COM 114 EXAM 3 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
What is verbal communication? - Answers Communication using words verbally between
individuals.
What does 'The Power of Words' refer to? - Answers The significant impact words can have on a
person's thoughts, actions, and speech, both positively and negatively.
What are the three types of meaning in verbal communication? - Answers Denotative,
Connotative, and Intentionality.
What is denotative meaning? - Answers The dictionary definition of a word, such as 'snake'
meaning 'a long, legless reptile.'
What is connotative meaning? - Answers The feelings or ideas associated with a word, like
'snake' implying someone who is sneaky or untrustworthy.
What is intentionality in communication? - Answers The speaker's intended meaning or purpose
behind their words, such as calling someone a 'snake' to imply betrayal.
What is polysemy? - Answers The phenomenon where one word has multiple meanings
depending on context, like 'bark' meaning both the sound a dog makes and the outer covering of
a tree.
What is the difference between langue and parole? - Answers Langue is the overall system of a
language, while parole is how individuals use language in everyday life.
Give examples of parole. - Answers Slang like 'lit,' texting shortcuts like 'brb,' and personal
speech styles or accents.
What does accommodation mean in communication? - Answers Changing communication style
to be more similar to or different from the person being spoken to.
What is convergence in communication? - Answers Adjusting speech or behavior to match
someone else's, like using the same slang as friends.
What is divergence in communication? - Answers Making communication different to
emphasize individuality, like maintaining a unique accent.
What are the five elements of Burke's Pentad? - Answers Agent, Act, Scene, Purpose, and
Agency.
What is an account in communication? - Answers An explanation or story given to justify actions,
like explaining being late due to traffic.
Do accounts always have a 'spin'? - Answers Yes, accounts often present a situation in a way
that makes the person look better, which can be beneficial or detrimental.
, What is the purpose of persuasive speeches? - Answers To influence the audience's beliefs,
attitudes, or behaviors and encourage them to adopt a new opinion or take action.
What are the three characteristics of persuasive speeches? - Answers Involves multiple
communicators, does not involve force, and usually changes beliefs gradually.
What are the three pillars of persuasion? - Answers Ethos (credibility), Pathos (feeling), and
Logos (logic).
How can ethos (credibility) be enhanced in a persuasive speech? - Answers Through derived
credibility, initial credibility, and demonstrating expertise or knowledge.
What is derived credibility? - Answers Credibility gained from the speaker's message during the
speech, such as presenting well-researched facts.
What is initial credibility? - Answers Credibility the speaker has before the speech, based on
reputation or expertise.
What is terminal credibility? - Answers The credibility a speaker has after delivering their
message, based on effectiveness and audience connection.
What does high ethos indicate about a speaker? - Answers High ethos means the speaker is
trusted, knowledgeable, and respected, making the audience more likely to believe them.
What does low ethos indicate about a speaker? - Answers Low ethos means the speaker lacks
credibility or trustworthiness, making the audience less likely to be persuaded.
How can emotionally charged language enhance pathos? - Answers By choosing words that
evoke strong feelings in the audience, such as compassion or sympathy.
Give an example of using emotionally charged language to enhance pathos. - Answers A
commercial stating, 'This puppy needs a loving home before it gets hurt' appeals to compassion.
How can storytelling enhance pathos in a speech? - Answers By sharing relatable narratives that
connect emotionally with the audience.
Give an example of storytelling to enhance pathos. - Answers A speaker describing their
struggle with bullying to evoke empathy and highlight the importance of anti-bullying programs.
What are the drawbacks of excessive pathos in a speech? - Answers It can make the speaker
seem less reliable, force the audience, cloud judgment, or induce feelings of guilt or shame.
What is adoption in persuasive speech influence? - Answers When the audience is persuaded to
take on a new belief, attitude, or behavior.
What is discontinuance in persuasive speech influence? - Answers When the audience is
persuaded to stop a current behavior.
What is verbal communication? - Answers Communication using words verbally between
individuals.
What does 'The Power of Words' refer to? - Answers The significant impact words can have on a
person's thoughts, actions, and speech, both positively and negatively.
What are the three types of meaning in verbal communication? - Answers Denotative,
Connotative, and Intentionality.
What is denotative meaning? - Answers The dictionary definition of a word, such as 'snake'
meaning 'a long, legless reptile.'
What is connotative meaning? - Answers The feelings or ideas associated with a word, like
'snake' implying someone who is sneaky or untrustworthy.
What is intentionality in communication? - Answers The speaker's intended meaning or purpose
behind their words, such as calling someone a 'snake' to imply betrayal.
What is polysemy? - Answers The phenomenon where one word has multiple meanings
depending on context, like 'bark' meaning both the sound a dog makes and the outer covering of
a tree.
What is the difference between langue and parole? - Answers Langue is the overall system of a
language, while parole is how individuals use language in everyday life.
Give examples of parole. - Answers Slang like 'lit,' texting shortcuts like 'brb,' and personal
speech styles or accents.
What does accommodation mean in communication? - Answers Changing communication style
to be more similar to or different from the person being spoken to.
What is convergence in communication? - Answers Adjusting speech or behavior to match
someone else's, like using the same slang as friends.
What is divergence in communication? - Answers Making communication different to
emphasize individuality, like maintaining a unique accent.
What are the five elements of Burke's Pentad? - Answers Agent, Act, Scene, Purpose, and
Agency.
What is an account in communication? - Answers An explanation or story given to justify actions,
like explaining being late due to traffic.
Do accounts always have a 'spin'? - Answers Yes, accounts often present a situation in a way
that makes the person look better, which can be beneficial or detrimental.
, What is the purpose of persuasive speeches? - Answers To influence the audience's beliefs,
attitudes, or behaviors and encourage them to adopt a new opinion or take action.
What are the three characteristics of persuasive speeches? - Answers Involves multiple
communicators, does not involve force, and usually changes beliefs gradually.
What are the three pillars of persuasion? - Answers Ethos (credibility), Pathos (feeling), and
Logos (logic).
How can ethos (credibility) be enhanced in a persuasive speech? - Answers Through derived
credibility, initial credibility, and demonstrating expertise or knowledge.
What is derived credibility? - Answers Credibility gained from the speaker's message during the
speech, such as presenting well-researched facts.
What is initial credibility? - Answers Credibility the speaker has before the speech, based on
reputation or expertise.
What is terminal credibility? - Answers The credibility a speaker has after delivering their
message, based on effectiveness and audience connection.
What does high ethos indicate about a speaker? - Answers High ethos means the speaker is
trusted, knowledgeable, and respected, making the audience more likely to believe them.
What does low ethos indicate about a speaker? - Answers Low ethos means the speaker lacks
credibility or trustworthiness, making the audience less likely to be persuaded.
How can emotionally charged language enhance pathos? - Answers By choosing words that
evoke strong feelings in the audience, such as compassion or sympathy.
Give an example of using emotionally charged language to enhance pathos. - Answers A
commercial stating, 'This puppy needs a loving home before it gets hurt' appeals to compassion.
How can storytelling enhance pathos in a speech? - Answers By sharing relatable narratives that
connect emotionally with the audience.
Give an example of storytelling to enhance pathos. - Answers A speaker describing their
struggle with bullying to evoke empathy and highlight the importance of anti-bullying programs.
What are the drawbacks of excessive pathos in a speech? - Answers It can make the speaker
seem less reliable, force the audience, cloud judgment, or induce feelings of guilt or shame.
What is adoption in persuasive speech influence? - Answers When the audience is persuaded to
take on a new belief, attitude, or behavior.
What is discontinuance in persuasive speech influence? - Answers When the audience is
persuaded to stop a current behavior.
