PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Goals:




To measure your understanding of the chapter objectives through knowledge and
application level questions.
To extend your thinking about and/or to apply examples to the course content.
To prepare you to participate in class discussion and activities.
To prepare you for exams.
Directions:
After reading the chapter, complete the Preparing to Participate questions as thoroughly
as possible. After each major section of the chapter, we have provided knowledge and
application level questions that will help you prepare for class participation. Each of
these are noted with the owl s below. Use the template provided here to record your
answers. Remember, the answers to the questions not only function as a device to prepare
you for class discussion, they also can act as a review guide for exams. The more
thorough your answers are, the more prepared you will be for class and exams.
Knowledge
Application
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication
1.1
Knowledge
List and describe the three benefits of studying communication.
Application
Think of a time when effective communication was beneficial in your personal or social
life. Describe the communication encounter and the successful outcome.
1.2
Knowledge
List and define the six elements of the communication process.
Application
What would happen if we eliminated feedback in the communication process during:
 A personal conversation?
 A job interview?
 A public speech?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication, Cont.
1.3
Knowledge
List and explain the three models of communication.
Application
Think of a recent communication encounter you have participated in. Can you
identify all of the elements of communication in that encounter?
1.4
Knowledge
Describe the themes that will run throughout the course.
Application
What are your personal goals for this course? What strategies will you use to
accomplish your goals?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 2: Communication Confidence
2.1
Knowledge
What is the difference between nervousness and communication
apprehension?
Application
As you read in this chapter, public speaking is among people's top fears. Why are people
afraid to speak in public?
2.2
Knowledge
What are the three causes of communication apprehension? Explain each.
Application
Would you say that you are naturally nervous or extremely anxious? If you are anxious,
which of the three would you attribute your anxieties to?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 2: Communication Confidence, Cont.
2.3
Knowledge
Describe the difference between internal and external effects of communication
apprehension.
Application
Think of a time when you were apprehensive about a communication encounter. What
happened to you physically and mentally?
2.4
Knowledge
Describe the four ways to manage communication apprehension.
Application
Have you used any of these in the past? If so, which one, and how did this strategy work
for you?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 3: Ethical Communication
3.1
Knowledge
Describe the difference between ethics and ethical communication.
Application
Think of an example of something that may be legal, but not ethical. Is it possible for
something to be ethical, but not legal?
3.2
Knowledge
List and explain the four standards that can be used to make ethical communication
decisions.
Application
Think back to an ethical communication dilemma you have faced. How did you decide
what was right or wrong in your situation? Did you consider any of the standards or
guidelines discussed in the chapter? Did any of these standards help you make your
decision?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 3: Ethical Communication, Cont.
3.3
Knowledge
Describe the premise of the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical
Communication.
Application
Can you think of a speech topic that might violate the NCA credo? Do you think that
some speech topics should be banned from being presented in the classroom?
3.4
Knowledge
Define plagiarism.
Explain the difference between intentional and unintentional plagiarism.
Application
Plagiarism is a problem on college campuses. Do you know of anyone who has
plagiarized a paper or speech? Why, do you suppose, they chose to plagiarize? What
were the short term consequences of their action? What could be long term consequences
of their action?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 4: Perception & Self-Concept
4.1
Knowledge
What are the steps in the process of perception?
Application
How do our perceptions affect the way we interpret an event?
4.2
Knowledge
What is the relationship between perception and public speaking?
Application
How will your perceptions influence the way you prepare your speech?
4.3
Knowledge
What are the factors that affect perception?
Application
How will these factors affect the way we interpret a communication event?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 4: Perception & Self-Concept, cont.
4.4
Knowledge
What is self-concept?
What is the relationship between perception and self-concept?
Application
How does self-concept affect the way we communicate with other people?
How does self-concept affect the way other people communicate with us?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 5: Choosing Topics
5.1
Knowledge
Name the three things to consider when selecting a topic for any presentation.
Describe two ways to generate ideas for a topic.
Application
Generate your own personal inventory.
Think about which topics would be interesting to your audience. Your instructor.
Be prepared to ask them in class.
5.2
Knowledge
Define the difference between a general purpose statement and a specific purpose
statement.
Application
What are the implications of making persuasive arguments in an informative
speech?
Discuss the difference in the speaker’s role when giving an informative speech versus a
persuasive speech.
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 5: Choosing Topics, cont.
5.3
Knowledge
What are the guidelines for writing specific purposes?
Application
Think about how this statement will help you make decisions as you research your topic.
5.4
Knowledge
Define thesis statement and list the five components that should be included in a thesis
statement.
Application
Why is it important to have a clear thesis statement? What are the implications of not
providing a clear thesis statement to the audience?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 6: Analyzing your Audience
6.1
Knowledge
Discuss why it is important to consider your audience when developing and producing
your speech.
Application
What would be the consequences of not considering your audience?
Can you think of an example when someone said something without considering who
they said it to? What happened?
6.2
Knowledge
Define audience demographics. Give examples of demographic traits.
Application
Consider your classroom audience. Which audience demographic traits will be important
to consider with your topic?
Consider the various classes you are taking. How are the audiences in those classes
different from this one?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 6: Analyzing your Audience, cont.
6.3
Knowledge
List six factors to consider when analyzing the speaking situation. Then, note
information to consider for each factor.
Application
Consider your classroom audience. Assess your speaking situation using the six factors
to consider when analyzing your audience.
How does speaking in a public forum differ from speaking in a classroom?
6.4
Knowledge
List and describe the informal and formal methods of gathering information about the
audience.
Application
Considering your speech topic, what questions (both formal and informal) can you ask
your audience?
How will you use this information as your research your topic and write your speech?
What will you say to connect your speech to your audience?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 7: Locating Supporting Material
7.1.
Knowledge
Define information literacy.
Application
How can becoming information literate help you, as a consumer, make better decisions?
7.2.
Knowledge
Describe the three main steps in developing a successful research strategy.
Application
How does each step help you to develop your speech topic?
7.3.
Knowledge
List and define the five types of supporting material.
Application
What types of support material have you used in the past? What types would you like to
consider now? Which ones will be best for your topic?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 7: Locating Supporting Material, Cont.
7.4.
Knowledge
What should you consider when selecting and incorporating support material for your
speech?
Application
What are the implications for using support material that may violate one of these
considerations?
7.5.
Knowledge
What information should be included in an oral citation?
Application
Why is it important to provide the audience with an oral citation?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 8: Organizing Ideas
8.1
Knowledge
Discuss why it is important to organize your ideas clearly.
Application
How does the oral style of speeches change the way the information should be presented?
8.2
Knowledge
The text mentions three factors that influence your choice for an organizational pattern.
What are they?
List and explain the four organizational patterns mentioned in the text.
Application
What would happen is a speaker didn’t follow one of these patterns?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 8: Organizing Ideas
8.3
Knowledge
List and explain the four transitional devices described in the text.
Application
How does using transitions help the listener?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 9: Outlining the Presentation
9.1
Knowledge
Why is outlining important?
Application
Think of a time when you have heard someone present a lecture or a speech. Could you
identify the parts of the speech? Was the outline structure clear? If not, how could
outlining help the speaker?
9.2
Knowledge
Define preparation outline.
List the seven guidelines for developing a preparation outline.
Application
Why is it important to use a consistent pattern of labeling and symbols?
Why do you think it is important to write the preparation outline in complete sentences?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 9: Outlining the Presentation, Cont.
9.3
Knowledge
Define speaking outline.
List the four suggestions in the text for developing a speaking outline.
Application
What is the difference between a speaking outline and preparation outline? Why is it
necessary to do both? What happens if you put too much information on your speaking
outline?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 10: Beginning and Ending the Presentation
10.1
Knowledge
Discuss why introductions and conclusions are important.
Application
In what ways does the introduction prepare your audience to listen to your speech?
What are the implications for neglecting to do so?
10.2
Knowledge
Name and explain the four goals for an introduction.
Application
Is it always necessary to include each element of the introduction?
What might happen if a speaker leaves out the attention getter, the relevance statement, or
the credibility statement?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 10: Beginning and Ending the Presentation, Cont.
10.3
Knowledge
Name and explain the two goals for a conclusion.
Application
How does the conclusion help the audience to understand and remember the speech?
How might the audience feel if the speaker neglects to provide an effective conclusion?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 11: Using Appropriate Language
11.1
Knowledge
What are the characteristics or principles of language that serve to explain its’
importance?
Application
Think about a word that you typically use to describe something. Draw a triangle of
meaning for this word.
How does language create a social reality? Provide an example to share.
11.2
Knowledge
What are the 3 differences between oral style and written style?
Application
Should your classroom speeches be more formal or informal in oral style?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 11: Using Appropriate Language, Cont.
11.3
Knowledge
What are the four considerations for effective word choice?
Application
How do these considerations enhance a speaker’s presentation? Can you think of a time
when you heard a speaker neglect one of these suggestions? What happened?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 12: Designing Presentation Aids
12. 1
Knowledge
What are the two sides of visual literacy?
Application
Why is it important for public speakers to be visually literate?
12. 2
Knowledge
What are the types of presentation aids?
Application
Which types best suit your topic, audience, and classroom situation?
12. 3
Knowledge
What are the various ways you can display your presentation aid?
Application
Which of these technologies will you have available to present your speech?
Which of these technologies do you think you might use in your profession?
12. 4
Knowledge
What are the design considerations for presentation aids?
Application
Can you think of a time when someone used a poorly designed aid? What were the
consequences?
12. 5
Knowledge
What are some guidelines for integrating your presentation aid into your speech?
Application
Given your classroom set-up, what can you do to integrate your presentation aid in an
efficient and effective way?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 13: Delivering the Presentation
13.1.
Knowledge
What is the difference between effective and ineffective delivery?
Why is delivery important?
Application
Can you think of a public speaker that has effective or ineffective delivery?
What does he or she do that is effective or ineffective?
13.2.
Knowledge
What are the four methods of delivery?
Application
Which one are you most likely to use in your classroom presentation?
Think of an example when someone you have heard speak used each of these methods.
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 13: Delivering the Presentation, Cont.
13.3.
Knowledge
What are the aspects of verbal delivery?
Application
How can you vary each of these to enhance your presentation?
What happens when there is no variation in verbal delivery?
13.4.
Knowledge
What are the aspects of nonverbal delivery?
Application
What happens when your nonverbal delivery is not consistent with your verbal delivery?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 14: Communicating in Groups
14.1
Knowledge
Define the characteristics of groups?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in a group?
Define synergy, groupthink, and interdependence?
Application
Based on this definition, what groups do you currently belong to?
Are your experiences in this group positive or negative? Why?
14.2
Knowledge
What are group norms and roles?
Application
What norms do you think will be effective in your group for this class?
What roles will you try to have?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 14: Communicating in Groups, Cont.
14.3
Knowledge
What is the role of the leader in a group?
Application
Are leaders born or do they emerge?
Why or why not?
14.4
Knowledge
What are the six steps to reflective thinking?
What are some strategies for accomplishing tasks and planning your presentation?
Application
How will the six steps to reflective thinking help your group make decisions about your
presentation?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 15: Listening
15.1
Knowledge
Discuss two reasons why listening is important.
Application
What are the consequences for not listening?
 to a family member or friend

to an instructor

to a classmate giving a speech
15.2
Knowledge
What activities are associated with the process of listening? Hint: HURIER
Application
How many times have you heard, "You are hearing, but you are not listening to me."
What is the difference?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 15: Listening, Cont.
15.3
Knowledge
Describe the four major barriers to listening.
Application
Name a situation/context in which you find it difficult to listen. Explain the situation,
discuss barriers that impede your listening, and brainstorm strategies you can use in that
situation/context that will help improve your communication.
15.4
Knowledge
Explain the five types of listening.
Application
When do you engage in each of these? Do you participate in one type more than another?
What strategies can you use to enhance your empathetic listening; your critical listening?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 15: Listening, Cont.
15.5
Knowledge
Explain the relationship between critical listening and critical thinking.
Application
Think of a situation when someone you know did not use critical thinking. What
happened? What questions should he/she have considered before acting?
Can you identify an instance when you use critical thinking without listening?
15.6
Knowledge
List the six behaviors that can improve listening.
Application
There are specific behaviors you can engage in to improve your listening. Try
experimenting with these in one of your daily conversations. What happened? Did this
person treat you differently?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 16: Building Arguments
16.1
Knowledge
Define argument.
Application
What's the difference between an argument and a disagreement?
What are the consequences of neglecting one of the six elements of a persuasive speech?
16.2
Knowledge
What are the three persuasive appeals?
Application
Which of these appeals do you think is most effective?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 16: Building Arguments, cont.
16.3
Knowledge
What are the common fallacies of reasoning?
Application
What are the consequences of using reasoning in your speech?
What are your perceptions of speakers who use fallacies?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 17: Understanding Persuasive Principles
17.1
Knowledge
What reasons does the text mention for studying persuasion?
What is persuasive public speaking?
What are the goals of persuasive public speaking?
Application
How is persuasive speaking different from informative speaking?
How does the role of the audience change?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 17: Understanding Persuasive Principles, cont.
17.2
Knowledge
What are questions of fact, value, and policy?
What are the burdens of proof for each?
Application
How do you know whether your topic needs to be argued from fact, value, or policy?
17.3
Knowledge
What organizational patterns are best for questions of fact, value, or policy?
Application
How do you decide which organizational pattern is most appropriate for your topic?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 18: Using Communication in the 21st Century
18.1
Knowledge
What does it mean to be a citizen of democracy?
Application
What have you learned in this class that will enable you to become a citizen of
democracy?
18.2
Knowledge
What does it mean to use communication for the common good?
Application
How will you use the skills learned in this class for common good?
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE
Chapter 18: Using Communication in the 21st Century, Cont.
18.3
Knowledge
What does it mean to be a consumer of messages?
Application
How has taking this class made you a better consumer of messages?