Chapter Twenty-Three
The Informative
Speech
Chapter Twenty-Three
Table of Contents
Informative Speaking Goals and Strategies
Categories of Informative Speeches
Subject Matter of Informative Speeches
Guidelines for Effective Informative
Speeches
Informative Speaking Goals and
Strategies
Building Understanding and Awareness
Gauging the Audience’s Informational
Needs
Informative Speaking Goals and Strategies:
Building Understanding and Awareness
Before we can
retain information,
we must be able to
recognize and
understand it.
Informative Speaking Goals and Strategies:
Building Understanding and Awareness
The audience’s comprehension is aided by:
Organizational pattern
Effective previews and transitions
Language
Presentation aids
Informative Speaking Goals and Strategies:
Gauging Audience Needs
An understanding of the audience and the
factors affecting it are important.
Listeners must be able to see the
relevance of the topic.
Categories of Informative
Speeches
Speech
Speech
Speech
Speech
of
of
of
of
Definition
Description
Explanation
Demonstration
Categories of Informative Speeches
Speech of Definition
Operational definition: defines
something by explaining what it does
Definition by negation: defines
something by explaining what it is not
Continued on next slide
Categories of Informative Speeches
Speech of Definition
Definition by example: provides examples of
the subject
Definition by synonym: defines one term by
comparing it to another
Definition by etymology: illustrates the
definition by explaining the root of the term
Categories of Informative Speeches:
Speech of Description
Be as vivid as you can in your
descriptions of people, places,
events, processes, and objects.
Categories of Informative Speeches:
Speech of Explanation
Explanations focus on
reasons or causes,
and demonstrate
relationships by
relying on
interpretation and
analysis.
Categories of Informative Speeches:
Speech of Demonstration
Demonstrations generally focus on how
to do something or how something
works.
Subject matter of informative
speeches
Speeches
Speeches
Speeches
Speeches
Speeches
Speeches
about
about
about
about
about
about
Objects
People
Events
Processes
Concepts
Issues
Subject matter of Informative Speeches:
Speeches about Objects
Discuss anything
that is not
human, including
both animate and
inanimate
objects.
Subject matter of Informative Speeches:
Speeches about People
Inform about historically significant
individuals and groups, those who have
made contributions to society, or those
whom we find compelling.
Subject matter of Informative Speeches:
Speeches about Events
Focus on noteworthy occurrences, past
and present
Subject matter of Informative Speeches:
Speeches about Processes
Refer to a series of steps that lead to a
finished product or end result
how something is done
how it is made
how it works
Subject matter of Informative Speeches:
Speeches about Concepts
Focus on abstract
or complex ideas
or theories and an
attempt to make
them concrete and
understandable
Subject matter of Informative Speeches:
Speeches about Issues
Provide a report
or overview of
problems
Informative Speeches
Guidelines for
Effective
Speeches
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Strive for Balance
When planning a speech, critically
evaluate the amount of content to
include in terms of your listener’s
interests and needs.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Define Your Terms
Define terms if you
are unsure if the
audience knows
what you are
talking about.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Reinforce Your Message through
Repetition
Repeat key words or phrases to create
a distinctive rhythm and thereby
implant important ideas in listeners’
minds.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Relate Old Ideas to New Ones
Draw comparisons to concepts the
audience is familiar with.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Present New and Interesting
Information
Try to uncover
information that is
fresh and compelling.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Strive for Clarity
Tell the audience exactly what you
want them to get out of the speech.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Use Visualization
Visualization is an effective way to
ensure the audience has a solid grasp
of what you are talking about.
Visualization helps build interest.
Guidelines for Effective Informative Speeches:
Incorporate Presentation Aids
Informative messages that are visually
reinforced are often more
understandable and believable.