Glossary
acceptance speech: A speech of thanks for an award, nomina-
tion, or other honor
accommodation: Sensitivity to the feelings, needs, interests,
and backgrounds of other people
ad hominem: An attack on irrelevant personal characteristics
of the person who is proposing an idea rather than on the
idea itself
after-dinner speech: An entertaining speech, usually delivered
in conjunction with a mealtime meeting or banquet
alliteration: The repetition of a consonant sound (usually the
first consonant) several times in a phrase, clause, or sentence
analogy: A comparison; also, a special type of inductive rea-
soning that compares one thing, person, or process with
another to predict how something will perform and respond
analysis: The process of examining the causes, effects, and
history of a problem to reach a solution
analytical listener: Someone who prefers messages that are
supported with facts and details
andragogy: The art and science of teaching adults
anecdote: A brief story that is often based on fact
antithesis: Opposition, such as that used in two-part sentences
whose parts have parallel structures but contrasting
meanings
appeal to misplaced authority: Use of the testimony of an
expert in a given field to endorse an idea or product for
which the expert does not have the appropriate credentials
or expertise
articulation: The production of clear and distinct speech
sounds
attend: To focus on incoming information
attitude: A predisposition to respond favorably (like) or unfa-
vorably (dislike) to something
audience adaptation: The process of ethically using informa-
tion about an audience to help the audience clearly under-
stand the message and achieve the speaking objective
audience analysis: The process of examining information
about those who are expected to listen to a speech
award presentation: A speech that accompanies the conferring
of an award
bandwagon fallacy: Reasoning that suggests that because
every one else believes something or is doing something,
then it must be valid or correct
bar graph: A graph in which bars of various lengths represent
information
behavioral objective: Statement of the specific purpose of a
speech, expressed in terms of desired audience behavior at
the end of the speech
belief: An individual’s perception of what is true or false
benefit: A good result that creates a positive emotional response
in the listener
blueprint: The central idea of a speech plus a preview of the
main ideas
Boolean search: An advanced Web-searching technique that
allows a user to narrow a subject or keyword search by add-
ing various requirementsboom microphone: A microphone that is suspended from a
bar and moved to follow the speaker; often used in movies
and TV
brainstorming: A problem-solving technique that can be used
to generate many ideas
brief illustration: An unelaborated example, often only a sen-
tence or two long
cadence: The rhythm of language
causal fallacy: A faulty cause-and-effect connection between
two things or events
causal reasoning: Reasoning in which the relationship between
two or more events leads the person to conclude that one or
more of the events caused the others
cause-and-effect organization: Organization that focuses on a
situation and its causes or a situation and its effects
central idea: A one-sentence summary of a speech
ceremonial (epideictic) speech: A speech delivered on a special
occasion for celebration, thanksgiving, praise, or mourning
channel: The visual and auditory means by which a message is
transmitted from sender to receiver
charisma: A form of dynamism characteristic of a talented,
charming, attractive speaker
chart: A display that summarizes and presents a great deal of
information in a small amount of space
chronological organization: Organization by time or sequence
cliché: An overused expression
clip art: Images or pictures stored in a computer file or in
printed form that can be used in a presentation aid
closed-ended questions: Questions that offer several alterna-
tives from which to choose
closure: The quality of a conclusion that makes a speech
“sound finished”
code: A verbal or nonverbal symbol for an idea or image that
an audience can recognize
cognitive dissonance: The sense of mental discomfort that
prompts a person to change when new information conflicts
with previously organized thought patterns
commemorative address: A speech delivered during ceremo-
nies held in memory of some past event and often the person
or persons involved
commencement address: A speech delivered at a graduation
or commencement ceremony
common ground: Ways in which you and your listeners are
alike
competence: Being informed, skilled, or knowledgeable about
one’s subject
complexity: Arrangement of the ideas in a speech from the
simplest to the more complex
concise: Succinct or to the point
conclusion: The logical outcome of a deductive argument,
which stems from the major premise and the minor premise
connotation: The meaning listeners associate with a word,
based on past experience
consensus: The support and commitment of all group mem-
bers to the final decision of the group469Z04_BEEB3981_05_SE_Gloss_469-474.indd 469 11/14/14 5:48 PM