SPE 108 The Informative Speech
SPE 108The Informative Speech
Characteristics of the Informative
Speech•designed to convey
knowledge and understanding
•you act as a lecturer or teacher
•you absorb knowledge, and then communicate that knowledge effectively
Who makes informative speeches?• a business manager
explaining next year’s budget
• a teacher teaching a lesson
• a military officer briefing subordinates
• a union leader describing a new contract
• the church worker organizing a fundraiser
Three criteria:
•Is the information communicated accurately?
•Is the information communicated clearly?
•Is the information made meaningful and interesting to the audience?
Types of SpeechesSpeeches about Objects: anything that is visible, tangible and in stable form
•places, people, structures, animals
•must choose a specific purpose about this object for the speech
•How an object is used, what is a feature of the object, why is the object important?
•Topical order
Types of Speeches
Speeches about Processes
• This speech answers the HOW
• purpose: so the audience understands the process better
• chronological order or topical order?
Types of Speeches
Speeches about Events
• civil rights movement, figure skating, Cinco de Mayo, ADD
• chronological order, causal order (working from cause to effect), topical order
Types of Speeches
Speeches about Concepts
• Beliefs, theories, ideas, principles
• topical order
The audience
•Don’t over estimate what your audience knows
•relate subject to the audience
•don’t be too technical
•avoid abstractions (be specific)
•personalize your ideas