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Speech Communication 1113

Dr. Holly Kruse

Midterm Exam Study Guide

Fall 2017

Key Things to Know for Midterm

Chapters 1-4: Understanding Speaking, Listening, Ethics, and Speech Anxiety

  • What is public speaking? What are some common misconceptions about public speaking? What role did speaking play in oral cultures? What are the main elements of the communication model developed by Shannon and Weaver discussed in class lecture and in your book? How, in general, is meaning created in communication?
  • What strategies can you use to prepare yourself to listen? What are important skills for listening openly, critically, and holistically?What are common listening pitfalls?
  • What are some ethical choices to consider in public speaking? What’s the difference between good and bad paraphrasing?What is plagiarism? Are some kinds of plagiarism worse than other kinds? Why shouldn’t you lie or oversimplify while speaking?
  • What are some strategies for managing public speaking anxiety?

Chapters 5 & 6: Planning Speech & Working with Topics

  • What tips does the book give for allowing enough time for the four phases of creativity?
  • When brainstorming for possible topics based on your experiences, what questions should you consider (from your book and our in-class brainstorming session)? What are other considerations the book mentions in selecting topics?
  • What are the two general purposes for the speeches in the class? What is a specific purpose statement? What features should and shouldn’t it have? What is a central idea? What features should and shouldn’t it have?

Chapters 8: Research

  • What are some suggestions that the book gives in searching for initial information on your topic (i.e. pursuing your research strategy)?
  • What are peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles, and why are they among the very best sources? How would you find them?
  • What are the basics of MLA citation and works cited style?

Chapters 9-11: Turning Ideas into Points, Organizing, and Outlining

  • What’s a topic outline and why is it useful in developing a speech? What does it mean to correspond main points to your thesis/central idea? To ensure points are mutually exclusive? How many main points should/can your speech have, according to class lecture? What are subordinate and coordinate points?
  • What are the basic organizational patterns for speeches? For what kinds of speeches is each appropriate?
  • Why is it important to have a speech outline? What are the basics of standard outline form? Things you should and shouldn’t do in a full-sentence outline?

Chapter 21: Informative Strategies

  • What are some strategies for helping listeners make sense of information in your speech? For explaining ideas clearly?

Chapters 12-14: Connectives, Introductions, and Conclusions

  • What are connectives? Why are they important? What are some examples?
  • Why are introductions important? What must you include in your introduction to make it effective? (According to class lecture, the speech evaluation form, and the textbook.)
  • Why are conclusions important? What must you include in your conclusion to make it effective? (According to class lecture, the speech evaluation form, and the textbook.)

Chapter 27: Presentation Aids

  • What are some considerations when deciding if to use a presentation aid, and what kind to use? What are some strategies for making your presentation aids effective?

Chapters 23-25: Delivery Modes, Practicing, and Vocal Delivery

  • What are the differences between extemporaneous speaking, manuscript speaking, memorized speaking, and impromptu speaking? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each, and in what situations are they used?
  • Why is speech practice important, and when should you start practicing? What should your delivery notes look like, and how do they differ from the outline that you turn in?
  • Why is it important to speak loudly, speak at an average rate, enunciate, and make adjustments for an accent when giving a speech? What is vocal variety? What are vocalized pauses?

Chapter 26: Physical Delivery

  • What are some strategies for projecting confidence while speaking? What kinds of things should and shouldn’t we do with our hands while speaking? Why is strong eye contact important? What should you do with your face while speaking?

Chapters 28-29: Adapting to Situations and Answering Questions

  • What can you do to prevent distractions when you speak?
  • What are some strategies to plan ahead for a Q&A period? What does it mean to answer questions directly? What are some guidelines for managing people in the Q&A?