Which term refers to introductory statements that forecast what the audience may expect?

• A. Allegory
• B. Advance organizer
• C. Agenda
• D. After-dinner speech

Answer: (B)

Introductory statements that forecast what the audience may expect are called advance organizers. They’re brief remarks at the start of a talk or lesson that outline the purpose, the main topics, or the outcomes. This preview helps listeners orient themselves, connect new information to what they already know, and know what to pay attention to as the message unfolds. For example, a speaker might say, “Today we’ll look at three trends in the market, why they matter, and practical steps you can take,” which gives the audience a roadmap for what’s coming and how the ideas will fit together.

Allegory is a symbolic narrative with a deeper moral meaning, not a device for forecasting what will be discussed. An agenda is a plan or list of topics and times for a meeting or speech, which can indicate what will be covered but is usually a written outline rather than the introductory forecasting remarks that guide comprehension during a talk. An after-dinner speech is simply a type of speech delivered after a meal, not specifically about setting audience expectations for the content to follow.