| abstract | a summary of key information.
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| abstract words | words that name qualities, concepts, relationships, acts, conditions, and ideas.
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| adaptation | adjusting one's material and delivery to meet listeners' needs.
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| adrenaline | a hormone, triggered by stress, that stimulates the heart, lungs, and muscles and prepares the body for "fright, flight, or fight."
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| agenda | a document listing what is to be accomplished during a meeting.
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| alliteration | the repetition of the beginning sounds of words.
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| analogy | the resemblance in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
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| anecdote | a short account of an incident.
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| animation | a moving sequence of images or frames.
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| antithesis | the balanced juxtaposition of two contrasting ideas.
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| articulation | the act of producing vocal sounds.
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| attack on a person | criticizing an opponent rather than the opponent's argument.
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| attention material | the part of the introduction designed to capture audience interest.
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| attitude | a predisposition to respond favorably or unfavorably toward a person or idea.
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| audience analysis | collecting information about audience characteristics.
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| audience-centered speaker | one who tries to establish a meaningful connection with listeners.
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| average | a single value that represents the general significance of a set of unequal values.
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| bar graph | a visual that contrasts two or more sets of data by means of parallel rectangles of varying lengths.
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| blog | a frequently updated online log.
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| brainstorming | generating many ideas quickly and uncritically.
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| bridge | a transitional device that links what went before with the next part of a speech.
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| build | a dramatic process in which words or graphics are added one part at a time.
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| building on an unproven assumption | treating an opinion that is open to question as if it were already proved.
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| causal pattern | a scheme that links outcomes (effects) and the reasons for them (causes).
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| central idea | the key concept of a speech.
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| channel | the pathway used to transmit a message.
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| chronological pattern | an arrangement of information in a time sequence.
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| citation | the basic facts about a source.
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| clarifying question | a question designed to clear up confusion.
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| cliché | an overused word or phrase.
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| clincher | a final statement in a speech that drives home the key concept of the speech.
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| closed question | a question requiring only a short, specific response.
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| comparative-advantages pattern | an organizational scheme that shows the superiority of one concept or approach over another.
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| comparison | showing how two or more items are alike.
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| complete-sentence outline | a systematic arrangement of ideas, using complete sentences for headings and subheadings.
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| concrete words | words that name persons and things that we can know by our five senses.
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| connotation | the emotional overtones of a word that go beyond a dictionary definition.
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| contrast | showing how two or more items are different.
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| copyright infringement | the unauthorized use of legally protected material.
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| correlation | the degree of relative correspondence between two sets of data.
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| credibility | audience perception of a speaker as believable, trustworthy, and competent.
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| customize | to make or alter to a customer's specifications.
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| deduction | reasoning from a generalization to a specific conclusion.
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| definition | a statement of the meaning of a word or phrase.
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| definition speech | an oral presentation that gives an extended explanation of a concept.
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| denotation | the thing or idea to which a word refers.
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| description speech | an oral presentation that describes a person, place, object, or event.
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| discussion forum | a message center for people with a common interest.
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| domain | a group of computers on a network that operate under common rules.
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| doublespeak | language that is designed to confuse or to be misunderstood.
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| either-or fallacy | presenting only two alternatives when in fact more exist.
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| entertaining speech | an oral address designed to amuse or engage listeners.
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| ethnocentrism | judging other cultures as inferior to one's own culture.
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| eulogy | a laudatory oration in honor of someone who has died.
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| euphemism | a mild, indirect, or vague word used in place of one that is harsh, blunt, or offensive.
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| evidence | the facts, examples, statistics, testimony, and other information that support an assertion.
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| example | an instance that serves to illustrate a point.
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| expert site | a Web site offering expertise on requested topics.
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| expository speech | an oral report that explains a concept or situation.
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| extemporaneous method | the delivery of a speech from notes, following extensive preparation and rehearsal.
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| extended definition | a rich, full explanation of the meaning of a term.
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| fair use | allowable and reasonable exceptions to copyright rules.
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| fallacy | an argument based on a false inference.
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| false analogy | creating a comparison that is exaggerated or erroneous.
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| false cause | assuming that because two events are related in time, the first caused the second.
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| feedback | verbal and nonverbal responses made by a listener to a speaker.
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| field research | the first-hand gathering of information.
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| flip chart | a large book consisting of blank sheets (hinged at the top) that can be flipped over to present information sequentially.
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| flowchart | a diagram that shows a step-by-step progression through a procedure or system.
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| follow-up question | a question designed to stimulate elaboration.
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| full text | every word of a document.
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| general purpose | the broad objective of a speech.
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| handout | material distributed to an audience as part of a speaker's presentation.
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| hasty generalization | a conclusion that is based on inadequate evidence and is too broad to be fair.
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| hearing | the process by which sound waves are received by the ear.
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| hidden agenda | an ulterior motive.
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| high resolution | possessing great detail.
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| hyperlink | a highlighted word or picture that when clicked transports you to another place within a document or to another Web site.
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| hypothetical illustration | an imaginary scenario that illuminates a point.
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| hypothetical narrative | an imaginary story related to help listeners visualize a potential situation.
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| imagery | words that evoke mental pictures or images.
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| impromptu method | speaking with little or no preparation.
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| induction | reasoning from specific evidence to a general conclusion.
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| infinitive | a verb form beginning with "to"
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| inflated language | words designed to puff up the importance of the person or thing being described.
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| information chart | text material arranged as a series of key points.
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| inspirational speech | an address that tries to stimulate listeners to a high level of feeling or activity.
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| interference | anything that obstructs accurate communication of a message.
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| interlibrary loan | the sharing of materials and services among libraries.
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| internal summary | a concise review of material covered during the body of a speech.
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| Internet | a vast network of networks, linking computers throughout the world.
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| intonation | the use of changing pitch to convey meaning.
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| jargon | the technical language of a group or profession.
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| keyword | a word looked for in a search command.
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| line graph | a visual consisting of lines (charted on a grid) that show trends.
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| listener | the receiver of the speaker's message.
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| listening | the act of interpreting and evaluating what is being said.
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| low resolution | lacking fine detail.
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| main points | key assertions made by a speaker to develop his or her central idea.
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| manuscript method | the delivery of a speech by reading a script.
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| Maslow's hierarchy of needs | a ranking of human needs from simple to complex.
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| mean | in a set of numbers, the sum of all figures divided by the number of figures.
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| median | the number that falls in the middle of a numerical ranking.
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| message | whatever is communicated verbally and nonverbally to the listener.
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| metaphor | a comparison implying similarity between two things.
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| minutes | the written record of what occurred at a meeting.
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| mixed metaphor | incongruously combined metaphors.
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| mode | the figure that appears most frequently in a set of figures.
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| motivated sequence | a series of steps designed to propel a listener toward accepting the speaker's proposition.
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| motivations | the impulses and needs that stimulate a person to act in a certain way.
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| narrative | a story that illustrates a point.
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| nonverbal communication | the transmission of messages without words.
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| open question | a question that permits a broad range of responses.
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| opinion | a conclusion or judgment that remains open to dispute, but seems true to one's own mind.
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| oral footnote | a spoken citation of the source of one's material.
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| organization chart | a diagram showing the hierarchical structure of personnel.
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| orienting material | the part of the introduction that gives listeners the information they need to fully understand and believe the rest of the speech.
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| overt-response question | a question asked to elicit a direct, immediate reply.
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| panel discussion | the consideration of a topic by a small group in the presence of an audience.
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| parallel language | equivalent grammatical forms to express equivalent ideas.
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| parallel structure | equivalent grammatical forms used to express ideas of equal importance.
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| paraphrase | to restate material, using different words.
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| percentage | a rate or proportion per hundred.
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| persuasion | the process of influencing or changing attitudes, beliefs, values, or behaviors.
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| pictorial graph | a visual that dramatizes statistical data by means of pictorial forms.
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| pie graph | a circle showing a given whole that is divided into component wedges.
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| pitch | the highness or lowness of a sound.
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| plagiarism | stealing the ideas or words of another and passing them off as one's own.
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| positive imagery | the act of visualizing successful actions.
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| positive nervousness | useful energy.
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| posture | the position of your body as you sit or stand.
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| preview | a preliminary look at the highlights of a speech.
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| problem-solution pattern | an arrangement of information that explores a problem and then offers a solution.
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| process speech | an oral presentation that analyzes how to do something or how something works.
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| progressive revelation | the piece-by-piece unveiling of a visual.
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| pronunciation | the correct way of speaking a word.
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| public domain | what is owned by the community at large; unprotected by patent or copyright.
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| quote verbatim | to cite the exact words used by a source.
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| reasoning | using logic to draw conclusions from evidence.
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| red herring | diverting listeners from the real issue to an irrelevant matter.
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| reference librarian | a specialist in information retrieval.
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| reflective-thinking method | a structured system for solving problems.
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| repetition | repeating words or phrases for emotional effect.
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| rhetorical question | a question asked solely to stimulate interest and not to elicit a reply.
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| royalty-free | devoid of restrictions or fees.
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| scapegoat | an individual or group that innocently bears the blame of others.
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| search engine | a service that lets you search for keywords on Web pages throughout the world.
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| self-actualization | the need of humans to make the most of their abilities.
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| sex-related stereotype | a generalization that assigns roles or characteristics to people on the basis of gender.
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| sexist language | words based on gender stereotypes.
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| signpost | an explicit statement of the place that a speaker has reached.
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| simile | a comparison, using like and as, of otherwise dissimilar things.
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| situation | the setting in which communication takes place.
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| slide | the basic "page" in PowerPoint.
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| spatial pattern | an arrangement of information in terms of physical space, such as top to bottom.
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| speaker | the originator of a message sent to a listener.
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| speaking notes | brief reminders of the points a speaker plans to cover during a speech.
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| specific purpose | the precise goal that a speaker wants to achieve.
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| speech of acceptance | oral remarks made by the recipient of an award or honor.
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| speech of introduction | a brief talk that introduces a speaker to an audience.
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| speech of presentation | an address designed to formally present an award or honor.
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| speech of refutation | an oral counterargument against a concept or proposition put forth by others.
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| speech of tribute | an oration in praise of someone or something.
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| speech to motivate action | an oral presentation that tries to impel listeners to take action.
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| spotlight | a device that alerts listeners to important points.
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| statement-of-reasons pattern | a variation of the topical pattern in which a speaker gives reasons for an idea.
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| statistics | numerical facts assembled to present significant information about a subject.
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| stereotype | an oversimplified mental picture.
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| straw man | a weak opponent or dubious argument set up so it can be easily defeated.
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| subject directory | a list of Web sites categorized by subject.
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| summarize | to give the substance of a statement in condensed form.
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| support material | evidence that illustrates or substantiates a point.
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| syllogism | a deductive scheme consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
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| symposium | a meeting featuring short addresses by different people on the same topic.
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| table | numbers or words arranged systematically in rows and columns.
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| taboo | an act, word, or object that is forbidden on grounds of morality or taste.
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| testimonial | a statement supporting a benefit received.
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| testimony | a statement by a knowledgeable person, used by a speaker to explain or bolster a point.
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| thumbnail | a reduced image.
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| topic outline | a systematic arrangement of ideas, using words and phrases for headings and subheadings.
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| topical pattern | a division of a topic into components, types, or reasons.
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| transition | an expression that links ideas and shows the relationship between them.
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| transparency | clear sheets on which visuals are drawn or printed, and then viewed by light shining from an overhead projector.
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| verbal fillers | vocalized pauses in which a speaker inserts sounds such as "uh."
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| visual presenter | a device capable of producing images of both two- and three-dimensional objects.
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| vivid image | a description that evokes a lifelike picture within the mind of the listener.
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| vlog | a frequently updated video log.
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| Web page | the file you see on the screen when you are visiting a Web site.
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| Web site | any location on the World Wide Web.
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| World Wide Web | a global Internet system for delivering and displaying documents that may contain images, sound, and video as well as text.
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