Deck 11: Concluding With Power

Question 1

The serial position effect is the:

A) perceived importance of items or information at the top of a list.
B) perceived sophistication of ideas near the beginning of a speech.
C) reason why an effective thesis statement is crucially important.
D) relief audiences feel when they sense the end of a presentation.
E) tendency to better remember items at the beginning or end of a list.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Recency is:

A) a characteristic of new information.
B) the familiarity of ideas to the audience.
C) the position near the end of a speech.
D) the position at the end of the speech.
E) the potential to surprise the audience.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

A good conclusion helps listeners remember the speech.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Hermann Ebbinghaus proposed what he called the _______________ position effect.

Question 5

When a speech has an ineffective ending:

A) listeners will be understanding and thank the speaker.
B) a speaker can hide it by asking if there are any questions.
C) the speaker should apologize and thank the audience.
D) the speech loses energy and the audience is disappointed.
E) the strength of the speech's message makes up for it.

Question 6

Your _______________ is your last chance to drive home important ideas.

Question 7

To conclude a speech, you should:

A) ask if listeners enjoyed the speech.
B) give listeners a surprise ending.
C) nod confidently and stop talking.
D) signal that the speech is about to end.
E) tell listeners that your speech is over.

Question 8

The position near the beginning of a speech is referred to as _________________.

Question 9

Ray Ehrensberger's study found that information delivered during the _____________ had the highest level of recall overall.

Question 10

A speech that falls apart at the end will tend to disappoint listeners.

Question 11

A strong conclusion:

A) helps listeners forget weak areas within your speech.
B) impresses listeners even if the speech was mediocre.
C) includes a "thank you" followed by sitting back down.
D) is a virtual repetition of your introductory remarks.
E) keeps listeners from being confused or disappointed.

Question 12

Primacy is:

A) a characteristic of a powerful conclusion.
B) the emphasis with which a point is made.
C) the most important point within a speech.
D) the position at the beginning of a speech.
E) the position at the end of the speech.

Question 13

A good conclusion can rescue a poorly prepared speech.

Question 14

The position near the end of a speech is referred to as ________________.

Question 15

In concluding a speech, you should:

A) ask one final question and give a powerful answer.
B) make sure listeners are knowledgeable and satisfied.
C) put a surprising remark in the very last sentence.
D) remind listeners that your message is important.
E) thank listeners for their attention to your message.

Question 16

In testing the validity of the serial position effect, Ebbinghaus found that information:

A) given during the conclusion had the highest level of recall.
B) given during the introduction had the highest level of recall.
C) given with common sequence transitions was forgotten.
D) that followed a signpost transition was remembered best.
E) repeated in an internal summary was remembered best.

Question 17

Primacy is related to the importance of information in a speech.

Question 18

An effective conclusion will help the audience to:

A) compare the speech with other speeches.
B) discuss the speech with other listeners.
C) feel satisfied that the message is completed.
D) get a sense of relief that the speech is over.
E) turn their attention in other directions.

Question 19

A good conclusion gently tapers off at the end.

Question 20

The conclusion of your speech is:

A) the best place to thank your audience for listening.
B) the last chance you have to drive home your ideas.
C) an opportunity to add any last-minute comments.
D) where you present the most important information.
E) where you present the most memorable information.

Question 21

In the conclusion of a speech, advice is a(n):

A) clear statement of the difference between right and wrong.
B) dramatic and memorable verbal flourish at the end.
C) opportunity to demonstrate credibility and competence.
D) restatement of the thesis statement in the introduction.
E) speaker's opinion about what should or should not be done.

Question 22

A concluding device is:

A) a captivating remark you wish listeners to contemplate.
B) a compelling statement specifically saved to be said last.
C) a directive statement telling the audience what to do.
D) the mental picture you want your audience members to remember.
E) a question leaving the listeners curious and motivated.

Question 23

An appeal to action occurs when a speaker asks the audience to engage in a specific behavior or change in thinking.

Question 24

Differentiate between primacy and recency, and explain why they are important in public speaking.

Question 25

Explain the serial position effect and its importance to public speaking.

Question 26

What are the two functions of a conclusion?

Question 27

A challenge in a conclusion:

A) asks audience members to always remember the message.
B) calls for members of the audience to make a special effort.
C) makes a case for democratic participation in the community.
D) questions whether or not the audience will do something.
E) tells listeners why it's important to withhold judgment.

Question 28

Restating your thesis in the conclusion:

A) is an exact, word-for-word repetition of your thesis statement.
B) reminds listeners of the major purpose or goal of the speech.
C) signals your steadfast, unshakable commitment to your beliefs.
D) tells the audience you have stayed on message consistently.
E) will most likely be boring to even the most interested listeners.

Question 29

Reviewing the main points in a conclusion:

A) asks the audience to adopt a specific course of action.
B) convinces listeners that you know the topic thoroughly.
C) increases the likelihood that listeners will remember them.
D) prepares the audience to respond with applause at the end.
E) reduces the likelihood that listeners will doubt them.

Question 30

Explain how audiences are likely to respond to a weak conclusion.

Question 31

A speaker asks too much of the audience if he or she asks them to visualize the future.

Question 32

In a reference to the audience, the speaker:

A) answers the question, "What's in it for me?"
B) cites the audience's potential for greatness.
C) emphasizes the uniqueness of their community.
D) motivates them to trust his or her credibility.
E) praises the audience for their exceptional traits.

Question 33

When you conclude your speech with a question:

A) the audience will spontaneously respond out loud.
B) you force the audience to contemplate the answer.
C) you have another chance to drive home a main point.
D) listeners will become confused if you don't answer it.
E) you will pique audience expectation for an answer.

Question 34

The three aspects of an effective conclusion are: restatement of thesis, review of points, and ______________ device.

Question 35

In concluding a speech with a quotation, you can omit citing the source.

Question 36

In concluding a speech by proposing a solution to a problem, the speaker must consider:

A) the audience's response to bringing up the subject.
B) the causal analysis of the problem being solved.
C) finding out if anyone does anything about it.
D) whether the proposal warrants more discussion.
E) whose fault it is that the problem is occurring.

Question 37

When you conclude your speech with a quotation, you:

A) eliminate the need to summarize your points.
B) lose momentum if you cite your source.
C) motivate your audience to take action.
D) should repeat a quotation used in the introduction.
E) underscore or summarize your message.

Question 38

Concluding your speech with inspiration means:

A) effectively balancing reason with emotion.
B) giving common-sense advice to your listeners.
C) making the conclusion dramatic and memorable.
D) stirring your audience´s emotions in a specific manner.
E) your speech has a clear persuasive purpose.

Question 39

Restating the thesis in the conclusion relaxes the audience.

Question 40

A review of main point shows that you have not drifted off topic.

Question 41

The goal of ______________ is to stir the audience emotionally.

Question 42

Should a speaker ever give advice during a speech, or does doing this automatically devalue the speaker's credibility?

Question 43

What are the three parts of an effective conclusion? Explain each.

Question 44

______________ is a speaker's opinion about what should or should not be done.

Question 45

For what two possible reasons might a speaker conclude with a quotation?

Question 46

A ______________ is a call to engage in some kind of activity that requires a special effort.

Question 47

Name three types of concluding devices that could be effective for a persuasive speech. Explain each.

Question 48

When you conclude a speech with a ______________, you compel the audience to contemplate an answer.