Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

The body of a speech is made up of ______________.

1. Main points, supports, and applications

2. Statistics and anecdotes

3. Introduction and conclusion

4. Visual aids and handouts

The correct answer is: Main points, supports, and applications

The body of a speech is fundamentally organized around the main points, supports, and applications. This structure allows the speaker to present key ideas clearly and effectively, providing the audience with a coherent framework to understand the message being conveyed. Main points act as the central themes or arguments of the speech, while supports, such as statistics, anecdotes, or cited research, provide evidence or illustrations to reinforce these points. Applications connect these ideas to real-life situations, helping the audience see the relevance and importance of the concepts discussed. Other options, while they may include elements that can complement a speech, do not constitute the body itself. Statistics and anecdotes are types of supports that can enrich main points but do not encompass the entire body. The introduction and conclusion frame the speech and provide context and closure rather than comprise the main content. Visual aids and handouts are supplementary materials that can enhance audience understanding but are not part of the body of the speech itself. Therefore, the correct choice captures the essential components that structure and develop the main content of a speech effectively.