Quiz 11: Concluding With Power

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A good conclusion can rescue a poorly prepared speech.

A good conclusion gently tapers off at the end.

A good conclusion helps listeners remember the speech.

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

Hermann Ebbinghaus proposed what he called the _______________ position effect.

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

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

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

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

What are the two functions of a conclusion?

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Restating the thesis in the conclusion relaxes the audience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The goal of ______________ is to stir the audience emotionally.

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

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

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

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