Which type of audience is hostile to the speaker and the topic?

• A. Opposed audience
• B. Favorable audience
• C. Neutral audience
• D. Audiences vary

Answer: (A)

In persuasive speaking, audiences can fall along a spectrum of attitudes. An opposed audience is listeners who are hostile toward both the speaker and the topic. They come in with strong objections, preconceived judgments, and resistance, and they may challenge what you say or dismiss your evidence. When addressing an opposed audience, the goal is to establish credibility, acknowledge their concerns, present solid, well-sourced evidence, and address objections calmly to reduce resistance. This differs from a favorable audience, which already agrees, and a neutral audience, which is undecided and more open to persuasion. The idea that audiences vary suggests mixed attitudes rather than a single hostile group.