chapter six - gathering and using supporting material

Supporting Material

Information used to back up claims and arguments in a speech.

Personal Knowledge and Experience

A source of supporting material that enhances credibility through the speaker's own skills, hobbies, and experiences.

Boolean Search

A search method that uses operators like 'and' or '+' to combine keywords.

Online Databases

Collections of information, often academic, that provide accountability, accuracy, objectivity, date relevance, usability, and diversity.

Types of Supporting Material

Forms of evidence used to support arguments, including illustrations, descriptions & explanations, definitions, analogies, statistics, and opinions.

Illustrations

Examples used to support an idea, issue, or problem, which can be brief, extended, or hypothetical.

Definitions

Explanations of terms that may need to be clarified for the audience, particularly technical or unknown terms.

Analogy

A comparison to help listeners understand a less familiar concept by relating it to a more familiar one.

Statistics

Numerical data that summarizes facts or samples and can express the magnitude or seriousness of a situation.

Expert Testimony

A statement given by a recognized authority in a specific field.

Magnitude

The size or importance of an issue, where larger numbers are often more impactful.

Concreteness

The use of specific details, which help listeners remember information better.

Humor in Supporting Material

Using wit to engage the audience, making the material more appealing and memorable.

Usability of Sources

Refers to how easy it is for users to access and navigate information on a website or database.

Interview Preparation

Planning and organizing ahead of time for conducting an effective interview.

Reference Resources

Tools like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases that provide factual information.