Chapter Fourteen Informative Speaking. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.14...

Chapter Fourteen

Informative Speaking

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 14 - 2

Chapter Goals

• Understand the functions of informative speaking

• Learn the types of informative speeches and how to develop them

• Apply psychological principles to help listeners learn

• Arrange information for maximum effectiveness

• Respond to the special challenge of informative speaking


Sharing knowledge– and thus, sharing power –

is the essence of informative speaking


Functions of Informative Speaking

• Can empower listeners by giving them new ideas and skills

• Can shape listener perceptions

• Can help set the agenda of public concerns

• Can clarify options for action


Preparing To Speak Informatively

• Is my topic significant enough to merit an informative speech?

• What do my listeners already know about my topic?

• What more do they need to know?

• Do I understand my topic well enough to help others understand it?


The Ethics of Informative Speaking

• Be sure you can ethically defend your choice of topic• Mention all major positions on a topic when there are

differing perspectives• Present all information on a topic that is important for

audience understanding• Do not distort information that is necessary for

audience understanding• Do sufficient research to speak responsibly on your

subject• Do not omit relevant information that may be

inconsistent with your position• Strive to be as objective as possible


Types of Informative Speeches

• Description

• Demonstration

• Explanation

• Briefings


Briefings

• Be Brief

• Be Organized

• Rely heavily on supporting materials

• Adapt your language to your audience

• Present your message with confidence

• Be prepared to answer tough questions


Motivating Listeners to LearnWill your speech …

• help them understand and control the world around them?

• satisfy their curiosity?

• improve their health, safety, or general well-being?

• give them a sense of making a contribution by caring for others?

• help them establish better relations with family and friends?

• give them a sense of accomplishment and achievement?

• contribute to the restoration of moral balance and fairness in the world?

• provide them with enjoyment?

Special Tactics for Special Audiences

• Interested but uninformed

• Interested and knowledgeable

• Uninterested

• Unsympathetic (toward topic)

• Distrustful (of speaker)



• Interested but uninformed– Basic information

– Avoid jargon

– Use examples

– Use analogies, metaphors & aides

– Focus on voice, gestures & eye contact



• Interested and knowledgeable– Establish credibility early

– Acknowledge diverse perspectives

– Go in depth

– Focus on content and being an “engaging” presenter



• Uninterested– Show what’s in it for them

– Keep it short and to the point

– Use narratives and examples to arouse interest

– Use eye-catching presentation aides and colorful language

– Focus on dynamism



• Unsympathetic (toward topic)– Show respect for listeners’ point of

view

– Cite sources they respect

– Present information for understanding

– Use narratives and examples

– Focus on being warm and engaging



• Distrustful (of speaker)– Establish credibility early

– Rely on facts and expert testimony

– Cite your sources

– Be straightforward, businesslike and personable

– Keep good eye-contact



Sustaining Interest

• Intensity

• Repetition

• Novelty

• Activity

• Contrast

• Relevance


Informative Speech Designs

• Spatial

• Sequential

• Chronological

• Categorical

• Comparative

• Causation


Avoid Boring Your Audience

• Find a good topic

• Leave yourself time to research and prepare

• Develop an artful overall structure

• Add lively, striking content

• Make an energetic presentation

Chapter Fourteen Informative Speaking. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.14...

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