Informative Speaking

Purpose of Informative Speeches The main goal is to increase the audience's understanding or awareness by imparting knowledge. Provides an audience with: New info New insights New ways of thinking about a topic.

Types of Informative Speaking By Content Objects Processes Events Concepts People Issues By Purpose Descriptions “word picture” Explanations “why” Instructions “how to” Demonstrations “visual how to”

Defining Information in your Speech Operational definition when something is defined by what it does Definition by negation Describes something by explaining what it is not Definition by example Provide examples Definition by synonym Using another word for comparison Definition by etymology “word origin”

Informative vs. Persuasive Informal topic tends to be noncontroversial Informative speaker does not intend to change audience attitudes.

Techniques of Informative Speaking Define a specific informative purpose Strive for balance: Include neither too much nor too little Emphasize the topic’s relevance to your audience. Create information hunger A reason for your audience members to want to listen to and learn from your speech.

Limit the amount of information you present Make it easy to listen Limit the amount of information you present Use familiar information to increase understanding of the unfamiliar Use simple information to build up understanding of complex information Define your terms so that all audience members will understand you. Relate old ideas to new ones

Present new and interesting information Strive for clarity Use Visualization Incorporate presentation aids Emphasize important points Repetition Signposts

Use a clear organization and structure The introduction The body The conclusion Use supporting material effectively Use clear language Generate audience involvement Personalize your speech Use audience participation Use volunteer Have question-and-answer period

Checklist In your introduction, tell audience members what you hope they will learn by listening to you Stress the topic’s relevance to your listeners. Select examples that will be clear to all audience members. Introduce concepts that may be new to the audience by relating them to something with which listeners are already familiar.

Reinforce your message through repetition of key words and phrases. Use language that is concise, concrete, and vivid to describe your information. Consider using similes and metaphors to make your examples familiar to the audience. Consider how presentation aids can reinforce and expand upon your speech points.