Informative Speech Format
1. Introduction:
Tell ’em what you’re going to tell ’em.
2. Body:
Tell ’em.
3. Conclusion:
Tell ’em what you told ’em.
Sample Introduction
(Thesis underlined)
Most people know what a penguin is, or at
least they think they do. A penguin is an
awkward bird that lives in the Antarctic and
always seems to be dressed for a formal
occasion, right? Actually, there may be more to
the penguin than meets the eye. To gain a good
understanding of the penguin, we must examine
three areas: the habitat and anatomy of the
penguin, how they communicate and behave,
and finally, appearances in popular culture.
Sample Outline of Body
I. habitat and anatomy
II. communication and behavior
III. popular culture
Sample Conclusion (Summary)
Today, we have learned that penguins don’t
just live at the South Pole -- they live all over the
Southern Hemisphere. Their bodies are welladapted for spending their lives in the water,
unlike most other birds. Penguins are very
social, and combine vocalizing and gesturing to
communicate. Finally, whether portrayed as
awkward, adorable little guys or as the
interesting opposite personality, penguins have
made a noticeable impact on today’s popular
culture.
Informative Speeches
will be graded on the following:
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Strong introduction
Clear thesis
Suitable topic
Good organization
Interesting presentation
Eye contact with entire audience
Vocal variety
At least one Visual Aid which enhances presentation
Clear diction
Smooth transitions
Conclusion which summarizes main points
Time: 2 minutes
Citing at least two sources
Three Parts of a Speech
• Introduction
– Gains attention and goodwill of audience
– Develops interest in topic
• Body
– Presents main points in an organized pattern
– Gives supporting information for main points
• Conclusion
– Emphasizes key idea or ideas
– Leaves audience with greater interest in topic
Due Friday:
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Topic
Purpose
Thesis
Outline
Example: Topic, Purpose,
Thesis, Outline
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Topic: soccer-style placekicking
Purpose: to inform
Thesis: The four steps in soccer-style
placekicking are to spot the ball, to mark off the
steps, to approach the ball, and to kick the ball.
Outline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Spotting the ball
Marking off the steps
Approaching the ball
Kicking the ball
Techniques for Introductions
1. Startling Statement
There are an estimated fifty million dogs in
the United States. That’s approximately one
dog for every two families in the country.
Today, we’ll look at the ways dogs have
become humans’ “best friends.”
Techniques for Introductions
2. Questions
Why is it that roughly one out of every two
families in the United States has a pet dog?
What is it about dogs that makes them far and
away the leading pet and humans’ “best
friends”?
Techniques for Introductions
3. Story
The house was filled with smoke. The father led his wife
and children into the yard--everyone was gasping for breath.
As smok cleared from his eyes, he looked around only to
discover that Julie, his five-year-old daughter, was missing.
Just as the father was about to rush back into the house, he
saw Kelly, the family’s German shepherd, pull Julie throught
he doorway.
Is this just a story? No, it’s the kind of actual occurrence
that happens several times every year and represents just
one of the ways that dogs have shown themselves to be true
frineds. Today I want to talk with you about the ways in which
dogs have earned their place as humans’ “best friends.”
Techniques for Introductions
4. Quotation
These lines from a speech given to the US
Senate by George Graham Vest describe the
way many people feel about their dogs.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man
can have in this selfish world, the one that never
deserts him, the one that never proves
ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog . . . . When
all other friends desert, he remains.
In my speech today, I want to look at the ways
in which dogs have become humans’ “best
friends.”
Techniques for Introductions
5. Personal reference
I’m sure many of you have pets--perhaps
you have a cat or a parakeet. Some of you
may go in for more exotic pets like monkeys,
snakes, or rare tropical fish. But unless I miss
my guess, more of you own dogs than own
any other kind of family pet. Today I want...
Techniques for Introductions
6. Audiovisual Materials
Look at this picture of Border collies
herding sheep in Montana. Here’s another
picture that shows a Doberman pinscher on
guard at a warehouse complex. And finally,
here’s a picture of a German shepherd
playing with his human owners. As these
pictures show, there are at least three ways
dogs have become humans’ “best friends.”
Techniques for Conclusions
1. Summary
So we can see that by working
together with people, by protecting
people ad their property, and by showing
unparalleled love and devotion to people,
dogs have earned their place as our
“best friends.”
Techniques for Conclusions
2. Stirring Ending
If you have a dog, you can understand
the feelings of the poet who said of his
dog, “Of all the treasures that were mine, I
loved him most of all.”
Presenting Your Speech
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Establish Credibility - the amount of trust and belief the speaker inspires in
an audience. Citing sources within your speech is a great way to show
you’ve done your research.
Show Enthusiasm - the strong positive feeling speakers show for their
topics.
Establish Eye Contact - If you fail to establish eye contact, the members of
the audience will let their eyes--and their attention--wander.
Use Vocal Variety and Emphasis - Vary your tone, rate, volume, and pitch
to emphasize key points and to make your speech more interesting.
Use clear Articulation and Enunciation - Be careful not to slur your words.
Speak clearly, and your audience will find listening to your message easy
and enjoyable.
Practice careful Pronunciation - If you mispronounce key words in your
speech, your listeners will begin to question whether you have a thorough
knowledge of your subject.
Avoid Vocalized Pauses - If you need to pause, pause, but don’t fill the
pause with meaningless speech sounds (uh, um....)
Informative Speeches
will be graded on the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Strong introduction
Clear thesis
Suitable topic
Good organization
Interesting presentation
Eye contact with entire audience
Vocal variety
At least one Visual Aid which enhances presentation
Clear diction
Smooth transitions
Conclusion which summarizes main points
Time: 3-6 minutes
Citing at least three sources