speech study guide
Chapter 6 Topic development
SPEAK
© 2011 Cengage Learning
In this chapter, you will learn how to locate and evaluate a variety of information types and sources, identify and select relevant information, and cite key sources appropriately in your speech.
12/17/2015 10:47 AM
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.
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The mind is
© 2011 Cengage Learning
Get the facts, or the facts will get you. And when you get 'em, get 'em right, or they will get you wrong.
~Thomas Fuller
Learning Outcomes:
1. What are the differences between primary and secondary research?
2. Where can you locate information for your speech?
3. How will you evaluate information and sources?
4. How will you select and record relevant information for your speech?
5. How and why do you cite sources in a speech?
12/17/2015 10:47 AM
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.
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Locate & Evaluate Information Sources
Evidence
Primary research
Secondary research
© 2011 Cengage Learning
Evidence is essentially any information that clarifies, explains, or otherwise adds depth or breadth to a topic.
You can find evidence related to your specific speech goal first by assessing your own knowledge, experience, and personal observations. Then you can move to secondary research.
If the information you find from secondary sources is insufficient and doesn’t answer all of the questions you are seeking answers for, you may need to conduct primary research.
Action Step 3 Gather and Evaluate Information:
Examine what you know already and areas where you need additional information
Locate, evaluate, and select a variety of information types and sources
Prepare research cards
Cite sources
Locate & Evaluate Information Sources
Evidence – any information that clarifies, explains, or otherwise adds depth or breadth to a topic
Primary research—the process of collecting data about your topic directly from the real world (your personal knowledge & experience)
Secondary research – the process of locating information that has been discovered by other people
12/17/2015 10:47 AM
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.
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Primary Research
© 2011 Cengage Learning
Fieldwork observations
Surveys
Interviews
Original artifacts or document examinations
Experiments
When there is little secondary research available on your topic or on a main idea you want to develop in your speech, or when you wonder whether what you are reading about is true in a particular setting, primary research may be necessary.
Fieldwork observations
Surveys
Interviews
Original artifact or document examinations
Experiments are all types of primary research.
Be aware, however, that primary research is much more labor intensive and time consuming than secondary research.
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Secondary Research Sources
Encyclopedias
Books
Newspaper & periodical articles
Statistical sources
Biographies
Quotation books & websites
Government documents
© 2011 Cengage Learning
As you conduct your search for secondary sources, you’ll want to draw from a variety of types. You can find pertinent information in encyclopedias, books, articles in academic journals and magazines, newspapers, statistical sources, biographies, quotation books and websites, and government documents.
The textbook provides many specific examples of encyclopedias, electronic databases, biographies, books of quotations, and similar references.
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Determining & Evaluating Source Value
Determining Source Value
Skimming
Reading
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Evaluating
Criteria to use to
determine accuracy,
reliability & validity of
sources are:
Authority
Objectivity
Currency
Relevance
Because your search of secondary sources is likely to uncover far more information than you can use, you will want to skim sources or read abstracts of source material to determine whether or not to read them in full. Skimming material or reading abstracts can help you decide which sources are likely to be useful.
Determining & Evaluating Source Value
Skimming: rapidly going through a work to determine what is covered & how
Reading the abstract: a short paragraph summarizing research findings
Not all source material is equally accurate, reliable, and valid. The first test of a resource is the expertise of its author and/or the reputation of the publishing or sponsoring organization. You will also want to be wary of information that is overly biased.
In addition, be aware that newer information is generally more accurate than older data. And be sure to use only information that is directly related to your topic and supports your main points.
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Guidelines for Conducting Interviews
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Select the best person
Prepare the interview protocol/questions
Conduct the interview
Process the interview
Guidelines for conducting Interviews:
Select the best person
Prepare the interview protocol/questions:
Primary questions: lead-in questions about one of the major topics of the interview, typically related to the main points for the speech.
Secondary questions: are follow-up questions designed to probe the answers given to primary questions.
Open questions: broad-based probes that ask the interviewee to provide perspective, ideas, information, or opinions as he or she wishes.
Closed questions: narrowly focused and require very brief (one- or two-word) answers.
Neutral questions: questions phrased in ways that do not direct a person’s answers.
3. Conduct the interview
Dress professionally, be prompt, and be courteous
Ask permission to record, listen carefully, and keep the interview moving
Monitor your nonverbal reactions
Get permission to quote
Confirm credentials, end on time, and thank the interviewee
4. Process the interview
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A Good Interview Involves…
© 2011 Cengage Learning
Rapport building (opener)
Primary questions
Secondary questions
Open questions
Closed questions
Neutral questions
Leading question
SEE Exhibit 6.1 (page 75) for sample interview questions
A Good Interview Involves the Following:
Build rapport
Primary questions lead-in question about one of the major topics of the interview, typically related to the main points for the speech
Secondary questions follow-up questions designed to probe the answers given to primary questions
Open questions broad-based questions that ask the interviewee to provide perspective, ideas, information, or opinions
Closed questions narrowly focused questions that require only very brief answers (yes/no)
Neutral questions are phrased n ways that do not direct a person’s answers
Leading questions are questions phrased in a way that suggests the interviewer has a preferred answer
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Identify & Select Relevant Information
© 2011 Cengage Learning
Factual statements
Statistics, examples, definitions
Expert opinions
Elaborations
Anecdotes and narratives
Comparisons and contrasts
Quotations
Factual statements are those that can be verified. Statistics are numerical facts. Examples are specific instances that illustrate or explain a general factual statement. A definition is a statement that clarifies the meaning of a word or phrase.
Expert opinions are interpretations and judgments made by authorities in a particular subject area. They can help explain what facts mean or put them in perspective.
Elaborations:
Anecdotes are brief, often amusing stories
Narratives are accounts, personal experiences, tales, or lengthier stories.
Comparisons illuminate a point by showing similarities
Contrasts highlight differences.
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Guidelines for Using Statistics
© 2011 Cengage Learning
Use only statistics you can verify to be reliable & valid
Use only recent statistics
Use statistics comparatively
Use statistics sparingly
Remember that statistics can be biased
Statistical statements can provide impressive support for a point, but when they are poorly used in a speech, they may be boring and, in some instances, downright deceiving. These guidelines can help you use statistics effectively and ethically.
Guidelines for Using Statistics
Use only statistics you can verify to be reliable and valid.
Use only recent statistics so your audience will not be misled.
Use statistics comparatively.
Use statistics sparingly.
Remember that statistics are biased.
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© 2011 Cengage Learning
Learn, compare, collect the facts!... Always have the courage to say to yourself – I am ignorant. ~ Ivan Petrovich Pavlov
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