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CHAPTER NINE
CHOOSING SUPPORTING MATERIALS
True-False
T F 1. Some of the most verifiable and stimulating forms of support are personal
experience, observation, humor, and role playing.
T F 2. When you use supporting materials, it is usually advisable to mention the source
for the information.
T F 3. When you state the findings of a study, it is advisable to mention the name of the
publishing journal, the date of the publication and the results of the study.
T F 4. If you are using an individual’s exact words, it is not necessary to use ”quote” and “end
quote” before and after the quoted material.
T F 5. When presenting a survey, the text recommends that you mention the purpose
of the research.
T F 6. It is helpful to use as many quotations as possible in order to build credibility in a speech.
T F 7. A brief quotation tends to be more effective than one that is long and involved.
T F 8. A case study is a very large survey.
T F 9. Narrative is another term for prestige testimony.
T F 10. An illustration is a longer example.
T F 11. The text recommends that a speaker should combine one personal experience with
examples to build credibility.
T F 12. A joke which receives an extremely favorable response from an audience is
beneficial to a speech even if it is unrelated to the speaker’s topic.
T F 13. An observation is direct, firsthand knowledge of a situation.
T F 14. A rapid-fire technique is a strategy where the speaker cites several very brief
examples to make an important point.
T F 15. The text suggests that you should avoid using humor if you are not
comfortable with it.
T F 16. If a speaker gains a positive response to humor, the speaker should immediately
go on to the next joke to create momentum while the audience is still laughing.
T F 17. Using a lot of statistics in your speech helps the audience to listen actively.
T F 18. Role playing is an interesting, creative strategy which can be substituted for cases,
statistics, and sources.
T F 19. When using role playing techniques, a speaker can create added interest by
surprising the audience and asking for volunteers in an impromptu manner during the
speech.
Multiple Choice
20. Statistics, case studies, comparison and contrasts, and testimonies are
a. usually boring.
b. interesting, but less verifiable forms of support.
c. some of the most authoritative supporting materials.
d. none of the above.
21. When relating a narrative, the speaker should deliver the story
a. without eye contact so that all details are accurate.
b. smoothly so that the details and punch line are vigorous.
c. without prior practice so that the story appears to be spontaneous.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
22. A fictitious situation that has a realistic application is known as a/an
a. example.
b. hypothetical example.
c. illustration.
d. narrative.
23. If listeners fail to laugh at a speaker’s humor, the speaker can
a. make a joke about the response.
b. relate “safer” humor that has worked previously.
c. acknowledge the response and move on.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
24. A poll is a
a. collection of facts in numerical form.
b. sampling of opinion on selected issues.
c. study that draws conclusions from research.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
25. The technique of “bait-and-switch”
a. involves humor which is unrelated to a topic.
b. is an effective technique for entertaining speeches.
c. is a successful method for employing humor.
d. is a stylistic device which helps audiences to respond positively to humorous
anecdotes that are factual.
26. When using comparisons, you must be careful to compare
a. issues with which your listeners are already familiar.
b. examples which have similar principles or characteristics.
c. examples having no similarities.
d. issues with which your listeners agree.
27. A technique that uses an individual to act out a brief skit, assume a character, or
simulate a conflict is known as
a. an anecdote.
b. a contrast.
c. role-playing.
d. a narrative.
28. When you use a quotation from someone who is not widely known, you should
a. state the person’s name and tell why he or she made the comment.
b. state the person’s name and explain where listeners can find more information
about the expert.
c. identify the person for the audience.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
29. A rapid-fire technique refers to
a. using numerous statistics to support a point.
b. using visual aids to support conclusions.
c. using numerous brief examples to support a point.
d. using word pictures to paint vivid mental pictures.
30. A speaker who says, “Imagine that you are late for work and you hurry out of the
house...” is using
a. a case study.
b. a narrative.
c. an illustration.
d. a hypothetical example.
31. One thing you should not do when using statistics is to
a. round them off.
b. relate them to meaningful concepts.
c. draw conclusions from them.
d. use as many of them as possible.
32. If you need to be precise with statistics, it is recommended that you
a. refer listeners to the source at the end of your speech.
b. state the numbers slowly and clearly.
c. use only one or two numbers.
d. construct a visual aid for the data.
33. In a speech to the House select Committee on energy Independence, the following
was said: “The United States has 5 percent of the world’s population but uses nearly
25 percent of the world’s oil. Americans use 10,000 gallons of oil—enough to fill a
backyard swimming pool—every second of every day.” In this statement to
congress, Shell Oil Company President John Hofmeister used what type of supporting
material to relate his point?
a. a visual aid
b. a quotation
c. an example
d. humor
34. “I think we’re all aware of the enormous differences between the United States and
Japan. We’re separated by geography; we’re separated by language; and we’re
separated by culture.”
This passage is an example of
a. a narrative.
b. a paraphrase.
c. a contrast.
d. an anecdote.
35. Physical objects and photos are what kinds of evidence?
a. a statistic.
b. contrast.
c. role-playing.
d. visual.
Fill in the Blank
differences.
are brief humorous stories used to demonstrate points.
Essay
43. As the financial officer for a large commercial bakery, you are required to present quarterly
reports on the company’s financial condition to the executive officers and the board of directors.
These presentations are generally about thirty minutes long and contain numerous statistics,
polls, and surveys. Describe how you would make this type of statistical presentation interesting
and meaningful to your audience.
44. You have just returned from an international trip and you have decided to develop an
informative speech about the people, customs, and interesting places of the country you visited.
Describe the types of supporting materials your speech would include. Be specific in your
answer.
45. Explain how you could use role-playing in speech about the wedding rituals of India.
Online Chapter Quiz Questions
Chapter 9
Choosing Supporting Materials
True False
1. A hypothetical example is a brief factual instance that demonstrates a point.
2. When using supporting materials, a speaker should not cite sources because they interrupt the
flow of a speech.
3. A quotation and a testimony are the same things.
4. An in-depth account of a situation that is often referred to throughout the speech is a case
study.
5. A rapid-fire approach is most appropriate with a narrative.
Multiple Choice
6. One practice you should not do when using complicated statistics is
a. round them off
b. place them on a visual aid
c. draw conclusions from them
d. use as many as possible to make your point
7. According to the text an anecdote is a
a. brief, humorous story to demonstrate a point
b. an exact restatement of a person’s words
c. a hypothetical example
d. none of the above
8. In order to show similarities in situations or events, a speaker would use a
a. contrast
b. comparison
c. observation
d. role playing
9. Testimony from a well-known celebrity or other famous person is
a. expert testimony.
b. prestige testimony.
c. reality testimony.
d. none of the above.
10. Which of the following statements should not be considered when a speaker uses humor in a
speech?
a. Humor has risks.
b. Listeners may react negatively to humor.
c. Humor can be unrelated to the speaker’s topic.
d. Be prepared for a variety of audience reactions to humor.
Fill in the Blank
11. A technique using an individual to act out a brief skit or assume a character is called
______________________,
12. Direct, firsthand knowledge or experience of a situation is known as
____________________.
13. A supporting material that shows differences in two or more things is called a
____________________.
14. An in-depth account of a situation or a set of circumstances is called a
____________________.
15. A story told by the speaker is _________________.
Answers
