Informative Speech

Presentations that have the goal of increasing others’ knowledge,

understanding, or abilities.

Types of Informative Speeches

Type Sample specific purpose

Demonstration To show listeners how to construct an outline

Instruction To teach listeners how to perform CPR

Description To describe the people and land of Nepal

Explanation To explain why (or how) hurricanes form

Briefing To summarize the results of our new marketing strategy

Reporting To provide detailed information on the results of our new marketing strategy

Informative vs Persuasive Speaking

1. Persuasive speeches tend to have more controversial purposes.

2. Persuasive speeches seek more powerful responses from listeners.

3. Persuasive speeches require greater degrees of proof.

4. Persuasive speeches require earning greater amounts of credibility.

Importance of Credibility

• A speaker has credibility when the listeners are convinced the speaker has: Knowledge Goodwill toward

them Trustworthiness

• In general credibility is more important for a speaker attempting to change people than a speaker who seeks to inform them.

Design Your Speech to Enhance Learning and Retention

• Limit the information you present.

• Move from familiar to unfamiliar.

• Repeat important ideas. Repetition is a powerful way to increase

retention.

Involve Listeners

• Call for direct participation.

• Ask rhetorical questions.

• Poll listeners.

• Refer to specific listeners.

Guidelines for Effective Informative Speaking

1. Provide listeners with a clear thesis statement.

2. Connect with listeners’ values and experiences.

3. Motivate listeners to want information.

4. Incorporate diverse perspectives.

5. Organize so listeners can follow easily.

6. Design your speech to enhance learning and retention.

7. Involve listeners.

8. Use effective and ethical supporting materials.

Informative Speech Outline

General Purpose:

Specific Purpose:

________________________________________

Introduction

A. Attention Device

B. Motivation for listening

C. Thesis statement

D. Preview of speech

Transition to body of speech

Body

I. First main point

A. Supporting material

B. Supporting material

C. Transition

II. Second main point

A. Supporting material

B. Supporting material

C. Transition

III. Third main point

A. Supporting material

B. Supporting material

C. Transition

You may haveonly two mainpoints.

You may have more than two kinds of supportingmaterial for main points.

Conclusion

A. Summary of main points

B. Strong closing statement

References

• Cite all sources

• Follow appropriate style guidelines MLA, APA, or CBE

Experiencing Communication in our Lives . . .

Discuss the following speech using material presented in Chapter 16.