Informative
Speaking
Essentials of
Public Speaking
Cheryl Hamilton
5th Edition
Chapter
11
Cheryl Hamilton, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11 – Informative Speaking
1.1
Key Ideas
 Define an informative presentation
 How informative speaking differs from
persuasive speaking
 Tools to aid understanding and memory
 Steps and strategies of informative speech
preparation
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11 – Informative Speaking
1.2
Flashback . . .
When a boat moves at full steam, it continues
moving in the same direction—even when the crew
stops rowing. Right?
Cicero believed that careful writing of an
introduction caused the speech that followed (even
when extemporaneous) to “proceed in unchanging
style.” (De Oratore, Book I, Section XXXIII)
Question: Is this advice still good for today’s
speaker?
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.3
What is an Informative Speech?




Promotes understanding of an idea
Conveys a body of related facts
Demonstrates how to do something
Difference between informative and
persuasive speaking
– Goal of informative speaking is understanding
instruction and teaching
– Goal of persuasive speaking is to gain agreement sell
a product or encourage action
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Chapter 11 – Informative Speaking
1.4
What Effective Informative Speakers Do
 Present information in a truthful, fair and
objective manner
 Avoids exaggerated, embellished, or
distorted facts
 Designs visuals that represent facts and
relationships without distortion
 Expresses Ideas and concepts are clear and
easy to understand
 Uses tack to allow audience to retain
feelings of self-worth
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Chapter 11 – Informative Speaking
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Demonstration speech

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Promotes a skill (making or doing)
Shows how to accomplish a task step-by-step
Visual aids clarify the development of a skill
Supporting materials add interest clarification
and proof
 Organizational format best meets the needs of
the audience
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.6
Informational Speech
 Introduces latest information about a topic
 Promotes understanding (knowing) of a
complicated idea, term or concept
 Focuses on content & ideas, not on a
demonstration
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.7
Tools to Aid Understanding and
memory




Definition
Description
Explaination
Narration
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.8
Aiding Understanding: Definition
 An explicit statement to clarify an unclear or
complicated term, concept or process.
 Often followed by the following:
– A comparison or contrast
– One or two examples
– A synonym (word with similar meaning)
– An antonym (word with opposite meaning)
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.9
Aiding Understanding: Description
 Painting a vivid, detailed picture using
concrete words and figures of speech, such
as:
– Similes—using the word like or as.
– Metaphors—implied comparisons (avoid like or as)
– Onomatopoeia—words that sound like their meaning.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.10
Aiding Understanding: Explaination
 A statement about the relationship between
items:
– Often answers how, what, & why.
– If topic complex, begin with the “big picture.”
– If audience likely to be skeptical, begin with why
belief seems plausible (but really isn’t).
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
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Aiding Understanding: Narration
 A story told with detail and enthusiasm
(about real or imagined things, people, or
events)
 Characterizes of a good narrative
– Fidelity: story rings true.
– Probability: story is easy to follow & makes sense.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.12
Tips to Aid Memory

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Begin the speech with an attention-getter
Use acronyms and other mnemonic devices
Repeat information often
Join the audience in reflecting on a situation
or problem
 Get your audience involved in answering
questions
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.13
Tips to Aid Memory
 Use emotional appeals
 Relate new information to information the
audience knows
 Use visuals
 Compare ideas to audience experiences
 Encourage the audience to share what they
have learned
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.14
Preparing An Informative Speech

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Analyze audience
Determine topic, purpose & main points
Rough-out an outline
Look for quality supporting materials
Determine how to best organize main points
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.15
Preparing An Informative Speech



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Plan Introduction and Conclusion
Make preparation outline
Prepare visual aids
Practice physically and technologically
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.16
Analyze the Audience
 Situational characteristics
 Demographic Characteristics
 Psychological characteristics
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.17
Selecting a Topic
 Fits requirements of assignment.
 Showcases your experience & knowledge
 Stimulates your own interests.
 Will interest & motivate your audience
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.18
Determine the Exact Purpose
 Narrow your topic
 Write out exact purpose as follows:
After hearing my speech the audience
will . . .
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.19
Prepare Rough Draft Outline
 List of possible main points
 Supporting information
 Do rough draft outline before doing research
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.20
Look for Quality Supporting Materials
 Look for a variety of supporting materials
 Look for printed as well as electronic materials
 When appropriate conduct personal interview to
get personal experiences
 Your task
– Provide maximum amount of information
– Present information in shortest amount of time
– Make information clear, interesting and believable
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.21
Organizing Main Points
 Topical
 Chronological
 Spatial or Geographical
 Causal
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.22
Topical Outline Example
Title: Ways to stay healthy
I.
II.
III.
Making good food choices
Exercising daily
Getting enough sleep
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.23
Topical Outline Example
Title: Ways to stay healthy
I.
II.
III.
Making good food choices
Exercising daily
Getting enough sleep
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.24
Chonological Outline Example
Title: Staying heathly at any age
I.
II.
III.
IV.
What children can do to stay healthy
What youth can do to stay heathy
What adults can do to stay healthy
What senior citizen can to so stay healthy
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Causal Outline Example
Title: Not taking care of your body
I.
II.
Cause: Many people have poor health
habits and simply do not take care of their
body.
Effect: Two major effects can result from
not taking care of your body. These are
heart disease and stroke.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.26
Plan Introduction and Conclusion
 Begin with an attention-getter
 End the speech by using a memorable
attention-getter that makes the audience
think
 Make sure humor is not negative
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Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.27
Prepare Preparation Outline
 Polish preparation outline
– Avoid writing out word for word
– Ensure main points and supporting materials have
clarity, are significant and accurate
– Check preparation outline carefully for plagiarism
 Polish speaking notes
– Brief with key words
– Underline or use color for important words
– Include action notes and cues for visuals
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.28
Prepare Preparation Outline
 Polish preparation outline
– Avoid writing out word for word
– Ensure main points and supporting materials have
clarity, are significant and accurate
– Check preparation outline carefully for plagiarism
 Reduce outline to speaking notes
– Brief with key words
– Underline or use color for important words
– Include action notes and cues for visuals
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.29
Prepare Visual Aids
 Make sure visuals don’t distract
 Make sure it takes no more than 3-6 seconds
to comprehend PowerPoint slides
 Make sure titles are one line only
 Check graphic slides for grouping of data
 Check graphic slides to ensure gridlines are
removed
 Check to see if you have the appropriate
number of slides for presentation length
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.30
Practice Physically and Technologically
 Practice standing up using your speaking
notes
 Practice alone then with family and friends
 Make sure your voice is loud enough
 Make sure the speech flows well and
language is simple, brief and vivid
 Practice with your PowerPoint slides and
other equipment you may use
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11– Informative Speaking
1.31
Informative
Speaking
Essentials of
Public Speaking
Cheryl Hamilton
5th Edition
Chapter
11
Cheryl Hamilton, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning
Chapter 11 – Informative Speaking
1.32