Informational Speeches:
The Introduction
The First Rule of Public
Speaking
“Tell them what you’re going to
tell them; tell them; tell them what
you’ve told them.”
4 Objectives for Introductions
• Get the attention and interest of your
audience
• Reveal the topic of your speech
• Establish your credibility
• Preview the body of the speech
Ways to Get the Attention &
Interest of Your Audience
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Relate the topic to the audience
State the importance of your topic
Startle the audience
Arouse the curiosity of the audience
Question the audience
Begin with a quotation
Tell a story
Reveal the Topic of Your
Speech
• Clearly state the topic of your speech
TOPIC
Establish Credibility and
Goodwill
• Help the audience know that you are
credible by:
• Giving personal examples
• Citing research
• Conducting interviews
As a cancer
survivor
myself…
According to
the Wall Street
Journal …
Dr. Fowler
once told me
that …
Establish Credibility and
Goodwill
• If your speech is controversial, you
should provide one or more solid
reason why others should consider
your point of view
Though you may
disagree with stem cell
research, I ask that you
consider the benefits
which include…
Preview the Body of the
Speech
• Provide your audience with 3-5 key
points that you will be discussing in
the body of your speech
Key Point #1
Key Point #2
Key Point #3
Tips for Dealing with
Nervousness
•
•
•
•
Prepare
Think positively
Visualize success
Understand that most nervousness is
not visible
• Don’t expect perfection
Tips for Dealing with
Nervousness
•
•
•
•
•
Before speaking, tighten and relax your leg
muscles or squeeze your hands together
and release them
Take a couple of slow, deep breaths
Work especially hard on your introduction.
Your anxiety level will begin to drop after
about 30 seconds.
Make eye contact
Use visual aids. They draw attention away
from you and make you less self-conscious.
Informative Speech Topics
The biography of your favorite actor
The history of comic books
How NBECHS was founded
The history of your hometown
History of a favorite product brand
Description of life in another country
The 3 branches of U.S. government
The Seven Wonders of the World
Disneyland
Roadside attractions
Evolution of video games
All about your favorite vacation spot
The newspaper business
Tattoos
Body Piercings
All about a favorite radio show
Comparison of different religions
Cruise vacations
Electric cars
Life in the future
Working in the fast food industry
Origins of superstitions
Computer viruses
Internet dating
Cults
Dyslexia
Impact of media on society
Branches of the military
Famous advertising campaigns
Nursing homes
Sports card collecting
The history of the Bible
Sales tactics
Censorship in history
America’s fastest growing cities
World War II heroes
Exotic pets
Ballroom dancing
Near death experiences
Identity theft
Evolution of voting laws
Natural disasters
Breeds of dogs
Dream interpretation
Drinking problems
Drug problems
The FBI
Advancements in education
Spies
Evolution of the English language
National Parks
Young billionaires
Former child stars
Obesity epidemic
The History of The PC
The History of the Internet
Blogs
Alternative Fuels
Internet Crimes
Chemical Warfare
The Reality Show Phenomenon
Herbs as Medicine
The History of Tobacco Use
Liposuction
DNA Evidence
Nanotechnology
Lasik Surgery
Informative Speech Topics
History of Transplants
First Woman Astronaut
History of Makeup
The Origin of Alphabets
Tsunamis
Cloning
Botox
Women in The Military
Childhood Obesity
Genetically Modified Crops
REM Sleep (Dreaming)
History of Smoking In Movies
Benefits of the internet
How the internet has harmed mankind
Global Warming
Civil Rights
Climate Change Policy
Depression
Dieting
Drunk Driving
Endangered Species
Fat Tax on Food
Foster Care
Fraud
Genetically Engineered Foods
Hate Crime
Health Care Policy
Home Schooling
Homeland Security
Homeless in America
Immigration
The effect of the internet on teens
Infectious Diseases
Facebook and teens
Inner City Poverty
Internet Chatrooms
Online addiction
Juvenile Crime
Marriage and Divorce
Media Violence
Minimum Wage
Missile Defense System
The computer in 10 years
Nuclear Technology
Racial Profiling
Rain Forests
Recycling
Religious Right
School Violence
Social Welfare
Space Exploration
Stem Cell Research
Tax Reform
Chat line addiction
Vaccinations
Violent Video Games
Voluntary National Testing
How Google affects our lives
War Crimes
War on Drugs
Water Resources
Welfare Reform
Come up with your own idea and have
it approved
Informational Speeches:
The Body of the Speech
Provide Examples
• Brief examples (also called specific
instances) used to illustrate a point.
• Extended example (story) used to
illustrate a point
• Hypothetical example (an imaginary
situation)
Examples
Brief Example:
The advancements made in technology over the past
10 years are evident in the fact that cell phones are
now capable of much more than those developed in
the early 90s; texting wasn’t even in our vernacular.
Extended Example:
It was 30 years ago when my life was turned upside
down. With the crashing of metal and shrill screaming,
I knew my life as a professional football player was
over. Two years later…
Hypothetical Example:
Imagine for a moment what life would be like if you
were a alien from another planet. What would you…
Use Imagery
• Concrete words that evoke images of
sights, sounds, touch, smell, or taste
• Simile (a comparison using the words
“like” or “as”)
• Metaphor (a comparison that does not
use the words “like” or “as”)
Examples Using Imagery
Concrete Words:
The crisp morning dew glittered in the warmth of the
rising sun….
Simile:
His anger was like a tsunami crashing against the
shores of Japan
Metaphor:
Socialism is a cancer that eats away at the very fabric
of a nation.
Rhythm
• Parallelism (the similar arrangement
of a pair or series of related words,
phrase, or sentences)
• Repetition (repeating the same word
or set of words)
• Alliteration (repeating the initial
consonant sound of words)
• Antithesis (contrasting ideas)
Examples Using Rhythm
Parallelism:
Young and old, happy and sad, listless and content –
life is full of contrasts.
Repetition:
The Bridge is a school. The Bridge is a community.
The Bridge is a family.
Alliteration:
Concern, caring, and charisma are characteristics of
capable congressmen.
Antithesis:
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what
you can do for your country.” -John F. Kennedy
Informational Speeches:
The Conclusion
Objectives for Conclusions
• Let the audience know that your
speech is about to end
• Reinforce 3 of the main points you
made in the body of your speech
• Make ‘em think
Ways to Let the Audience
Know Your Speech is Ending
In conclusion…
In summary…
In closing…
Let me end by
saying…
As I conclude, let
me reiterate…
My purpose has
been…
Overall…
Let me leave you
with…
Reinforce 3-5 Key Points
Key Point #1
Key Point #2
Key Point #3
Make ‘em Think
• End with a quotation
• Make a dramatic statement
• Refer back to the ideas from the
introduction
• Ask a rhetorical question
• Answer a question
• Show a benefit or valuable application
• Challenge the audience to take action
Tips for Conclusions
• Keep conclusions brief
• End well. Your conclusion is what
people will remember most.