Chapter 10

Illustrations Story or anecdote example of

▪ An idea, issue, or problem being discussed

▪ Brief Illustrations▪ A sentence or two to drive home a point

▪ Extended Illustrations▪ Like a short story

▪ Hypothetical Illustrations▪ Situations or events that haven’t actually occurred▪ “Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island”

Illustrations Using illustrations effectively▪ Relevance to subject being supported▪ Should represent a trend▪ Avoid illustrations using rare instances

▪ Vivid & specific▪ Don’t drag out using too many details

Illustrations Using illustrations effectively▪ Listeners should identify with▪ Human drama, triumph, pain, joy etc.

▪ Personal ones are best▪ A personal story that can be an illustration

Powerful effect on the audience "Overcoming personal challenge" "Impact of a personal decision"

Descriptions & Explanations▪ Most commonly used form of support

Describing▪ To produce word pictures▪ Appeal to audience senses

Explaining how▪ When discussing a process▪ How a jury is selected

Explaining Why▪ Provide reason or consequences of something

Descriptions and Explanations Using them effectively▪ Keep them brief▪ If too long, will bore audience

▪ Use specific and concrete language▪ To keep info lively & interesting

▪ Avoid too much▪ Too much of the same becomes boring

Definitions▪ Use to clarify uncommon terms

Definitions by Classification▪ From a reference book/dictionary

Operational Definitions▪ Explaining how something worksor what it does

Definitions Using Them Effectively▪ Use definitions when needed▪ Not as time filler or for common terms

▪ Be certain there understandable▪ Avoid definitions that leave audience confused

▪ Make definitions consistent with use in speech▪ These two nations will never be friendly their amity goes back centuries

Analogies▪ Comparison used to increase understanding

Literal Analogies▪ Comparison between two similar things

Figurative Analogies▪ Comparison between two seemingly different things▪ Simile▪ Metaphor

Analogies Using analogies effectively▪ Make sure things compared literally are similar▪ The different eras of recession, ▪ Artists or entertainers with similar styles

▪ Similarity in figurative comparisons should be apparent▪ The workplace was a seething snake pit…

Statistics▪ Use of numbers to define a fact

Using statistics as support▪ Use 3 or 4 brief examples to be effective

Statistics Using statistics effectively▪ Using reliable sources▪ Reputable – Gov. organizations, research reports, etc▪ Authoritative – Primary sources -> secondary sources▪ Unbiased – Sources not associated with special interest groups

▪ Interpret statistics accurately▪ The population of native American students has increased over 3oo % in just the last 3 semesters

Statistics▪ Round off numbers▪ If statistics have odd numbers, round them off for audience ▪ 2,003,456 -> 2,000,000

▪ Use visuals to present your statistics▪ Use graphs, tables, charts, etc▪ This will help audience recall or relate to the statistics you are sharing

Opinions▪ Statements from people regarding ideas or topics

Expert Testimony▪ Opinion or statement from an expert in a given field

Lay Testimony▪ The statement or opinion of the average person

Literary quotations▪ Quote from an article or book

Opinions Using opinions effectively▪ Cited authority should be expert on subject▪ Identify sources▪ Cite unbiased authorities▪ Cite opinions that represent mass opinion▪ Quote sources accurately▪ Use literary quotations sparingly