Reading, Memory, and Test Preparation Strategies for Speech

Memory Strategies

Mneumonics

Lists of information are common components of many speech and communication classes. One way to encode and retrieve lists is to use mnemonics. If the items in the list are lengthy phrases or sentences, try to reduce each to a key word(s) to use in the mnemonic. Take the first letter of each item in the list and form it into a cue word or cue phrase.

For instance, the three types of supporting evidence for speeches are statistics, examples, and testimonials. These may be remembered using this mnemonic (D. Applegate, CAL):

• S E T
• Supporting Evidence Types
• Statistics Examples Testimonials

To remember the six parts of a speech, use this cue phrase (D. Applegate, CAL):

• Attention, thesis, preview, body, summary, closing statement
• Al Took Pat Back to South Carolina

Visual Association

Concepts, lists, and people may be remembered by associating them with images that link the new information with prior knowledge.

For example, use this image to remember the five steps of Monroe's motivated sequence:

• Attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, action

You are driving down the road and suddenly the car gets your ATTENTION when the muffler falls off. You NEED to have it fixed so you drive to the nearest MONRO muffler shop. They fix it and give you a guarantee of SATISFACTION. Happily you VISUALIZE the muffler lasting for the next five years. You are so grateful you take ACTION and write a thank-you to the company (D. Applegate, CAL).

Reading Strategies

Reading Comprehension and Questioning Approach

The following strategy is designed primarily to improve reading comprehension of introductory speech texts (A. Mueser, CAL). However, the approach also helps students to self-test and to prepare for exams. It combines elements of the SQ3R reading strategy, information organization using flash cards, and rehearsal for encoding information into long-term memory.

• Survey
  Begin by surveying the chapter to be read. Note the main topics, subtopics, diagrams graphs, charts, and lists.

• Read
  Carefully read the chapter from beginning to end. If possible, read the entire chapter at one sitting; if this is not possible, at least read the entire chapter in one day.

• Summarize
  Soon after completing the chapter reading, form your own summary of the main points of the text and/or read through the chapter summary.

• Question
  Generate questions that can be answered with lists. Write the question on one side of a flash card and the answer (the list) on the other side. Examples of questions are: What five elements are incorporated in a useful model of public speaking? What are the three types of supporting evidence with an example of each? What are the four functions of the introduction to a speech? What are the five ways of organizing a speech? What are the major guidelines for using visual aids during a speech?

• Rehearse
  Rehearse the questions and answers periodically until you know them well. Use the flash cards to review for exams.

Theory Checklist

Communication theory can be challenging reading. Two strategies are suggested for reading theory assignments. First, budget enough time to read the theory material two or possibly three times. Second, use the checklist below to summarize the theory as you read or after reading (D. Applegate, CAL).

Test Preparation

Two effective ways to prepare for written tests in speech communication are study guides and practice questions (D. Applegate, CAL).

Study Guides

Study guides provide an overview of information to be covered on an exam; they are used to guide students' preparation for tests. Study guides that summarize the important material to be learned for a test may be provided by instructors. If not, students should make up their own study guides. To make up a study guide, go through the lecture notes and text book and compile lists of key terms, people, lists, dates, and concepts. Arrange the material by topic/chapter or by type of information. Use single words and simple phrases only. Examples of study guides are given below.

TERMS persuasion demagogue propaganda rhetoric artistic proofs ethos logos pathos PEOPLE Postman Aristotle Isocrates Shannon and Weaver Rank Monroe Cicero Petty and Cacioppo CONCEPTS Five components of dramatist pentad; example of each Methods of intensification; example of each Methods of downplaying; example of each Explain SMCR model Identify and describe six ethical perspectives

Practice Questions

If old exams, end-of-chapter review questions, and workbook review questions are not available, students should make up and answer their own sample questions. Try turning the chapter headings and subheadings into questions. Take information from the recall column of the lecture notes, if the Cornell method is used, and form it into questions. Sample questions are provided below.

Essay Questions

Discuss Aristotle's three types of artistic proofs, giving examples of each.

Draw and label the SMCR model of persuasion. Define each part of the model. Discuss the goals related to critical evaluation of persuasion based on the model.

Identify and give an example of the five components of the dramatist pentad.

Discuss the approaches to organizing speeches.

Identify the three types of supporting evidence, giving an example of each.

Draw and label the model of communication.

Identify the difference between qualititative and quantitative communication research, giving an example of each.

Compare and contrast the Eastern and Western schools of communication research.

Describe the main concepts of cultivation theory of mass media. Give an example of a research question that might be investigated using this theory and the methodology that would be used to conduct the study.

Identify and describe the four methods of collecting data.

Compare and contrast the scientific and humanistic schools of communication research.

Multiple Choice Questions

The part of the SMCR model that conveys a meaning through codes is:

a. channel
b. source
c. receiver
d. message

Persuasion:

a. is unconscious
b. relies on emotional appeals and irrationality
c. attempts to alter the behavior of the receiver
d. is based on partial disclosure of information

The part of a speech that alerts the audience to the main points of the speech is the:

a. introduction
b. central idea
c. signpost
d. presummary

The European tradition of communication research:

a. focuses on wholes
b. relies on cultural and historical approaches
c. is largely quantitative
d. uses the structuralist perspective only

True-False Questions

Library research is the first step in writing a speech.

The critical school of communication research seeks societal change.

Appeals to the audience's emotions and passions are called ethos.

Omission is a method of downplaying.

The SMCR model was developed by Shannon and Weaver.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Using opposite language to confuse or conceal the truth is _____ .

_____ is a method of intensification in persuasion.

Artistic proofs were introduced by _____ .

The first step in Monroe's motivated sequence is _____ .

_____ research attempts to be bias-free.