Informative Speaking Goal is to impart knowledge to Raise awareness; Deepen understanding of some phenomenon. Brings new topics to light Offers new insights on familiar subjects Provides novel ways of thinking

Gain and Sustain Involvement Use audience analysis. Used to gauge listeners’: Knowledge of your topic Likely interests and needs Allows you to adjust your speech Focus on most important information

Gain and Sustain Involvement (cont.) Present new and interesting information Seek out Unusual angles; Novel interpretations; Moving stories; Striking examples.

Gain and Sustain Involvement (cont.) Help listeners follow along. Prepare a well-organized introduction. Make liberal use of transitions. Use internal previews and internal summaries. Use rhetorical devices to reinforce information. Help listeners mentally organize ideas.

Subject Matter of Informative Speeches Informative speeches can be about: Objects or phenomena Various aspects of nonhuman subjects People Impact of individuals/groups on society

Subject Matter of Informative Speeches (cont.) Events Noteworthy occurrences, past and present Processes How something is done How something is made How something works It changed to something in last two bullets.

Subject Matter of Informative Speeches (cont.) Concepts Abstract or complex ideas, theories, beliefs Issues Problems or matters of dispute Intended to raise awareness/deepen understanding Not intended to advocate a position

Informative Speech – About an Object Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the major alternative-fuel cars now being developed. I. One kind of alternative-fuel car is powered by electricity. II. A second kind of alternative-fuel car is powered by methanol. III. A third kind of alternative-fuel car is powered by hydrogen.

Informative Speech – About a Process Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the common methods used by stage magicians to perform their tricks. I. Many magic tricks rely on mechanical devices that may require little skill by the magician. II. Other magic tricks depend on the magician’s skill in fooling people by sleight-of-hand manipulation

Informative Speech – About an Event Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the events in women’s gymnastics. I. The floor exercise combines dancing, acrobatics, and tumbling. II. The vault features explosive strength and dramatic midair maneuvers. III. The balance beam requires precise routines and perfect coordination. IV. The uneven parallel bars demand great strength, flexibility, and agility.

Informative Speech – About a Concept Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the basic principles of nonviolent resistance. I. The first major principle of nonviolent resistance is that social change must be achieved by moral means. II. The second major principle of nonviolent resistance is that one should not inflict violence on one’s enemies. III. The third major principle of nonviolent resistance is that suffering can be a powerful social force.

Guidelines for Info. Speaking Don’t overestimate what the audience knows Relate the subject directly to the audience Don’t be too technical Avoid abstractions Personalize your ideas

Decide How to Communicate Your Information Definition Operational definition (what something does) Definition by negation (what something is not) Definition by example (providing solid examples) Description A statement that depicts a person, event, idea, or the like with clarity and vividness. Provides an array of details Paints a mental picture for listeners

Decide How to Communicate Your Information (cont.) Demonstration (not for this class) Verbal demonstration of steps involved Comparison / Contrast A statement of the similarities or differences among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.

Decide How to Communicate Your Information (cont.) Explanation Provides reasons or causes Demonstrates relationships Offers interpretation and analysis

Take Steps to Reduce Confusion Use analogies to build on prior knowledge. Relate to what listeners already know. Demonstrate underlying causes. Acknowledge common misconceptions. Offer an explanation of underlying causes.

Take Steps to Reduce Confusion (cont.) Appeal to different learning styles. Visual (pictures, diagrams, charts, maps) Aural (lectures, audio, group discussions, podcasts) Read/write (handouts, text-based slides) Kinesthetic (real-life demonstrations) Audio tapes is dated. Changed to audio; podcasts added.

Take Steps to Reduce Confusion (cont.) Multimodal learners have combined preferences. Audience analysis Provides sense of individuals’ learning styles Multiple models needed to convey information

Arrange Points in a Pattern Patterns used in informative speeches: Topical Chronological Spatial Cause-effect Narrative