Michael Adams has been invited as a guest speaker for a seminar. Before his speech, the host of the seminar introduces him as, "Mr. Adams, whose brother is my favorite TV anchor, is the seminar’s guest speaker." In this case, the introduction given by the host of the seminar is an example of a(n) _____.

a. rhetorical question
b. marker
c. irrelevant association
d. alliteration


c. irrelevant association
In this case, the introduction given by the host of the seminar is an example of an irrelevant association. Irrelevant association is made when one person’s relationship to another is emphasized, even though that relationship is irrelevant to the point. For example, introducing a speaker as "Gladys Thompson, whose husband is CEO of Acme Inc., is the chairperson for this year’s United Way campaign" is inappropriate.

Communication & Mass Media

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Briefly explain the first five stages of Knapp's model of relationship development

What will be an ideal response?

Communication & Mass Media

Adam is 34 years old and returning to college for the first time in 14 years. Having

worked for several years, he thinks students need to become more aware of the importance of saving for retirement. Adam developed his specific purpose as "I want my audience to increase the amount of their paycheck they have diverted into a retirement plan." What is the principal flaw in this specific purpose? A) It needs to consider the specifics of the situation and audience. B) The actions specified for the audience are overly vague. C) It overestimates the potential benefits to the audience. D) It assumes gender uniformity in terms of investing behaviors.

Communication & Mass Media

Which conflict style has a high concern for group goals and a low concern for the member's personal goals?

a) Accommodating b) Collaborating c) Competing d) Avoiding e) Compromising

Communication & Mass Media

The conversational oral style is generally more appropriate for __________.

A. protest speeches B. formal sermons C. polished lectures D. presentations to small audiences

Communication & Mass Media