In selecting a topic, it is important to consider if the topic is difficult to explain given the available time

Dana opens her speech against abortion by putting up a transparency that shows a graphic image of an aborted fetus. Is this an effective opening?

a. No; she should have opened with a verbal, rather than a visual attention getter. b. No; this type of graphic material may disgust and repel the audience. c. Yes; this was startling and vivid and got the audience's attention. d. Yes; this type of visual attention getter does a good job of establishing speaker credibility.

In his speech on the effects of Hurricane Katrina, James incorporates the story of a fictional family throughout his speech to help draw his audience in emotionally. This would be an example of a(n): a. personal testimony

b. expert testimony. c. brief narrative. d. extended narrative.