INFORMATIVE SPEECH ASSIGNMENT
(Description, Narrative, Definition)
Speeches to inform cover a number of types of speeches but common to all is the general goal of providing
information to further the audience’s knowledge about the subject. You may choose to explain a term/concept,
acquaint the audience with your experience, background, personality, or aspirations or describe a person,
object or a place of significance.
Speeches of Description: The speaker’s goal is to provide a vivid portrait of the subject. Language is the key.
Create an image through specific vocabulary, sensory information, similes and metaphors to express the substance,
function and/or feeling associated with the subject of choice. Organizational patterns for you to consider are spatial and
topical.
Speeches of Definition: A speaker would offer information about terms or concepts that are characteristically
abstract and harder to understand. Consider new terms/concepts brought about by advances in technology and/or
changes in our society. Avoid the obvious terms/concepts with understandable meanings. A speech of definition
may provide new information or standpoint, or may serve as a way to agenda setting. In the sample outline, Sonia Rubenstein’s
first points out the different possible meanings, then clarifies the implications of agreeing to the meaning. Lastly, she
enlighten the audience on her chosen viewpoint. Topical organization is the typical pattern used for this type of speech.
Other methods of defining are classifying and differentiating from others, clarifying the origin, describe its function, and by
use of synonyms and antonyms. A topical pattern of organization is generally used for speeches of definition.
Narrative Speeches: The speaker shares with the audience a significant event in her/his life from which she/he has benefited from..
Unlike other speeches in a narrative, your main idea would be supported by the plot, climax and the characters of the story.
Be sure to make use of colorful language full of details, be descriptive of the action (present progressive tense) and dialogue
in your speech. These important elements will ensure that the tale has a greater impact on your audience. The chronological (time)
organization is recommended.
Time Requirement: 4-1/2 to 5 mins
Visual Aid Requirement: None
Outline Requirement: Outline & Speaker’s Cards
References: Description & Definition
Grade Value: 9%
Fear to Speak
I.
Don’t you all hate those feelings when your lips are dry, that nervousness in your stomach
or even when you experience all that cold seat right before going up for a speech?
II. Well, today I want to share with you, one of my worst experiences due to a homework assignment,
Thesis Assignment: Back in the 9th grade, my speech teacher assigned us our first assignment which I
Received like if someone had thrown to me a cold bucket of water.
Proposition: To show how the real “fear” feelings of giving a speech are right before going up to the stage.
I.
Mr. Johnston was the teacher who assigned the first speech which was an introduction about
ourselves.
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
III.
As soon as he mentioned it, my body’s temperature dropped.
He then said that the length of the speech had to be within a limit of 2 long minutes.
Which caused me to start shaking from head to toes, and think about everything I had to say.
The speech was due in only two days, which was a pretty short time to prepare a 2
MINUTE SPEECH.
One day passed, and the night before the speech, was the worst of all.
A. I had written my speech, but now the fear of going up in front of an audience was
growing inside me more and more every minute.
B. With sweaty hands, I practiced my speech maybe six or seven times.
C. When I went to bed, and once I fell asleep, I had a nightmare which showed me in
front of the classroom giving my speech.
1. The problem was that not even a word would come out.
Now came the speech, and the minutes before and during the speech were the longest ever.
A. I was sitting there, listening to the other speeches.
B. Then my turn came, and simply by looking at my audience, I got more nervous and
my voice got even shaky.
C. These had been my longest minutes in my entire life, but they were finally over.
Conclusion
I. Been nervous about something is good because that shows you really care.
II. Since that day, I feel that my public speaking skills have improved a lot, but I still don’t
fell 100% confident.
III. That’s why, in a way I think is good that we have to take this class in college so that all
the fear for public speaking sooner or later will vanish away.
Personal Experience Speech
Introduction/ Conclusion
Does the speaker use an attention getter/factor?
Does the speaker indicate the moral of the story?
Specific Purpose/Goal
Does the speaker inform the audience of the purpose/goal?
Main Points
Are there at least 3 main points? And two sub-points for each main point?
Are main points and sub-points complete sentences?
Body
I. The first speech was an introductory speech assigned by Mr. Johnston our teacher.
A. As soon as he mentioned it, my body’s temperature dropped.
B. He ten said that the length of the speech had to be within a limit of 2 minutes.
1. caused me to start shaking from head to toes
2. thinking about everything I wanted to say
C. We had a short time to prepare since the speech was due in only two days.
II.
Leading up to the speech the night before was the worst for me.
A. I had written my speech, but now the fear of going up in front of an audience was growing.
1. increasing moment to moment
B. With sweaty hands, I practiced my speech may be a total of seven times.
C. Once I fell asleep. I had a nightmare about giving the speech in front of the class.
1. not even a word came out
III. The minutes seem to take forever now that it was time to give the speech.
A. I was sitting there listening to the other speeches.
B. When my turn came, just looking at the audience got me nervous.
1. voice got even shaky
C. These had been my two longest minutes in my entire life.
Language
Is language colorful (5 senses) and full of details?
Is action descriptive (present progressive tense)?
Are characters described and is dialogue used?
Structure
Does the speech contain an introduction, body and conclusion?
Does the narrative/story follow a time sequence pattern?
Does the speaker use signpost/transitions to clarify time sequence?
Does the speaker provide sufficient background for characters and/or story?