Which of the following describes how to address the chair when speaking during discussion?

• A. Speak calmly from the back of the room.
• B. Whisper to the secretary.
• C. Rise, address the chair, and be assigned the floor.
• D. Speak while the chair is speaking.

Answer: (C)

The right way to speak during discussion is to rise, address the chair, and be assigned the floor. This sequence signals to the presiding officer that you intend to speak and gives you formal recognition to address the assembly. It maintains orderly debate, with the chair controlling who has the floor and when. Other options don’t provide proper recognition or disrupt proceedings: speaking from the back of the room or whispering to someone else doesn’t indicate you’ve been recognized, and speaking while the chair is speaking interrupts the flow and is not allowed.