Essentials of Human
Communication, 6/e
Chapter Twelve:
The
Informative
Speech
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Chapter Eleven Goals
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Use the principles of informative
speaking to construct speeches
Develop speeches of description,
definition, and demonstration
Effectively use presentation software
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Guidelines for Informative Speaking
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Limit the amount of information
Adjust the level of complexity
Stress relevance and usefulness
Relate new information to old
Make your speech easy to remember
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Using Supporting Materials
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Examples, illustrations, and narratives
Testimony
Statistics
Definitions
Etymology
 Authority
 Negation
 Direct Symbolization
 Operations
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Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Presentation Aids Help You:
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Gain attention and maintain interest
Add clarity
Reinforce your main ideas
Establish your credibility and
confidence
Reduce your apprehension
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Types of Visual Aids
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Actual model or replica
Models
Bar, column, or line graphs, pie
chart
Word Chart
Maps
People
Photographs and illustrations
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The Media of Presentation Aids
Chalkboards
 Chartboards
 Flip Charts
 Slides and Transparencies
 Audio and Videotapes,
CDs, and DVDs
 Handouts
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Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Preparing Presentation Aids
Use easily seen colors
Use direct phrases
Use the aid to highlight a few essentials points
Use easily read typefaces
Give the aid a title
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Using Presentation Aids
Know your aids intimately.
Pretest the presentation aids.
Rehearse your speech with the
presentation aids.
Integrate presentation aids into your
speech seamlessly.
Avoid talking to your aids.
Use your aids only when they’re
relevant.
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Ways of Using Presentation
Software
• Create slides to present
• Enables you to print a variety of materials
• Print slides with speaker notes
• Handouts
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
Suggestions for Designing Slides
•Use the templates provided by your software.
•Use consistent typeface, size, and color.
•Be brief.
• Use color contrast.
•Use only the visual aids your really need.
•Use transitions.
•Use sound effects.
•Use build effects.
•Use graphs and tables when appropriate.
•Anticipate questions.
•Use the spell-check.
•Anticipate technical problems.
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
The Speech of Description
Describes an object, event, process, or person
Strategies
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Use a spatial, topical, or
interrogative approach
Use a variety of categories
Use presentation aids
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
The Speech of Definition
Presentation of a new topic or old information in a new way
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Used to explain difficult or unfamiliar concepts
Used to make complex systems, theories, or principles
more clear and understandable
Strategies
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Use a variety of credible sources
Always work from the known to the unknown
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008
The Speech of Demonstration
Demonstrates how to do or operate
something in steps or sequence
Strategies
Use a temporal organizing
pattern
 Connect steps with transitions
 Begin with broad overview
 Use visual aids in sequence
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Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008