Speech/Debate Final Vocab Part 1

Academic Database

A database that catalogues articles from scholarly journals.

Abstract

A summary of a magazine or journal article, written by someone other than the original author.

Newspaper and Periodical Database

A research aid that catalogues articles from a large number of magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Reference Work

A work that synthesizes a large amount of related information for easy access by researchers.

Call Number

A number used in libraries to classify books and periodicals and to indicate where they can be found on the shelves.

Catalogue

A listing of all the books, periodicals, and other resources owned by a library.

Brief Example

A specific case referred to in passing to illustrate a point.

Example

A specific case used to illustrate or represent a group of people, ideas, conditions, experiences, or the like.

Supporting Materials

The materials used to support a speaker's ideas, including examples, statistics, and testimony.

Preliminary Bibliography

A list compiled early in the research process of works that might contain helpful information about a speech topic.

Research Interview

An interview conducted to gather information for a speech.

Sponsoring Organization

An organization responsible for the content of a document on the Internet in the absence of a clearly identified author.

Mode

The number that occurs most frequently in a group of numbers.

Median

The middle number in a group of numbers arranged from highest to lowest.

Mean

The average value of a group of numbers.

Statistics

Numerical data.

Hypothetical Example

An example that describes an imaginary or fictitious situation.

Extended Example

A story, narrative, or anecdote developed at length to illustrate a point.

Paraphrase

To restate or summarize an author's ideas in one's own words.

Direct Quotation

Testimony presented word for word.

Peer Testimony

Testimony from ordinary people with firsthand experience or insight on a topic.

Expert Testimony

Testimony from recognized experts in their fields.

Testimony

Quotations or paraphrases used to support a point.

Abstract Words

Words that refer to ideas or concepts.

Concrete Words

Words that refer to tangible objects.

Thesaurus

A book of synonyms.

Connotative Meaning

The meaning suggested by the associations or emotions triggered by a word or phrase.

Denotative Meaning

The literal or dictionary meaning of a word or phrase.

Quoting Out of Context

Quoting a statement in a way that distorts its meaning by removing surrounding words and phrases.

Rhythm

The pattern of sound in a speech created by word choice and arrangement.

Metaphor

An implicit comparison between two essentially different things that have something in common.

Cliché

A trite or overused expression.

Simile

An explicit comparison between essentially different things using "like" or "as."

Imagery

The use of vivid language to create mental images.

Clutter

Discourse that uses more words than necessary to express an idea.

Mental Dialogue with the Audience

The mental interaction between speaker and listener during a persuasive speech.

Persuasion

The process of creating, reinforcing, or changing people's beliefs or actions.

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, usually in parallel structure.

Alliteration

Repetition of the initial consonant sound of close words.

Repetition

Reiteration of the same word or set of words in successive clauses or sentences.

Parallelism

Similar arrangement of related words, phrases, or sentences.

Speech to Gain Passive Agreement

A persuasive speech convincing the audience a policy is desirable without encouraging action.

Question of Policy

A question about whether a specific course of action should be taken.

Question of Value

A question about the worth or morality of an idea or action.

Question of Fact

A question about the truth of an assertion.

Target Audience

The portion of the audience the speaker most wants to persuade.

Practicality

Analyzing a question of policy to determine if the plan solves the problem.

Plan

Analyzing a question of policy to determine if the speaker has a solution.

Burden of Proof

The obligation to prove a change from current policy is necessary.

Need

Analyzing a question of policy to determine if there is a serious problem requiring change.

Speech to Gain Immediate Action

A persuasive speech convincing the audience to take action in support of a policy.

Credibility

The audience's perception of a speaker's qualification to speak on a topic.

Ethos

The name used for Aristotle for what modern students of communication refer to as credibility.