SPCM 212 Fall 2011
Review for the Final Exam
Overall Description
The exam has 50 multiple choice questions worth 2 points each. These questions will be comprehensive, though
there is a clear concentration on more recent chapters and only 9 of the 17 book chapters included on the exam.
Here is a list of the number of multiple choice questions that are based in materials covered in the chapters or in
lectures devoted to those chapters.
The Final Exams are held in the MacKay Lecture Hall.
 212A the 2 p.m Lecture Section Final is 12 to 2 p.m. Monday Dec. 12.
 212B the 3 p.m. Lecture Section Final is 12 to 2 Friday, December 16

Chapter 1: 5 questions
o communication model, esp. feedback, interference, message and channel. Be able to recognize
each in a scenario.
o what does "empowerment" mean?
o what does the textbook advise to help control nervous energy?
o what is the frame of reference?

Chapter 4: 2 questions
o general purposes, specific purpose statements, central ideas [what are the guidelines recognize flaws
in specific purpose statements and central ideas]

Chapter 8: 5 questions
o Patterns of organization from chapter 8. Recognize them and know the advantages of using one
pattern rather than another.
o What does good organization do for a speech?
o transitions, signposts, internal summary and internal preview [recognize and be able to figure
out the pattern of organization of the speech from analyzing the connective]

Chapter 9, 5 questions
o parts of good introductions and conclusions; recognize examples of each step and what step is
most important in different situations (for example when is building credibility or establishing
goodwill most necessary?)
o recommendations for reinforcing the central idea in a conclusion
o calling for action in persuasive speeches or using a reference back to the introduction.
o what does the textbook recommend as a key way to gain the initial attention of your audience
after you walk to the lectern?

Chapter 11, 14 questions
o how does language shape our sense of reality?
o Language use: connotation/denotation
o imagery and rhythm and specific figures of speech (be able to recognize examples of: metaphor,
simile, alliteration, antithesis, parallelism, personification or repetition).
o what is a cliché?
o what issues should guide a speaker when it comes to judging the appropriateness of language?
o what are the issues the text discusses concern sexist language use and how to avoid it?

Chapter 12, 5 questions
o
o
o
o
o
o
delivery: impromptu vs. extemporaneous;
what is conversational quality in public speaking?
how do rate and inflection have an impact on meaning?
what are filled pauses?
how is personal appearance related to public speaking? When does it matter?
what should you do when you first approach the lectern to give a speech?

Chapter 15, 5 questions
o Analysis of the persuasive process.
o Passive agreement vs. immediate action
o Problem(need)/Plan/Practicality; Recognize examples of claims that would help prove the
problem vs. claims that would help prove practicality.
o Recognize the patterns of organization from the persuasion chapter [including the steps in
Monroe's Motivated Sequence, comparative advantages and problem-cause-solution]

Chapter 16, 3 questions.
o reasoning: types of reasoning: specific instances, analogy and causal. Be able to recognize
examples of each.
o

Ethos, logos, pathos
Chapter 17, 6 questions
o What role do special occasion speeches play in society? (review lecture notes from the Special
Occasion days)
o Recognize central ideas that would fit a speech to entertain and/or a speech to inspire.
Sample Multiple Choice Final Exam Questions [Be sure to study the sample questions on the review sheets for
the other exams as well!]
1. Someone walking into the classroom during a speech or audience members coughing are examples of what part
of the communication model?
a. message
b. feedback
c. interruption
d. channel
e. interference
2. Chad noticed that his listeners were leaning forward and looking confused during his discussion of the details of
his plan. Because of what he saw, Chad paused and restated the key steps of his plan again for clarity. Chad is
adapting to what part of the communication model?
a. message
b. feedback
c. interruption
d. channel
e. interference
3. Regardless of the type of speech, the last sentence in your introduction will almost always
a. be brief
b. reveal the topic
c. be a preview
d. gain attention and interest
e. establish your credibility
4. According to your text _________ is especially appropriate in the conclusion to a persuasive speech of policy
a. a statistic
b. a call to action
c. an example
d. all of the above
e. a and b only
5. Below are three main points and two sub-points from a speech on a question of policy. Which is the third main
point?
a. There are several major causes of the problem of unreliable 911 operation.
b. When calls do get through, operators do not always send help promptly.
c. The growing unreliability of the 911 emergency system is a serious problem.
d. Recent studies show that in some locations many 911 calls never get through.
e. An effective solution would involve upgrading both technology and operator training.
6. Unscramble the outline in question and 7 and then indicate which pattern of organization is used.
a. problem-solution
b. problem-cause-solution
c. comparative advantages
d. Monroe's Motivated sequence
e. topical
7. "He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly." This is an
example of
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. antithesis
d. parallelism
e. repetition
8. "My fright-flick fanaticism was taking a toll on my everyday life." This is an example of
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. alliteration
d. parallelism
e. repetition
9. In a speech called "My Grandfather" Michael used the same phrase to introduce each main point in the body.
This stylistic device is known as
a. simile.
b. metaphor.
c. antithesis.
d. alliteration.
e. repetition.
10. According to the textbook, extemporaneous delivery
a. is really "off the cuff" delivery.
b. sounds spontaneous to an audience.
c. is like reading a speech.
d. is carefully rehearsed.
e. b and d
11. Which of the following specific purpose statements is from a persuasive speech of policy seeking passive
agreement?
a. To persuade my audience to donate blood.
b. To persuade my audience that they should donate money to Habitat for Humanity.
c. To persuade my audience that the University should build a parking garage on the North side of campus.
d. To persuade my audience that UFO's have visited the earth.
e. b, c and d
12. Which of the following statements is the kind of statement you would find in the problem (need) section of a
speech on a question of policy?
a. "Brazil's enforcement efforts have made a difference in controlling the number of acres cleared."
b. "Recently, Brazil has renewed its commitment to enforce the laws that fine those who exceed limits on clearing
land in the rain forest."
c. "In 1995 11,200 square miles of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil was burned or cleared."
d. none of the above
e. a and c only
13. In a special occasion speech we use a strategy of "identification" in order to
a. be clear about the subject
b. show the audience what we hold in common as a community
c. identify the people we are praising in the speech
d. make the subject larger than life
e. to isolate the situated subject of the discourse
14. In which of the following situations will the personal appearance of the speaker have an impact on the
audience?
a. a politician presenting a campaign speech
b. a business executive giving a financial report
c. a professor giving a lecture
d. personal appearance will have an impact on the audience in all of these choices
e. a student speaking before a group of alumni
15. The following connective signals what type of pattern of organization?
"We've seen that drinking among college students causes serious problems for campus communities and we have
seen the role that peer pressure and alcohol centered activities play in creating those problems. Now let's turn to
the steps universities can take to combat these problems."
a. problem-solution
b. problem-cause-solution
c. comparative advantages
d. cause-effect or causal
e. topical
Answers to Practice Questions
1. e. interference
2. b. feedback
3. c. be a preview
4. b. a call to action
5. e. An effective solution would involve upgrading both technology and operator training.
The unscrambled outline should look like this:
I. The growing unreliability of the 911 emergency system is a serious problem.
II. Recent studies show that in some locations many 911 calls never get through.
A. When calls do get through, operators do not always send help promptly.
B. There are several major causes of the problem of unreliable 911 operation.
III. An effective solution would involve upgrading both technology and operator training.
6. b. problem-cause-solution
7. a. simile
8. c. alliteration
9. e. repetition
10. e. b and d
11. c. To persuade my audience that the University should build a parking garage on the North side of campus.
12. "In 1995 11,200 square miles of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil was burned or cleared."
13. b. show the audience what we hold in common as a community
14 D. personal appearance will have an impact on the audience in all of these choices
15. b. problem-cause-solution