9.5 Chapter Exercises

Speaking Ethically

Imagine that you are preparing a speech on the benefits of a new drug, and you find a direct quotation that clearly establishes your argument. Unfortunately, you soon realize that the source of your quotation is actually a lobbyist who works for the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug. You really want to use this quotation as your attention-getter, but you realize that the source is clearly biased. Which of the following options do you think is the most ethical? Why?

  1. Disregard the quotation and find another way to start your speech.
  2. Use the quotation, but acknowledge that the source comes from a paid lobbyist of the pharmaceutical company who manufactures the drug.
  3. Use the quotation and just give the name of the source. If your audience is interested in your topic, they’ll do their own research and make informed decisions for themselves.

End-of-Chapter Assessment

  1. During a keynote presentation, the speaker mentions that she is the head of neurology at a major medical center. The speaker then goes on to discuss why wearing helmets is important for bicyclists of all ages. What factor of credibility has the speaker attempted to establish?

    1. competence
    2. caring/goodwill
    3. extroversion
    4. trustworthiness
    5. character

  2. A kid perched on the roof of his house one day notices a wolf walking by. The kid yells at the wolf, “Evil, vile creature! Why have you come near honest folks’ homes?” The wolf quickly replied, “It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.” What type of attention-getting device does this represent?

    1. personal reference
    2. fairy tale
    3. personal anecdote
    4. parable or fable
    5. humor

  3. During an introduction, a speaker says, “I realize that many of us disagree on the use of corporal punishment in public schools. I just ask that you listen to my arguments with an open mind.” Which aspect of credibility is the speaker attempting to enhance?

    1. competence
    2. caring/goodwill
    3. extroversion
    4. trustworthiness
    5. character

  4. Which of the following is a function of a thesis statement?

    1. It provides a clear ending point for your speech.
    2. It helps to organize your introduction.
    3. It enhances your language usage.
    4. It expresses the body points in your speech.
    5. It clarifies your perspective about your topic.

  5. What part of an introduction does the following sentence represent? “Today we’re going to examine the video gaming industry by first discussing the history of video games, then by examining the current trends in video gaming, and lastly, by discussing the future of video games.”

    1. attention-getter
    2. link to topic
    3. preview
    4. thesis
    5. significance of topic

Answer Key

  1. a
  2. d
  3. b
  4. e
  5. c

Introduction Worksheet

Directions: Use this worksheet to map out the introduction to your next speech. A copy of this worksheet suitable for editing in a word processing program can be downloaded from http://www.gone.2012books.lardbucket.org/sites/all/files/wrench_1.0-09ws.doc.

  1. What is your general purpose? (circle one)

    To inform To persuade To entertain

  2. What is your specific purpose?

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  3. Which attention-getting device do you plan on using?

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  4. How will you link your attention-getting device to your actual topic?

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  5. Why should your audience listen to your speech?

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  6. How will you establish your credibility during speech?

    1. Competence

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    2. Trustworthiness

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    3. Caring/goodwill

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    4. What is your thesis statement?

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  7. What are your three main body points?

    1. Body point 1

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    2. Body point 2

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    3. Body point 3

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    4. Write a preview of your three main body points.

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