SPE 108The Informative Speech

Characteristics of the Informative

Speech•designed to convey

knowledge and understanding

•you act as a lecturer or teacher

•you absorb knowledge, and then communicate that knowledge effectively

Who makes informative speeches?• a business manager

explaining next year’s budget

• a teacher teaching a lesson

• a military officer briefing subordinates

• a union leader describing a new contract

• the church worker organizing a fundraiser

Three criteria:

•Is the information communicated accurately?

•Is the information communicated clearly?

•Is the information made meaningful and interesting to the audience?

Types of SpeechesSpeeches about Objects: anything that is visible, tangible and in stable form

•places, people, structures, animals

•must choose a specific purpose about this object for the speech

•How an object is used, what is a feature of the object, why is the object important?

•Topical order

Types of Speeches

Speeches about Processes

• This speech answers the HOW

• purpose: so the audience understands the process better

• chronological order or topical order?

Types of Speeches

Speeches about Events

• civil rights movement, figure skating, Cinco de Mayo, ADD

• chronological order, causal order (working from cause to effect), topical order

Types of Speeches

Speeches about Concepts

• Beliefs, theories, ideas, principles

• topical order

The audience

•Don’t over estimate what your audience knows

•relate subject to the audience

•don’t be too technical

•avoid abstractions (be specific)

•personalize your ideas