Q&A Hero

Q: To inform my audience how the campus administration let the cat out of the bag on the proposal to increase tuition is a poorly phrased specific purpose statement for a speech because it a. includes a reference to the audience. b. is written as a declarative sentence rather than a question. c. is expressed in figurative language. d. all of the above. e. a and b only.

Q: To persuade my audience that continuing to spend money on the space program is like throwing good money after bad is a poorly phrased specific purpose statement for a speech because it is a. expressed in figurative language. b. written as a declarative sentence rather than a question. c. too technical. d. all of the above. e. a and c only.

Q: To explain how to write an effective job resum is a poorly phrased specific purpose statement because it a. is too specific. b. contains figurative language. c. is written as a statement instead of a question. d. does not include a reference to the audience. e. is too trivial.

Q: To explain the three major benefits of cycling as a form of exercise is a poorly phrased specific purpose statement because it a. is too broad. b. deals with more than a single topic. c. lacks a reference to the audience. d. all of the above. e. a and b only.

Q: Knowing how to deal with stress is a poorly phrased specific purpose for a classroom speech because it a. is too technical. b. does not include a reference to the audience. c. contains figurative language. d. all of the above. e. a and c only.

Q: Improving personal relationships is a poorly phrased specific purpose for a speech because it is a. too technical for a classroom speech. b. written as a sentence rather than a declarative phrase. c. expressed in figurative language. d. written as a fragment rather than a full infinitive phrase. e. written as a statement rather than a question.

Q: To inform my audience how a perpetual motion machine works is an example of a a. general purpose. b. main point. c. central idea. d. specific purpose. e. thesis statement.

Q: To inform my audience about the history and rules of water polo is an example of a a. speech topic. b. general purpose. c. central idea. d. thesis statement. e. specific purpose.

Q: To inform my audience how our local water treatment facility ensures the safety of our drinking water is an example of a a. mission statement. b. specific purpose. c. transition statement. d. general purpose. e. central idea.

Q: To inform my audience about the four major elements in rope climbing is an example of a a. speech topic. b. general purpose. c. central idea. d. thesis statement. e. specific purpose.

Q: To inform my audience about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome is an example of a a. specific purpose. b. thesis statement. c. general purpose. d. central idea. e. main point.

Q: To inform my audience about the three basic steps in preventive medicine is an example of a a. main point. b. specific purpose. c. thesis statement. d. central idea. e. general purpose.

Q: To inform my audience about the history of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is an example of a a. speech topic. b. general purpose. c. central idea. d. thesis statement. e. specific purpose.

Q: According to your textbook, the specific purpose for a speech should a. include a reference to the audience. b. be written as a full infinitive phrase. c. be expressed as a question. d. all of the above. e. a and b only.

Q: The __________ expresses precisely what you hope to accomplish with your speech. a. central idea b. specific purpose c. preview statement d. thesis statement e. goal statement

Q: According to your textbook, what is the most important early step in the process of developing a successful speech? a. creating a preliminary bibliography b. researching for speech materials c. formulating the specific purpose d. brainstorming for a central idea e. selecting the residual message

Q: When the general purpose of your speech is to __________ , you act primarily as an advocate. a. persuade b. entertain c. demonstrate d. commemorate e. inform

Q: When the general purpose of your speech is to __________ , you act primarily as a teacher or lecturer. a. inform b. convince c. entertain d. persuade e. convert

Q: Advocating a position is most appropriate when the general purpose of your speech is to a. persuade. b. inspire. c. deliberate. d. entertain. e. inform.

Q: Which of the following is out of place in a speech to inform? a. advocating b. explaining c. reporting d. demonstrating e. telling

Q: After choosing a topic, what is the next step of speech preparation? a. phrasing the central idea b. analyzing the occasion c. selecting the specific purpose d. writing the introduction e. determining the general purpose

Q: Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a method of brainstorming for a speech topic? a. clustering b. taking a personal inventory c. conducting an Internet search d. all of the above e. a and c only

Q: The process of generating ideas for speech topics by free association of words and ideas is known as a. linking b. aggregating c. deliberating d. brainstorming e. advocating

Q: According to your textbook, brainstorming is especially helpful when you are having trouble a. choosing a speech topic. b. determining the general purpose. c. determining the specific purpose. d. phrasing the central idea. e. analyzing the audience.

Q: T F The following is an effective central idea for a speech to persuade: You should vote a $10 increase in student fees to pay for a new intramural athletic facility because such a facility is both necessary and practical. Multiple-Choice Questions (Students are to indicate the best answer for each question by circling the correct letter.)

Q: T F The major responsibilities of an athletic trainer are preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F The major responsibilities of an athletic trainer are preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries is an example of a well-worded central idea for a speech.

Q: T F The three major expenses for people traveling abroad are transportation, food, and lodging is an example of a well-worded central idea for a speech.

Q: T F The three major expenses for people traveling abroad are transportation, food, and lodging is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F To persuade my audience that the federal government should institute a national sales tax to help pay for social programs is an example of an effective central idea for a speech.

Q: T F The following is an example of a well-worded central idea for a speech: A diet that encourages eating only foods high in fat and protein has major advantages as well as serious risks.

Q: T F The central idea of a speech should be expressed as a full sentence.

Q: T F The central idea should encapsulate or sum up the main points to be developed in the body of the speech.

Q: T F The central idea is usually determined after the bulk of the research for a speech is completed.

Q: T F The central idea reveals more about the content of a speech than does the specific purpose.

Q: T F To inform my audience about the current status of tennis as an international sport is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F To inform my audience about the origins of martial arts and how to perform yoga is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for an informative speech.

Q: T F It is acceptable for a specific purpose statement to include two unrelated ideas.

Q: T F What can we learn about ourselves from our dreams? is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F What should you consider when choosing a study abroad program? is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F A specific purpose statement should usually be phrased as a question.

Q: T F To explain the causes and treatment of compulsive hoarding is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement.

Q: T F To explain three basic hand-sewing techniques is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement.

Q: T F Learning water safety guidelines is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F Making a difference through voting is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech.

Q: T F The effects of light pollution in major cities is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement.

Q: T F To inform my audience about golf is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F To inform my audience about depression is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F To inform my audience about terrorism is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for an informative speech.

Q: T F To persuade my audience that the federal government should require seat belts on all school buses is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech.

Q: T F To persuade my audience that our school should provide more on-campus parking for students is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech.

Q: T F To inform my audience about the causes and effects of lead poisoning in children is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

Q: T F To inform my audience of the major accomplishments of the space shuttle program is a well-worded specific purpose statement for an informative speech.

Q: T F To inform my audience of the major steps in responding to a medical emergency is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for an informative speech.

Q: T F The specific purpose statement should focus on one aspect of a topic and be expressed in a single infinitive phrase.

Q: T F The following is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech: The three major elements of the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright are low-pitched roofs, functional designs, and lines that blend into the landscape.

Q: T F The specific purpose reveals more about the content of a speech than does the central idea.

Q: T F The specific purpose statement indicates precisely what the speaker hopes to accomplish in a speech.

Q: T F When your general purpose is to inform, you act as an advocate or an opponent.

Q: T F When your general purpose is to persuade, you act as a teacher or lecturer.

Q: T F The difference between informing and persuading is like the difference between explaining and entertaining.

Q: T F Most often, your general purpose as a speaker is to inform or to persuade.

Q: T F After choosing a topic, the next step in speech preparation is determining your general purpose.

Q: T F Once you choose the central idea of your speech, the next step is to formulate your general purpose.

Q: T F After choosing a topic, the next step in speech preparation is determining your central idea.

Q: T F No matter how you go about choosing a speech topic, it is important to start the process early.

Q: T F Brainstorming is a way of clearing your mind so you can relax while choosing a speech topic.

Q: T F Brainstorming is a method of generating ideas for a speech through free association of words and ideas.

Q: T F You should usually avoid choosing speech topics that you feel strongly about.

Q: T F It is usually a poor idea to choose a speech topic that requires research.

Q: T F Outside the classroom, the topic of a speech is usually determined by the occasion, the audience, and the speakers qualifications.

Q: T F The first step in speechmaking is choosing a topic for your speech.

Q: Imagine that you have been asked to talk to a group of visiting high school seniors about the process of applying to college. In a well-developed essay, describe what your general purpose, specific purpose, and central idea would be for this speech. Then draft three main points for a speech on this topic.

Q: Imagine that you have been asked to inform a local community group about life as a college student. In a well-developed essay, describe what your general purpose, specific purpose, and central idea would be for this speech. Then draft three main points for a speech on this topic.

Q: What are the characteristics of a well-worded central idea? Explain why each characteristic is important.

Q: What is the difference between a specific purpose and a central idea? Illustrate your answer by developing a specific purpose statement and a central idea for a hypothetical speech about a topic of your choice.

Q: Your textbook provides five tips for writing specific purpose statements. Identify and briefly explain four of them.

Q: Why is determining the specific purpose such a vital step in the process of preparing a speech?

Q: Explain the differences between informing and persuading as general speech purposes.

Q: Your textbook discusses four methods of brainstorming for a speech topic. In a brief essay, identify and explain three of those methods.