COMM 1100 Human Communication
Bainbridge College
Spring 2013
FINAL take-home EXAM
NAME:
(type name)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS:

Answers must be typed and may be submitted via email at ar07@my.fsu.edu OR to instructor’s
mailbox in A&S building anytime before Wednesday, 05/01/2013 at 6:00 pm.

This test is completely open book, open notes, and open to discussion. You are encouraged to
ask the instructor and your classmates for help but you should NOT share answers with your
classmates. Answers that look suspiciously similar will be challenged. The instructor reserves
the right to challenge students’ answers.

You have been given three (3) speeches to analyze. For each speech answer the following
questions:
1. What are the specific purpose and central idea of the speech? (2 points)
2. Evaluate the introduction of the speech. (4 points) Consider how the speech gains attention
and interest, reveals the topic, establishes credibility and goodwill, and previews the body of the
speech.
3. Evaluate the conclusion of the speech. (3 points) Consider how the speech signals the end, if it
builds up or down, and if the central idea is reinforced.
4. Identify two (2) uses of imagery (concrete words, similes, metaphors) and/or rhythm
(parallelism, repetition, alliteration, antithesis). (4 points)
5. Identify all types of testimony used in the speech. (4 points)
a. Evaluate the testimonies and comment on whether they are good or how you would improve
them.
b. If no testimony, propose two testimonies, identify types, and explain your recommendation.
6. Identify all examples and/or statistics used in the speech. (4 points)
a. Evaluate the examples and statistics and comment on whether they are well used or how you
would improve them.
b. If no examples or statistics, propose two, identify them, and explain your recommendation.
7. Overall, how was the speech? What did you like or didn’t like about it? What would you
recommend be changed? (4 points)
1. Special Occasion Speech:
There are many great sporting events in the world and there are many great athletes, but no
sporting event or athlete better exemplifies the definition of courage, determination, and stamina than the
Tour de France bicycle race and its magnificent racers.
Over a 2,400-mile course through the French countryside they race. Across endless flatlands and
over demoralizing mountains they endure—nay, they conquer. To win the race outright is no more than a
pipe dream for all but a select few. The real victory is to finish the race. It becomes not a competition
against the other racers, but a competition against one’s self. The capacity to transcend relentless pain is
an earmark of any great athlete, but the racers of the Tour ode France deserve special credit.
Courage—the quality of being brave. They show me this. Prim and trim, dressed in racing tights
that reflect a kaleidoscope of colors, they gather at the starting line. But the flash and glimmer of the
starting line is fleeting. At the sound of the gun, the battle begins, and as in all battles, there will be
casualties. I remember one racer who suffered a broken nose and still continued. I’ve heard of many a
racer who had dinner-plate sized patches of flesh torn away by sixty-mile-per-hour crashes and still
continued. I recall another racer who suffered a broken arm and had a team doctor set it on the spot so he
could continue. For courage like that, I say hail to the heroes.
Determination—a firm intention. They show me this. Only by failing to finish the race, say the
bikers, is one truly defeated. So with this in mind, they grit their teeth and pedal on. Through blinding
downpours, they wipe their glasses dry and pedal on. Suffering from freezing cold on mountaintops and
sweltering heat in valleys, they pedal on. Suffering from agonizing backaches and never-ending barrage
of leg cramps, they pedal on. For determination like that, I say hail to the heroes.
Stamina—staunch resistance to fatigue. They show me this. For twenty-two days they race. Each
day brings a new level of exhaustion that must be endured and overcome. When watching the bikers go
by, one can almost read their facial expressions: “I want to stop, but I can’t. Push, push, push.” “My chest
is exploding, I can hardly breath, but I can’t stop. Push, push, push.” “One more climb. I can’t make it.
Yes, I can. Push, push, push.” For this special kind of stamina, I say hail to the heroes.
In the morning light I often climb on my own bike. I push myself up hills and race down the other
side. But not like they do. I pace myself on flatlands and straightaways. But not like they do. I have
courage, determination, and stamina. But not like they do. So during the Tour de France, I climb off my
bike and become one in a throng and watch them as they pedal by and silently say to myself, hail to the
heroes.
2. Informative Speech:
How many of you here consider yourself caffeine addicts? How much coffee do you drink a day?
One cup? Two cups? More? How about caffeinated sodas? Caffeine is pervasive in our society these days
and every few months we hear about how a study has shown that it is bad for us or good for us. What are
we to believe? Today I'd like to give you some of the facts about caffeine and its effects on your body. It
may not cause you to change your coffee consumption but at least you'll be better informed about what
you are putting into your body. I'm going to talk about the beneficial effects of caffeine; the negative
effects and discuss what are considered safe levels of caffeine consumption.
Let's start with the good news. Caffeine, which comes from the leaves, seeds and fruits of about
63 different plants, is well known as a stimulant. That's why people drink it, right? Caffeine does help you
wake up and feel more alert and it has been shown to increase attention spans. This is a beneficial effect
for people who are driving long distances and for people who are doing tedious work. Calling this a
health benefit may be stretching it, though staying awake while you are driving a car is definitely a
benefit to your well-being! Caffeine also contains antioxidants, which have been shown to have cancer
prevention qualities.
The negative effects of caffeine are largely dependent on how much you consume. When
consumed in small quantities like, for example when you have one cup of coffee or one soda, caffeine can
cause your heart rate to increase, you urinate more which can cause dehydration, and your digestive
system produces more acid. In larger amounts, caffeine can cause you to have headaches, feel restless and
nervous, be unable to sleep, and even, in very large quantities to have hallucinations. (Don't try that at
home!) When larger amounts of caffeine (over 600 mg per day) are used over long periods of time you
can develop sleep problems, get depressed and have problems with your digestive system.
According to a Medline article on the National Institutes of Health website, having caffeine in
your diet is not of any benefit to your health but moderate consumption is also not considered harmful.
They say that having up to 3 eight-ounce cups of coffee a day or 250 mg of caffeine is considered (quote)
"average or moderate". 10 cups of coffee a day is considered excessive. Also, remember that the amount
of caffeine per cup can vary greatly depending on the type of beans that are used and the strength of the
brew. Most sodas with caffeine, unless they are specially enhanced like "Jolt" or something like that, have
about 35 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces so you don't have to worry too much unless you are drinking several
2 liter bottles per day. Also, the effect of caffeine on you personally will depend on a number of factors
like your weight, general health, mood and personal sensitivity to caffeine.
You can see that caffeine can have both positive and negative effects on our health and wellbeing but the bottom line is that if you drink your coffee or sodas in moderation, you don't have to worry
too much. So, the next time you are wondering whether you should have that second cup of coffee to perk
you up, relax. At least now you know what it is and isn't doing to you!
3. Persuasive Speech:
What do Steve Martin, Dustin Hoffman, Albert Einstein, Jerry Garcia, Michael Stipe, Eddie
Vedder, Martina Navratilova, Carl Lewis, and 12 million other Americans all have in common? All of
these well-known people were or are vegetarians. What do they know that we don’t? Consuming a
regimen of high-fat, high-protein flesh foods is a sure-fire prescription for disaster, like running diesel
fuel through your car’s gasoline engine. In the book, Why Do Vegetarians Eat Like That? David Gabbe
asserts that millions of people today are afflicted with chronic diseases that can be directly linked to the
consumption of meat. Eating a vegetarian diet can help prevent many of those diseases.
In 1996, 12 million Americans identified themselves as vegetarians. That number is twice as
many as in the decade before. According to a recent National Restaurant Association poll found in Health
magazine, one in five diners say they now go out of their way to choose restaurants that serve at least a
few meatless entrees. Obviously, the traditionally American trait of a meat-dominated society has
subsided in recent years.
Society generally holds two major misperceptions about vegetarians. First of all, society often
perceives vegetarians as a radical group of people with extreme principles. In this view, vegetarians are
seen as a monolithic group of people who choose to eat vegetables because they are opposed to the killing
of animals for food. The second major misconception is that because vegetarians do not eat meat, they do
not get the proper amounts of essential vitamins and minerals often found in meat.
Here is my response to these misconceived notions. First of all, vegetarians are not a
homogeneous group of radicals. Whereas many vegetarians in the past did join the movement on the
principle that killing animals is wrong, many join the movement today mainly for its health benefits. In
addition, there are many different levels of vegetarianism. Some vegetarians eat nothing but vegetables.
Others don’t eat red meat, but do occasionally eat chicken and fish.
Secondly, contrary to popular opinion, vegetarians get more than enough vitamins and minerals
in their diet and generally receive healthier nourishment than meat eaters. In fact, in an article for Health
magazine, Peter Jaret states that vegetarians actually get larger amounts of amino acids due to the
elimination of saturated fats, which are often found in meat products. Studies show that the health benefits
of a veggie lifestyle contribute to increased life expectancy and overall productivity.
Hopefully you now see that society’s perceptions of vegetarians are outdated and just plain
wrong. You are familiar with many of the problems associated with a meat-based diet, and you have
heard many of the benefits of a vegetarian diet. Now try to imagine how you personally can improve your
life by becoming a vegetarian.
Can you imagine a world where people retire at age 80 and lead productive lives into their early
100s? Close your eyes and think about celebrating your 70th wedding anniversary, seeing your greatgrandchildren get married, and witnessing 100 years of world events and technological innovations.
David Gabbe’s book refers to studies that have shown a vegetarian diet can increase your life expectancy
up to 15 years. A longer life is within your reach, and the diet you eat has a direct impact on your health
and how you age.
Vegetarianism is a healthy life choice, not a radical cult. By eliminating meat from their diets,
vegetarians reap the benefits of a vegetable-based diet that helps prevent disease and increase life
expectancy. People, take heed of my advice. There are many more sources of information available for
those who want to take a few hours to research the benefits of the veggie lifestyle. If you don’t believe my
comments, discover the whole truth for yourself.
Twelve million Americans know the health benefits that come with being a vegetarian. Changing
your eating habits can be just as easy as making your bed in the morning. Sure it takes a few extra
minutes and some thought, but your body will thank you in the long run.
You only live once. Why not make it a long stay?