PUBLIC SPEAKING EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Burden of proof - answer--the speaker's responsibility to prove that change to the status
quo is required
-the speaker has the burden to prove the need to the audience. Without this, it's hard to
convince an audience to change their minds
Prima facie case - answer-in a debate, the first responsibility of the affirmative side to
present a logical argument that would convince a neutral judge who had not heard the
response of the other side
Causation - answer-a pattern for an informative speech that shows how one condition
generates, or is generated by, another
System of residues - answer-what a speaker wants the audience to remember after it
has forgotten everything else in a speech
Logos - answer--appeal to logic
-is a way of persuading an audience with reason, using facts and figures
Pathos - answer--appeal to emotions
-emotions are motivators so the audience is more likely to be persuaded and act on
your requests
Ethos - answer--provides an understanding for the importance that a speaker's
credibility or character has in establishing persuasion
Reluctant testimony - answer-highly credible form of supporting material in which
sources of evidence speak against their apparent self-interest
Extemporaneous (speaking) - answer-a carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is
presented from a brief set of notes
Gestures - answer-motions of a speaker's hands or arms during a speech
Posture - answer--stand straight with shoulders back, relaxed and feet shoulder width
apart
-do not cross your arms, put your hands in your pocket or slouch
-face the audience as much as possible and keep your body open
Verbal fillers - answer--words or phrases that are used during speaking to fill in a
moment of silence between connecting thoughts or ideas
-examples: ummm, like, so, you know
, Eye contact - answer-direct visual contact with the eyes of another person
Identification - answer-a process in which speakers seek to create a bond with the
audience by emphasizing common values, goals, and experiences
Visualization - answer-the process of systematically picturing oneself succeeding as a
speaker and practicing a speech with that image in mind
Invention - answer--does your topic and message suit the audience?
-do you have a main point or thesis that is clearly stated to the audience?
-does your evidence rationally support your claim?
-did you explain the cost benefits where they were appropriate?
-were you fair and ethical, avoiding plagiarism?
Arrangement - answer--can you organize your thoughts in a cohesive manner that is
clear to your audience?
-are you able to do this smoothly with flowing transitions and signposts?
-was the introduction and conclusion strong?
Style - answer--are you using appropriate tone to convey your message?
-did you incorporate tropes or figures such as metaphors or repetition to make your
message more expressive, meaningful, and memorable?
-do you appear comfortable?
Memory - answer--can you successfully deliver an extemporaneous speech?
-can you articulate without staring at a page or taking unnecessary pauses to find you
place within your speech?
Delivery - answer--did you communicate effectively, with energy, emotion and eye
contact?
-did you use appropriate posture and body positions, without slumping or fidgeting?
-did you avoid verbal fillers?
-can you integrate visual aids?
-did you use the podium effectively?
Significance - answer-what is bad about the current status quo and why it needs
changing
Harms - answer-express the problems with the status quo
Inherency - answer--determining main ideas/issues you need to cover for a claim
-the audience needs or wants to have answered/addressed (when you make the claim)
Topicality - answer-how much the proposed change will decrease the harm, and why it
is better than other proposed changes
AND ANSWERS
Burden of proof - answer--the speaker's responsibility to prove that change to the status
quo is required
-the speaker has the burden to prove the need to the audience. Without this, it's hard to
convince an audience to change their minds
Prima facie case - answer-in a debate, the first responsibility of the affirmative side to
present a logical argument that would convince a neutral judge who had not heard the
response of the other side
Causation - answer-a pattern for an informative speech that shows how one condition
generates, or is generated by, another
System of residues - answer-what a speaker wants the audience to remember after it
has forgotten everything else in a speech
Logos - answer--appeal to logic
-is a way of persuading an audience with reason, using facts and figures
Pathos - answer--appeal to emotions
-emotions are motivators so the audience is more likely to be persuaded and act on
your requests
Ethos - answer--provides an understanding for the importance that a speaker's
credibility or character has in establishing persuasion
Reluctant testimony - answer-highly credible form of supporting material in which
sources of evidence speak against their apparent self-interest
Extemporaneous (speaking) - answer-a carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is
presented from a brief set of notes
Gestures - answer-motions of a speaker's hands or arms during a speech
Posture - answer--stand straight with shoulders back, relaxed and feet shoulder width
apart
-do not cross your arms, put your hands in your pocket or slouch
-face the audience as much as possible and keep your body open
Verbal fillers - answer--words or phrases that are used during speaking to fill in a
moment of silence between connecting thoughts or ideas
-examples: ummm, like, so, you know
, Eye contact - answer-direct visual contact with the eyes of another person
Identification - answer-a process in which speakers seek to create a bond with the
audience by emphasizing common values, goals, and experiences
Visualization - answer-the process of systematically picturing oneself succeeding as a
speaker and practicing a speech with that image in mind
Invention - answer--does your topic and message suit the audience?
-do you have a main point or thesis that is clearly stated to the audience?
-does your evidence rationally support your claim?
-did you explain the cost benefits where they were appropriate?
-were you fair and ethical, avoiding plagiarism?
Arrangement - answer--can you organize your thoughts in a cohesive manner that is
clear to your audience?
-are you able to do this smoothly with flowing transitions and signposts?
-was the introduction and conclusion strong?
Style - answer--are you using appropriate tone to convey your message?
-did you incorporate tropes or figures such as metaphors or repetition to make your
message more expressive, meaningful, and memorable?
-do you appear comfortable?
Memory - answer--can you successfully deliver an extemporaneous speech?
-can you articulate without staring at a page or taking unnecessary pauses to find you
place within your speech?
Delivery - answer--did you communicate effectively, with energy, emotion and eye
contact?
-did you use appropriate posture and body positions, without slumping or fidgeting?
-did you avoid verbal fillers?
-can you integrate visual aids?
-did you use the podium effectively?
Significance - answer-what is bad about the current status quo and why it needs
changing
Harms - answer-express the problems with the status quo
Inherency - answer--determining main ideas/issues you need to cover for a claim
-the audience needs or wants to have answered/addressed (when you make the claim)
Topicality - answer-how much the proposed change will decrease the harm, and why it
is better than other proposed changes
