Week 3: Speaking to inform

General Purpose The broad goal of a speech: To inform To persuade To entertain “ A talk is a voyage with a purpose, and it must be charted.” Inform Persuade Entertain

Informative Speech

Determining the General Purpose Your general purpose is to inform. Your aim is to enhance the knowledge and understanding of your listeners. To give them information they did not have before. Be clear, accurate and interesting.

Types of informative speeches How to save people from; How to buy a used car; how to write an effective job resume; how perfume is made… Cosmetic surgery; television viewing; Halloween; jobs interviews… Speeches about objects Speeches about processes Speeches about events Speeches about concepts

Types of informative speeches Principles of psychology; Islam; Extinction of dinosaurs… Objects include places, buildings, animals, people... Speeches about objects Speeches about processes Speeches about events Speeches about concepts

Specific Purpose Statement A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech.

Guidelines for the Specific Purpose Do’s Express as a full sentence Eg: To inform my audience the three uses of laser in the medical field. Limit it to one distinct idea Eg: To convince my audience to become literacy tutors and to donate their time to Green Peace Don’t’s Do not express as a question Eg: Is the US intervention in the Middle East necessary? Avoid figurative language Eg: To persuade my audience that Yoga is an extremely cool way to improve your health. Do not be vague or overly general Eg: To inform my audience about smoking .

Example To inform my audience about the three major rituals in a Malay wedding. To inform my audience on how to make Italian cappuchino. To inform my audience the major reasons for the landslide occurrence at Bukit Antarabangsa. To inform my audience what to look for when buying a digital camera/handphone.

Example Topic: Witchcraft Practiced in the Malay Society General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three major kinds of witchcraft practiced today in the Malay society.

Example Topic: Social Ills General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three major social ills facing the Malaysian society today.

Example Topic: Chinese New Year General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three important traditions practiced during the Chinese New Year.

Example Topic: The Heimlih Maneuver General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver.

Example Topic: The Truth About Caffeine General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: I would like to inform the audience about some of the facts about caffeine and its effects on the human body.

A Good Specific-Purpose Statement Describes whom, you want to influence, what you want them to think or do, or how, when and where you want them to do it. In a single statement: “I want (whom) to (do what) (how, when, where).” “I want to show each person in this office how to operate the new voice mail system correctly.” “I want everyone in this group to show me that he or she can operate a voice mail system correctly after my talk.”

Specific Purpose Expresses the goal you hope to achieve with your speech Be realistic Be able to measure success Begin with “to” Example: “to inform my audience of the three major kinds of witchcraft practiced today.

Questions to ask about your specific purpose Does my purpose meet the assignment? Can I accomplish my purpose in the time allotted? Is the purpose relevant to my audience? Is the purpose too trivial for my audience? Is the purpose too technical for my audience?

Central Idea/Thesis Statement A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech. Usually found in the introduction of your speech.

EXAMPLE … Topic: Witchcraft Practised in the Malay Society General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three major kinds of witchcraft practised today in the Malay society. Central idea: The three major kinds of witchcraft practised today in the Malay society are black magic (n), sorcery (n) and satanism (n).

EXAMPLE … Topic: Social Ills General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three major social ills facing the Malaysian society today. Central idea: The three major social ills facing the Malaysian society today are domestic violence, close proximity and sexual abuse.

EXAMPLE … Topic: Chinese New Year General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three important traditions practised during the Chinese New Year. Central idea: The three important traditions practised during the Chinese New Year are the reunion dinner, ang pau giving and lion dance performance .

EXAMPLE … Topic: The Heimlih Maneuver General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: To inform my audience how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Central idea: The effectiveness of the Heimlich Maneuver depends on two factors – knowing the symptoms of a choking victim and knowing how to perform the maneuver to save the victim.

EXAMPLE … Topic “ The Truth About Caffeine.” General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: I would like to inform the audience about some of the facts about caffeine and its effects on the human body. Central idea: I am going to talk about the beneficial effects of caffeine, negative effects of caffeine and levels of safe caffeine consumption.

Virtual Informative Speech Outline (10%) Virtual Presentation (20%) Assessment 5: Week 13-14 Virtual Informative Speech Outline (10%) Virtual Presentation (20%)