SPCM 212 Spring 2011
Review for the Final Exam

Overall Description

The exam has 50 multiple choice questions worth 2 points each. These questions will be comprehensive, though there is a clear concentration on more recent chapters and only 9 of the 17 book chapters included on the exam. Here is a list of the number of multiple choice questions that are based in materials covered in the chapters or in lectures devoted to those chapters.

Remember you may choose to take the final examon Wednesday, May 4 7:30-9:30 a.m. orThursday, May 5 at noon. Exams are held in the LeBaron Lecture Hall.

  • Chapter 1: 6 questions
  • communication model, esp. feedback, interference, message and channel. Be able to recognize each in a scenario.
  • what does "empowerment" mean?
  • what does the textbook advise to help control nervous energy?
  • what is the frame of reference?
  • Chapter 4: 2 questions
  • general purposes, specific purpose statements, central ideas [what are the guidelines recognize flaws in specific purpose statements and central ideas]
  • Chapter 8: 5 questions
  • Patterns of organization from chapter 8. Recognize them and know the advantages of using one pattern rather than another.
  • What does good organization do for a speech?
  • transitions, signposts, internal summary and internal preview [recognize and be able to figure out the pattern of organization of the speech from analyzing the connective]
  • Chapter 9, 6 questions
  • parts of good introductions and conclusions; recognize examples of each step and what step is most important in different situations (for example when is building credibility or establishing goodwill most necessary?)
  • recommendations for reinforcing the central idea in a conclusion
  • calling for action in persuasive speeches or using a reference back to the introduction.
  • what does the textbook recommend as a key way to gain the initial attention of your audience after you walk to the lectern?
  • Chapter 11, 12 questions
  • how does language shape our sense of reality?
  • Language use: connotation/denotation
  • imagery and rhythm and specific figures of speech (be able to recognize examples of: metaphor, simile, alliteration, antithesis, parallelism, personification or repetition).
  • what is a cliché?
  • what issues should guide a speaker when it comes to judging the appropriateness of language?
  • what are the issues the text discusses concern sexist language use and how to avoid it?
  • Chapter 12, 5 questions
  • delivery: impromptu vs. extemporaneous;
  • what is conversational quality in public speaking?
  • how do rate and inflection have an impact on meaning?
  • what are filled pauses?
  • how is personal appearance related to public speaking? When does it matter?
  • what should you do when you first approach the lectern to give a speech?
  • Chapter 15, 7 questions
  • Analysis of the persuasive process.
  • Passive agreement vs. immediate action
  • Problem(need)/Plan/Practicality; Recognize examples of claims that would help prove the problem vs. claims that would help prove practicality.
  • Recognize the patterns of organization from the persuasion chapter [including the steps in Monroe's Motivated Sequence, comparative advantages and problem-cause-solution]
  • Chapter 16, 3 questions.
  • reasoning: types of reasoning: principle, specific instances, analogy and causal. Be able to recognize examples of each.
  • Chapter 17, 4 questions
  • What role do special occasion speeches play in society? (see lecture notes, Special Occasion)
  • Recognize central ideas that would fit a speech to entertain and/or a speech to inspire.

Sample Multiple Choice Final Exam Questions

1. Someone walking into the classroom during a speech or audience members coughing are examples of what part of the communication model?

a. message
b. feedback
c. interruption
d. channel
e. interference

2. Chad noticed that his listeners were leaning forward and looking confused during his discussion of the details of his plan. Because of what he saw, Chad paused and restated the key steps of his plan again for clarity. Chad is adapting to what part of the communication model?

a. message
b. feedback
c. interruption
d. channel
e. interference

3. Regardless of the type of speech, the last sentence in your introduction will almost always

a. be brief
b. reveal the topic
c. be a preview
d. gain attention and interest
e. establish your credibility

4. According to your text ______is especially appropriate in the conclusion to a persuasive speech of policy

a. a statistic
b. a call to action
c. an example
d. all of the above
e. a and b only

5. Below are three main points and two sub-points from a speech on a question of policy. Which is the third main point?

a. There are several major causes of the problem of unreliable 911 operation.
b. When calls do get through, operators do not always send help promptly.
c. The growing unreliability of the 911 emergency system is a serious problem.
d. Recent studies show that in some locations many 911 calls never get through.
e. An effective solution would involve upgrading both technology and operator training.

6. Unscramble the outline in question and 7 and then indicate which pattern of organization is used.

a. problem-solution
b. problem-cause-solution
c. comparative advantages
d. Monroe's Motivated sequence
e. topical

7. "He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly." This is an example of

a. simile
b. metaphor
c. antithesis
d. parallelism
e. repetition

8. "My fright-flick fanaticism was taking a toll on my everyday life." This is an example of

a. simile
b. metaphor
c. alliteration
d. parallelism
e. repetition

9. In the "My Grandfather" speech from lecture Mr. Anderson used the same phrase to introduce each main point in the body. This stylistic device is known as

a. simile.
b. metaphor.
c. antithesis.
d. alliteration.
e. repetition.

10. According to the textbook, extemporaneous delivery

a. is really "off the cuff" delivery.
b. sounds spontaneous to an audience.
c. is like reading a speech.
d. is carefully rehearsed.
e. b and d

11. Which of the following specific purpose statements is from a persuasive speech of policy seeking passive agreement?

a. To persuade my audience to donate blood.
b. To persuade my audience that they should donate money to Habitat for Humanity.
c. To persuade my audience that the University should build a parking garage on the North side of campus.
d. To persuade my audience that UFO's have visited the earth.
e. b, c and d

12. Which of the following statements is the kind of statement you would find in the problem (need) section of a speech on a question of policy?

a. "Brazil's enforcement efforts have made a difference in controlling the number of acres cleared."
b. "Recently, Brazil has renewed its commitment to enforce the laws that fine those who exceed limits on clearing land in the rain forest."
c. "In 1995 11,200 square miles of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil was burned or cleared."
d. none of the above
e. a and c only

13. In a special occasion speech we use a strategy of "identification" in order to

a. be clear about the subject
b. show the audience what we hold in common as a community
c. identify the people we are praising in the speech
d. make the subject larger than life
e. to isolate the situated subject of the discourse

14. What pattern of reasoning discussed in the textbook and lecture is used in the following example?

"Campus newspapers are notoriously unreliable sources of news. As a campus paper the Daily is no different from the rest. So you just can't trust what you read in the Daily."

a. specific instances
b. causal
c. analogical
d. principle
e. logical

15. The following connective signals what type of pattern of organization?

"We've seen that drinking among college students causes serious problems for campus communities and we have seen the role that peer pressure and alcohol centered activities play in creating those problems. Now let's turn to the steps universities can take to combat these problems."

a. problem-solution
b. problem-cause-solution
c. comparative advantages
d. cause-effect or causal
e. topical

Answers to Practice Questions

1.e. interference
2. b. feedback
3. c. be a preview
4. b. a call to action
5. e. An effective solution would involve upgrading both technology and operator training.

The unscrambled outline should look like this:
I. The growing unreliability of the 911 emergency system is a serious problem.
II. Recent studies show that in some locations many 911 calls never get through.
A. When calls do get through, operators do not always send help promptly.
B. There are several major causes of the problem of unreliable 911 operation.
III. An effective solution would involve upgrading both technology and operator training.

6. b. problem-cause-solution
7. a. simile
8. c. alliteration
9. e. repetition
10. e. b and d
11. c. To persuade my audience that the University should build a parking garage on the North side of campus.
12. "In 1995 11,200 square miles of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil was burned or cleared."
13. b. show the audience what we hold in common as a community
14. d. principle
15. b. problem-cause-solution