COMM 020 Chapter 6 Exercise

1. What is the difference between an informative speech and a persuasive speech? Why is

speaking to persuade more challenging than speaking to inform?

2. What does it mean to say that audiences engage in a mental dialogue with the speaker

as they listen to a speech? What implications does this mental give- and-take hold for

effective persuasive speaking?

3. What is the target audience for a persuasive speech?

4. What are questions of fact? How does a persuasive speech on a question of fact differ

from an informative speech? Give an example of a specific purpose statement for a

persuasive speech on a question of fact.

5. What are questions of value? Give an example of a specific purpose statement for a

persuasive speech on a question of value.

6. What are questions of policy? Give an example of a specific purpose statement for a

persuasive speech on a question of policy.

7. Explain the difference between passive agreement and immediate action as goals for

persuasive speeches on questions of policy.

8. What are the three basic issues you must deal with when discussing a question of

policy? What will determine the amount of attention you give to each of these issues in

any particular speech?

9. What four methods of organization are used most often in persuasive speeches on

questions of policy?

10. What are the five steps of Monroe’s motivated sequence? Why is the motivated

sequence especially useful in speeches that seek immediate action from listeners?

11. Choose a topic for a persuasive speech on a question of policy. Create two specific

purpose statements about that topic—one for a speech to gain passive agreement,

another for a speech to motivate immediate action. Once you have the specific purpose

statements, explain how the speech seeking immediate action would differ in structure

and persuasive appeals from the speech seeking passive agreement. Be specific.

12. Select a television commercial that is organized according to Monroe’s motivated

sequence. Prepare a brief analysis in which you

a. identify the target audience for the commercial and

b. describe each step in the motivated sequence as it appears in the commercial.

COMM 020 Chapter 6 Exercise

Public Speaking (COMM 020)