “how something
happens.”
Topics in this area involve
a. natural phenomena
b. the construction of physical objects.
c. the manner in which a physical object works.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above
68. In informative speeches, speaking clearly
a. is a practice which can put listeners to sleep.
b. is not justified by research.
c. includes use to external transitions.
d. is only recommended in audiences which lack sophistication.
69. According to the Analysis Sheet for the Informative Speech
a. a speaking rate, volume and vocal inflections should enhance the speech.
b. eye contact is not important in an informative speech.
c. the speaker should avoid gestures.
d. the speaker may want to move away from the topic from time to time .
70. According to the Analysis Sheet for the Informative Speech, at the conclusion, a/the
question asked is
a. did the speech contain a quotation?
b. did the speech contain a summary?
c. did the speech contain a story?
d. did the speech contain a question?
e. all of the above.
71. Which of the following would NOT be considered to be a personal experience
speech?
a. an expedition
b. “My Trip to Australia”
c. a report on your club’s money-on-hand
d. a harrowing adventure
e. none of the above
72. A speaker who has more than 20 steps to discuss in a demonstration should
a. include each step as a separate numeral in the body
b. leave out several of the steps in order to condense the material
c. group steps under a few main headings
d. choose another topic having fewer developmental stages
73. According to the text, which of the following are you likely to do in your career
position?
a. explain how something works
b. explain how something is made
c. explain how something is done
d. explain how something happens
e. all of the above
74. The specific purpose of the descriptive speech presented in the informative speaking
chapter was to
a. describe how scientists and divers successfully raised the USS Monitor
b. explain how Navy divers successfully explored the Titanic.
c. describe the successful recovery of the USS Monitor’s turret.
d. demonstrate how the USS Monitor was made.
e. describe how divers raised artifacts from the Titanic
75. Visuals used in Chaim Verschleisser’s speech presented in the informative speaking
chapter were
a. a small model of a ship
b. a cross section of a ship
c. a brief DVD video
d. PowerPoint slides
Short Answer
76. What are the 4 categories of information?
77. Explain the difference between information and persuasion.
78. Identify 4 topic areas for descriptive speeches, and provide one example of each.
79. How should a speaker keep a demonstration speech moving successfully?
80. What are 4 topic areas for demonstration speeches? Provide an example of each.
81. Explain what the personal experience speech is and provide two (2) examples of
possible personal experience speeches.
Essay
81. You are required to demonstrate a new computer software system to 15 fellow employees
where you work. Explain how you would organize the speech and how you would arrange
visuals so that listeners could see them easily. In addition, write an introduction and a
conclusion to your remarks.
82. You are a supervisor at a company that manufactures ornamental glassware such as vases,
cut glass, crystal, goblets, and punchbowl sets. Recently, several employees have been seriously
injured because they did not use proper safety techniques. You have decided to present the
demonstration, “How to apply safety in the workplace,” to all 50 employees of the company.
Describe the types of audiovisuals you would select and explain the guidelines for using them.
83. Explain how you could utilize the Analysis Sheet for the Informative Speech in the text to
improve your next speech.
84. Discuss the guidelines for building a descriptive speech.
85. You have been asked to make a staff development presentation to a group of financial
officers from several large companies. Your topic is, “Being creative with the presentation of
86. Develop an outline (main points) for an informative descriptive topic using three different
types of organizational sequences. Once you have completed the specific purpose, thesis and
main points, write two introductions and two conclusions representing different strategies.
Online Chapter Quiz Questions
Chapter 15
Speaking to Inform
True False
1. A descriptive speech is a type of informative presentation.
2. A speech of definition is a type of convincing speech that presents a theory, idea, science, or
art.
3. Lectures and reports are meant to be persuasive.
4. A personal experience speech is a type of informative speech.
5. According to the Analysis Sheet for the Informative Speech, a shocking statement is a type of
curiosity device.
Multiple Choice
6. A speaker who presents the topic ,“How a tornado is formed,” is demonstrating
a. how something works
b. how something is done
c. how something is made
d. how something happens
7. A speaker who demonstrates “How to tune a guitar” is demonstrating
a. how something works
b. how something is done
c. how something is made
d. how something happens
8. A speaker whose speech in titled, “What is coulrophobia” is giving a
a. descriptive speech
b. demonstration speech
c. speech of definition
d. speech to convince
9. Which of the following is/are true about reports?
a. They are based on limited issues.
b. They may summarize the work of a committee or other employee unit.
c. They are, by nature, boring and cannot be made interesting.
d. Both A and B.
10.Which of the following is not a negative practice when you are demonstrating a process?
a. long silences
b. visuals that are too small
c. talking as you demonstrate
d. exceeding the time limit
Fill in the Blank
11. The type of informative speech that is given by expert scientists, teachers, and doctors is
called a ____________________.
12. According to the Analysis Sheet for the Informative Speech, the end of the introduction
should include the__________ __________ and/or _____________ ______________.
13. A curiosity device or attention getter is most often used in which part of the speech?
_______________________.
14. The purpose of an informative speech is to _____________________.
15. The type of speech that informs about people, places, objects or events is called a
_____________________.
Answers
