CA100 Midterm Comprehensive Study Guide
Course and Midterm Examination Overview
CA100 Midterm Review Scope and Foundations:
Grounded in core material from the APS (Art of Public Speaking) textbook and the Speech Communication Review (SCR).
Primary APS textbook chapters covered on the exam include: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, and 15 (with additional review connections to Chapters 12 and 13).
Specific review questions from the SCR are incorporated throughout the review materials.
Core Examination Components:
Direct content from assigned APS chapters.
Speech analysis and evaluation.
Key term application.
Examination Grading Policy:
Credit can be granted for submitted answers even if they are not completely correct.
Chapter 1: Speaking in Public
Main Points:
The Power of Public Speaking
The Tradition of Public Speaking
Public Speaking and Conversation
Developing Confidence: Your Speech Class
Public Speaking and Critical Thinking
The Speech Communication Process
Public Speaking in a Culturally Diverse World
Key Terms:
Stage fright: Anxiety over the prospect of giving a speech in front of an audience.
Adrenaline: A hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress.
Positive Nervousness: Controlled nervousness that helps energize a speaker for her or his presentation.
Visualization: Mental imaging in which a speaker vividly pictures himself or herself giving a successful presentation.
Critical Thinking: Focused, organized thinking about such things as the logical relationships among ideas, the soundness of evidence, and the differences between fact and opinion.
Speaker: The person who is presenting an oral message to a listener.
Message: Whatever a speaker communicates to someone else.
Channel: The means by which a message is communicated.
Listener: The person who receives the speaker's message.
Frame of Reference: The sum of a person's knowledge, experience, goals, values, and attitudes; no two people can have exactly the same frame of reference.
Feedback: The messages, usually nonverbal, sent from a listener to a speaker.
Interference: Anything that impedes the communication of a message; can be external or internal.
Situation: The time and place in which a speech communication occurs.
Ethnocentrism: The belief that one's own group or culture is superior to all other groups or cultures.
Review Questions:
In what ways is public speaking likely to make a difference in your life?
How is public speaking similar to everyday conversation?
How is public speaking different from everyday conversation?
Why is it normal—even desirable—to be nervous at the start of a speech?
How can you control your nervousness and make it work for you in your speeches?
What are the seven elements of the speech communication process, and how do they interact to determine the success or failure of a speech?
What is ethnocentrism, and why do public speakers need to avoid ethnocentrism when addressing audiences with diverse cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds?
Chapter 2: Ethics and Public Speaking
Main Points:
The Importance of Ethics
Guidelines for Ethical Speaking
Plagiarism
Guidelines for Ethical Listening
Key Terms:
Ethics: The branch of philosophy that deals with issues of right and wrong in human affairs.
Ethical Decisions: Sound ethical decisions involve weighing a potential course of action against a set of ethical standards or guidelines.
Name-calling: The use of language to defame, demean, or degrade individuals or groups.
Bill of Rights: The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms including freedom of speech.
Plagiarism: Presenting another person's language or ideas as one's own.
Global Plagiarism: Stealing a speech entirely from a single source and passing it off as one's own.
Patchwork Plagiarism: Stealing ideas or language from two or three sources and passing them off as one's own.
Incremental Plagiarism: Failing to give credit for particular parts of a speech that are borrowed from other people.
Paraphrase: To restate or summarize an author's ideas in one's own words.
Review Questions:
What is ethics, and why is a strong sense of ethical responsibility vital for public speakers?
What are the five guidelines for ethical speechmaking discussed in this chapter?
What is the difference between global and patchwork plagiarism, and what are the best ways to avoid these two kinds of plagiarism?
What is incremental plagiarism, and how can you steer clear of it when dealing with quotations and paraphrases?
What are the three guidelines for ethical listening discussed in this chapter?
Chapter 3: Listening
Main Points:
Listening is Important
Listening and Critical Thinking
Four Causes of Poor Listening
How to Become a Better Listener
Key Terms:
Hearing: The vibration of sound waves on the eardrums and the firing of electrochemical impulses in the brain.
Listening: Paying close attention to, and making sense of, what we hear.
Appreciative listening: Listening for pleasure or enjoyment.
Empathic listening: Listening to provide emotional support for a speaker.
Comprehensive listening: Listening to understand the message of a speaker.
Critical listening: Listening to evaluate a message for purposes of accepting or rejecting it.
Spare "brain time": The difference between the rate at which most people talk ( to ) and the rate at which the brain can process language ( to ).
Active listening: Giving undivided attention to a speaker in a genuine effort to understand the speaker's point of view.
Key-Word outline: An outline that briefly notes a speaker's main points and supporting evidence in rough outline form.
Review Questions and Answers:
Difference between hearing and listening:
Hearing is the physical perception of actual sound waves hitting the eardrum.
Listening is making sense of and paying active attention to what someone is saying.
Connection between listening and critical thinking:
Critical thinking uses listening to evaluate the message for the explicit purpose of accepting or rejecting it.
Why is it important to develop strong listening skills?
What are the four main causes of poor listening?
What are seven ways to become a better listener?
Chapter 4: Giving Your First Speech
Main Points:
Preparing Your Speech
Delivering Your Speech
Sample Speeches With Commentary
Key Terms:
Ice Breaker Speech: A speech early in the term designed to get students speaking in front of the class as soon as possible.
Introduction: The opening section of a speech.
Body: The main section of a speech.
Chronological Order: A method of speech organization in which the main points follow a time pattern.
Topical Order: A method of speech organization in which the main points divide the topic into logical and consistent subtopics.
Main Points: The major points developed in the body of a speech.
Transition: A word or phrase that indicates when a speaker has finished one thought and is moving on to another.
Conclusion: The final section of a speech.
Extemporaneous Speech: A carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from a brief set of notes.
Gestures: Motions of a speaker's hands or arms during a speech.
Eye Contact: Direct visual contact with the eyes of another person.
Review Questions:
What two major steps are discussed in this chapter for developing your introductory speech?
When organizing your introductory speech, you should divide it into what three sections?
What method of delivery does this chapter recommend for your introductory speech?
What steps should you take when rehearsing your speech?
What five elements of speech delivery are discussed in this chapter with regard to presenting your first speech?
Chapter 5: Selecting a Topic and a Purpose
Main Points:
Choosing a Topic
Determining the General Purpose
Determining the Specific Purpose
Phrasing the Central Idea
Key Terms:
Topic: The subject of a speech.
Brainstorming: A method of generating ideas by free association of words and thoughts.
General Purpose: The broad goal of a speech.
Specific Purpose: A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech.
Central Idea: A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech.
Residual Message: What a speaker wants the audience to remember after they have forgotten everything else in a speech.
Review Questions:
What three brainstorming methods can you follow if you are having trouble choosing a topic for your speech?
What are the two general purposes of most classroom speeches, and how do they differ?
Why is determining the specific purpose such an important early step in speech preparation, and why is it important to include the audience in the specific purpose statement?
What are five tips for formulating your specific purpose?
What are five questions to ask about your specific purpose?
What is the difference between the specific purpose and the central idea of a speech, and what are four guidelines for an effective central idea?
Chapter 7: Gathering Materials
Main Points:
Using Your Own Knowledge and Experience
Doing Library Research
Searching the Internet
Interviewing
Tips for doing Research
Key Terms:
Catalogue: A listing of all the books, periodicals, and other resources owned by a library.
Call Number: A number used in libraries to classify books and periodicals and to indicate where they can be found on the shelves.
Reference Work: A work that synthesizes a large amount of related information for easy access by researchers.
Newspaper and Periodical Database: A research aid that catalogues articles from a large number of magazines, journals, and newspapers.
Abstract: A summary of a magazine or journal article, written by someone other than the original author.
Academic Database: A database that catalogues articles from scholarly journals.
Sponsoring Organization: An organization that, in the absence of a specified author, is responsible for the content of a document on the Internet.
Research Interview: An interview conducted to gather information for a speech.
Preliminary Bibliography: A list compiled early in the research process of works and sources that look as if they might contain helpful information about a speech topic.
Review Questions:
Why can it be valuable to draw on your own knowledge and experience in gathering materials for your speeches?
What are five resources for finding what you need in the library?
What are three criteria for evaluating the soundness of research materials that you find on the Internet?
What are the three stages of a research interview, and what should you do in each stage to help ensure a successful interview?
Why is it important to start your speech research early?
What is a preliminary bibliography, and why is it helpful to you in researching a speech?
What four things should you do to take research notes efficiently?
Chapter 9: Organizing the Body of the Speech
Main Points:
Organization is Important
Main Points
Supporting Materials
Connectives
Key Terms:
Strategic Organization: Putting a speech together in a particular way to achieve a particular result with a particular audience.
Main Points: The central points developed in the body of a speech.
Chronological Order: A method of speech organization in which the main points follow a time pattern.
Spatial Order: A method of speech organization in which the main points follow a directional pattern.
Causal Order: A method of speech organization in which the main points show a cause-effect relationship.
Problem-Solution Order: A method of speech organization in which the first main point deals with the existence of a problem and the second main point presents a solution to the problem.
Topical Order: A method of speech organization in which the main points divide the topic into logical and consistent subtopics.
Supporting Materials: The materials used to support a speaker's ideas, including examples, statistics, and testimony.
Connective: A word or phrase that connects the ideas of a speech and indicates the relationships among them.
Transition: A word or phrase that indicates when a speaker has finished one thought and is moving on to another.
Internal Preview: A statement in the body of the speech that lets the audience know what the speaker is going to discuss next.
Internal Summary: A statement in the body of the speech that summarizes the speaker's preceding point or points.
Signpost: A very brief statement that indicates where a speaker is in the speech or that focuses attention on key ideas.
Review Questions:
Why is it important that speeches be organized clearly and coherently?
How many main points will your speeches usually contain, and why is it important to limit the number of main points in your speeches?
What are the five basic patterns of organizing main points in a speech? Which are appropriate for informative speeches? Which is most important for persuasive speeches? Which is used most often?
What are three tips for preparing your main points?
Chapter 10: Beginning and Ending the Speech
Main Points:
The Introduction
The Conclusion
Key Terms:
Rhetorical Question: A question that the audience answers mentally rather than out loud.
Credibility: The audience's perception of whether a speaker is qualified to speak on a given topic.
Goodwill: The audience's perception of whether the speaker has the best interests of the audience in mind.
Preview Statement: A statement in the introduction of a speech that identifies the main points to be discussed in the body.
Crescendo Ending: A conclusion in which the speech builds to a zenith of power and intensity.
Dissolve Ending: A conclusion that generates emotional appeal by fading step by step to a dramatic final statement.
Review Questions:
What are the four objectives of a speech introduction?
What are eight methods you can use in the introduction to get the attention and interest of your audience?
Why is it important to establish your credibility at the beginning of your speech?
What is a preview statement, and why should you nearly always include a preview statement in the introduction of your speech?
What are six tips for your introduction?
What are the major functions of a speech conclusion?
What are two ways to signal the end of your speech?
What are four ways to reinforce the central idea when concluding your speech?
What are four tips for your conclusion?
Chapter 11: Outlining the Speech
Main Points:
The Preparation Outline
The Speaking Outline
Key Terms:
Preparation Outline: A detailed outline developed during the process of speech preparation that includes the title, specific purpose, central idea, introduction, main points, subpoints, connectives, conclusion, and bibliography of a speech.
Visual Framework: The pattern of symbolization and indentation in a speech outline that shows the relationships among the speaker's ideas.
Bibliography: A list of all the sources used in preparing a speech.
Speaking Outline: A brief outline used to jog a speaker's memory during the presentation of a speech.
Delivery Cues: Directions in a speaking outline to help a speaker remember how she or he wants to deliver key parts of the speech.
Review Questions:
Why is it important to outline your speeches?
What is a preparation outline, and what are the eight guidelines discussed in this chapter for writing a preparation outline?
What is a speaking outline, and what are four guidelines for your speaking outline?
Chapter 12: Using Language
Main Points:
Meanings of Words
Using Language Accurately
Using Language Clearly
Using Language Vividly
Using Language Appropriately
Core Focus:
Effective language usage is vital to speech composition and public speaking.
Selecting appropriate, accurate, clear, and vivid terminology determines the audience's understanding and response.
Chapter 14: Using Visual Aids
Main Points:
Kinds of Visual Aids
Presentation Technology
Guidelines for Preparing Visual Aids
Guidelines for Presenting Visual Aids
Key Terms:
Graph: A visual aid used to show statistical trends and patterns.
Line Graph: A graph that uses one or more lines to show changes in statistics over time or space.
Pie Graph: A graph that highlights segments of a circle to show simple distribution patterns.
Bar Graph: A graph that uses vertical or horizontal bars to show comparisons among two or more items.
Chart: A visual aid that summarizes a large block of information, usually in list form.
Font: A complete set of type of the same design.
Review Questions:
What are the major advantages of using visual aids in your speeches?
What kinds of visual aids might you use in a speech?
What factors should you consider when planning to use presentation technology in a speech?
What guidelines are given in the chapter for preparing visual aids?
What guidelines are given in the chapter for presenting visual aids?
Chapter 15: Speaking to Inform
Main Points:
Types of Informative Speeches: Analysis and Organization
Guidelines for Informative Speaking
Sample Speech With Commentary
Key Terms:
Informative Speech: A speech designed to convey knowledge and understanding.
Object: Anything that is visible, tangible, and stable in form.
Process: A systematic series of actions that leads to a specific result or product.
Event: Anything that happens or is regarded as happening.
Concept: A belief, theory, idea, notion, principle, or the like.
Description: A statement that depicts a person, event, idea, or the like with clarity and vividness.
Comparison: A statement of the similarities among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.
Contrast: A statement of the differences among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.
Personalize: To present one's ideas in human terms that relate in some fashion to the experience of the audience.
Review Questions:
What are the four types of informative speeches discussed in the chapter, and what is an example of a good specific purpose statement for each type?
Why must informative speakers be careful not to overestimate what the audience knows about the topic, and what can you do to make sure your ideas do not pass over the heads of your listeners?
What should you do as an informative speaker to relate your topic directly to the audience?
What two things should you watch out for in making sure your speech is not overly technical?
What are three methods you can use to avoid abstractions in your informative speech?
Why is it important for informative speakers to be creative in thinking about ways to communicate their ideas?
Major Topic Review Questions
Identify the major similarities between public speaking and everyday conversation (APS Chapter 1).
Discuss methods of controlling nervousness and making it work for, rather than against, the speaker (APS Chapter 1).
Identify and discuss the basic elements of the speech communication process (APS Chapter 1 & practical identification practice via Zach Wahl's What Makes a Family).
Define ethnocentrism, and explain why speakers need to avoid it (APS Chapter 1).
Explain why a strong sense of ethical responsibility is vital for public speakers (APS Chapter 2).
List and discuss the five guidelines for ethical speechmaking (APS Chapter 2).
Identify and differentiate among global plagiarism, patchwork plagiarism, and incremental plagiarism (APS Chapter 2).
List and discuss the three basic guidelines for ethical listening (APS Chapter 2).
Explain the difference between hearing and listening (APS Chapter 3).
Explain why good listening is important to effective speechmaking (APS Chapter 3).
Identify the four major causes of poor listening (APS Chapter 3).
Discuss the six ways to become a better listener (APS Chapter 3).
Explain why the effective use of language is vital to speech composition and public speaking (APS Chapter 12).
Explain four methods one can use when having trouble choosing a speech topic (APS Chapter 5).
Differentiate among the general purpose, specific purpose, and central idea of a speech (APS Chapter 5).
Formulate effective specific purpose statements and central ideas (APS Chapter 5).
Discuss Lucas's five tips for formulating specific purpose statements and the five questions to ask about them (APS Chapter 5).
Discuss and apply the four guidelines for effective central ideas (APS Chapter 5).
Discuss the four kinds of informative speeches (APS Chapter 15).
Explain and apply the six guidelines for informative speech (APS Chapter 15).
Discuss why it is important for speeches to be organized clearly and coherently (APS Chapter 9).
Identify and discuss the five major methods of organizing main points in a speech (APS Chapter 9).
Discuss the guidelines for organizing main points (APS Chapter 9).
Explain the four kinds of speech connectives (APS Chapter 9).
Identify the four objectives of a speech introduction (APS Chapter 10).
Explain seven methods that can be used to gain attention in an introduction (APS Chapter 10).
Identify the major functions of a speech conclusion (APS Chapter 10).
Explain the methods for fulfilling the functions of a speech conclusion (APS Chapter 10).
Differentiate between a preparation outline and a speaking outline (APS Chapter 11).
Utilize the guidelines for an effective preparation outline (APS Chapter 11).
Explain the three major advantages of using visual aids in a speech (APS Chapter 14).
Discuss the kinds of visual aids available for use in speeches (APS Chapter 14).
Discuss and apply the guidelines for effective use of visual aids in speech (APS Chapter 14).
Explain the eight aspects of voice usage that are crucial to public speaking (APS Chapter 13).
Explain why nonverbal communication is important to the speaker (APS Chapter 13).
Discuss the four most important aspects of nonverbal communication for the speaker (APS Chapter 13).
Explain the five-step method for effectively practicing delivery (APS Chapter 13).
Identify and correct basic errors in writing mechanics (General).
Discuss key speech texts studied during this unit (General; review sample speeches on Kaltura and speech examples in SCR & APS).
Discuss strategies for researching a speech topic, including those discussed in the library module (APS Chapter 7 & Sift and Winnow).
Discuss the five important resources for finding what you need in the Library (APS Chapter 7).
Explain how to use the Internet efficiently and responsibly for speech research (APS Chapter 7).
Explain the three key criteria for evaluating the quality of materials on the World Wide Web (APS Chapter 7).
Questions and Discussion: Core Concept Solutions
Elements of the Speech Communication Process (Contributed by Ly, Sara, Stella):
Speaker: The individual who presents the speech.
Message: Whatever a speaker communicates to someone else.
Verbal Message: The spoken words.
Nonverbal Message: Physical signals, including gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions.
Channel: The means and medium through which a message is communicated.
Listener: The individual or audience who receives the speaker's message.
Feedback: Messages sent back from the audience to the speaker.
Verbal Feedback: Audible reactions such as applause, booing, or asking questions.
Nonverbal Feedback: Physical cues such as slouching, nodding, and facial expressions.
Interference: Factors that impede the communication of a message.
Internal Interference: Originates within the listener, such as audience members worrying about outside problems or being in physical pain.
External Interference: Originates outside the listener, such as street traffic noise, microphone static, or a room that is excessively cold or hot.
Reactants: Psychological resistance or oppositional reactions impeding reception.
Situation: The time and physical or cultural location where a speech takes place.
Guidelines for Ethical Speechmaking (Contributed by Jayme and Mason):
Make sure your goals are ethically sound.
Be fully prepared for every speech.
Be honest in what you say.
Avoid hateful language, name-calling, and abusive remarks.
Put ethical principles into actual practice.
Forms and Differentiation of Plagiarism (Contributed by Jayme and Mason):
Global Plagiarism: Stealing an entire speech, text, or paper from a single source and passing it off as one's own without citation.
Patchwork Plagiarism: Constructing a speech by taking fragments, sentences, and ideas from two or more sources and patching them together into one presentation without citation.
Incremental Plagiarism: Failing to give specific credit for particular parts, quotations, or data borrowed from sources throughout the speech.
Guidelines for Ethical Listening (Contributed by Eli and Sarah):
Listen courteously and attentively to the speaker.
Avoid prejudging the speaker based on appearance, delivery, or background.
Maintain the free and open expression of ideas.
Methods to Become a Better Listener (Contributed by Eli and Sarah):
Take listening seriously and commit to improving.
Be an active listener by engaging mentally with the speech.
Resist internal and external distractions.
Do not be diverted by the speaker's personal appearance or mannerisms of delivery.
Suspend judgment until hearing the entire message.
Focus your listening on main points, evidence, and technique.
Elements of Speech Delivery (Contributed by Liam and Elan):
Modes of Delivery:
Extemporaneous: A carefully prepared and rehearsed speech delivered from a brief set of speaking notes.
Impromptu: A speech delivered with little or immediate preparation.
Manuscript: A speech written out word for word and read out loud to the audience.
Memory: A speech memorized entirely and recited from memory.
Vocals:
Volume: The relative loudness or softness of the speaker's voice.
Pitch: The relative highness or lowness of the speaker's voice.
Rate: The speed at which a person speaks.
Body:
Body Language and Posture: How the speaker stands, carries themselves, and moves physically.
Eye Contact: Direct visual contact with listeners in the audience.
Tips for Formulating a Specific Purpose Statement (Contributed by Cole, Aaron):
Write the specific purpose as a full infinitive phrase rather than as a sentence fragment.
Express the purpose as a declarative statement, not as a question.
Avoid figurative language and metaphors.
Limit the statement to one distinct idea instead of joining two separate ideas.
Ensure the statement is neither vague nor overly general.
Differentiation of Purpose and Central Idea, and Guidelines (Contributed by Cole, Aaron):
General Purpose: The overarching objective—whether the goal is to inform, explain, report, demonstrate, defend, or persuade.
Specific Purpose: The single aspect of the topic being focused on, stated precisely in a single infinitive phrase.
Central Idea: A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of the speech.
Guidelines for an Effective Central Idea:
Should be expressed in a full, complete sentence.
Should not be phrased in the form of a question.
Should avoid figurative language.
Should not be vague or overly general.
Patterns of Organizing Main Points in the Body:
Chronological Order: Follows a sequence based on time.
Topical Order: Divides the subject into logical categories or subtopics.
Spatial Order: Follows a directional or location-based pattern.
Causal Order: Demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship.
Speech Introduction Requirements and Attention-Getting Strategies (Contributed by Jacob and Peter):
Four Essential Components of an Introduction:
Gaining the audience's attention and interest.
Revealing the topic of the speech.
Establishing speaker credibility and goodwill.
Previewing the main points that will be developed in the body.
Methods to Secure Attention and Interest:
Relating the topic directly to the audience.
Stating the importance and significance of the topic.
Including a compelling quotation.
Questioning the audience (verbally or rhetorically).
Startling the audience or arousing curiosity.
Telling an engaging story or narrative.
Components of a Speech Conclusion and Signaling the End (Contributed by Finn and Keira):
Required Functions:
Give a clean transition into the final remarks.
Signal the ending of the speech.
Reinforce the central idea.
End on a strong, memorable note.
Signaling the End:
Transition using explicit concluding phrases such as "In conclusion," "To summarize," or "In the end."
Techniques for Reinforcing the Central Idea in a Conclusion (Contributed by Finn and Keira):
Refer back to ideas presented in the introduction.
Restate the thesis statement or central idea in fresh words.
Summarize the speech's main points clearly.
Conclude with an apt quotation from a credible person.
End with a dramatic, impactful statement that firmly imprints the core message on the audience.
Outlines: Preparation vs. Speaking and Structural Guidelines (Contributed by Liam and Elan):
Preparation Outline: A thorough, detailed outline used to organize and plan the entire structure of the speech.
Speaking Outline: A brief, condensed outline containing only key words, phrases, and delivery cues used during actual presentation.
Key Outlining and Structural Guidelines:
Define your purpose clearly: Decide explicitly whether to inform, persuade, inspire, or entertain.
Know your audience: Analyze and account for their general backgrounds, interests, and knowledge levels.
Conduct research: Gather reliable facts, statistical evidence, and quotations to strengthen the argument.
Maintain a solid structure: Construct a clear framework comprising hook/introduction, body, and conclusion.
Visual Aids: Classifications, Media Rules, and Presentation Guidelines (Contributed by Ly, Sara, Stella):
Types of Visual Aids:
Objects and Models: Tangible equipment shown to listeners; models are substituted when an object is too large, too small, or unavailable.
Photographs and Drawings: Used to clarify physical features; physical copies should be shown effectively rather than passed around.
Graphs: Used to illustrate statistical trends and numerical relationships.
Line Graph: Displays trends across time or continuous variables.
Pie Graph: Highlights proportions and percentage distributions within a whole circle.
Bar Graph: Compares discrete categories or two or more distinct items.
Charts: Useful for summarizing large blocks of information; lists displayed on a chart should rarely exceed or .
Video: Should be limited to a maximum length of ; ensure clips are pre-cued precisely to the start time, edited cleanly for length, and presented in high resolution.
The Speaker: Using physical actions to demonstrate processes (such as performing magic tricks or demonstrating sign language).
Guidelines for Preparing Visual Aids:
Prepare all visual aids well in advance of the presentation.
Keep visual aids simple and uncluttered.
Make sure visual aids are large enough for everyone in the room to see clearly.
Use a limited amount of text.
Use fonts and colors effectively, legibly, and consistently.
Use images strategically to reinforce ideas rather than as decoration.
Guidelines for Presenting Visual Aids:
Display visual aids in positions where listeners can readily see them.
Avoid passing visual aids around among audience members during the speech.
Display visual aids only while actively discussing them; remove them when finished.
Explain the content and relevance of visual aids clearly and concisely.
Talk directly to the audience, maintaining eye contact rather than addressing the visual aid or screen.
Practice delivering the speech alongside the visual aids.
Check the room conditions and test all equipment prior to speaking.
Guidelines for Informative Speaking (Contributed by Sarah and Eli):
Do not overestimate what the audience already knows about the topic.
Relate the subject directly to the audience's interests and experiences.
Do not make the content overly technical in vocabulary or detail.
Avoid abstractions through concrete language, descriptions, comparisons, and contrasts.
Personalize ideas by framing them in human, relatable terms.
Be creative in how information and concepts are communicated.
Types and Functions of Connectives (Contributed by Peter, Jacob):
Signpost: Brief words or numerals that tell the audience exactly where the speaker is located within the speech structure (Examples: "First," "Next," "In conclusion").
Transition: A sentence or phrase that explicitly bridges the gap from one finished point to the subsequent point (Example: "Now that we covered x, let's look at y").
Internal Preview: A statement within the body that outlines for the audience the subpoints that will immediately follow (Example: "Before moving on, I'll explain three key factors…").
Internal Summary: A brief review statement that reminds listeners of what has just been covered before advancing (Example: "To recap, we just looked at…").