1. Speaking to Inform Chapter 14 Slide No. Title 1 Title Slide
3 Informative Speech
4 Types of Informative Speeches
5 Informative Speech about an Object
6 Informative Speech about a Process
7 Informative Speech about an Event
8 Informative Speech about a Concept
9 Guidelines for Informative Speaking
10 Jargon
11 Description
12 Comparison
13 Contrast
14 Explaining a Concept
15 Explaining a Procedure
16 Personalizing Ideas
17 Blank
Speaking to Inform

2. Informative Speech
A speech designed to convey knowledge and understanding.

3. Types of Informative Speeches
Speeches about objects
Speeches about processes
Speeches about events
Speeches about concepts

4. 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.

5. Informative Speech About a Process
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience how a batik fabric is printed.
I. The design is first sketched on the paper.
II. A wax resist is applied to the fabric wherever you don’t want the dye to penetrate.
III. The fabric is then dipped in the dye.
IV. When the fabric is dried, the wax resist is removed.

6. 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.

7. Informative Speech About a Concept
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the basic principles of Islam.
I. Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammad in the early 600s.
II. The teachings of Islam are written in the Koran, the holy book of Islam.
III. Today Islam is divided into a number of sects, the largest of which are the Sunnis and the Shiites.

8. Guidelines for Informative 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

9. Don’t Overestimate What the Audience Knows
In most cases, the audience will be only vaguely knowledgeable about the speaker’s topic.
The speaker cannot assume the audience will know what he or she means and must explain ideas thoroughly and clearly.
One way to do this is to consider whether the speech will be clear to someone who is hearing about the topic for the first time.
Never overestimate the knowledge of your audience; never underestimate the intelligence of your audience.

10. Relate the Subject Directly to the Audience
Informative speakers must recognize that what is fascinating to them may not be fascinating to everybody.
Effective informative speakers work to get the audience interested—and to keep them interested.
They begin with a creative introduction that connects the topic with the interests and concerns of the audience.
They find ways throughout the body of the speech to talk about the topic in terms of their listeners.

11. Don’t Be Too Technical
An informative speech may be overly technical because the subject matter is too specialized for the audience.
An informative speech may also be overly technical because of the speaker’s use of jargon or obscure language.
Effective informative speakers select topics that are not too technical for the audience.
Effective informative speakers recognize that language appropriate for an audience of specialists may well be confusing to a general audience.

12. Avoid Abstractions
Replacing tedious abstractions with specific details makes an informative speech more compelling.
One way to avoid abstractions is through description.
Colorful descriptions of external events can draw listeners into the speech.
Description can also be used to communicate internal feelings vividly and engagingly.

13. Avoid Abstractions - continued -
A second way to avoid abstractions is with comparisons.
Comparisons allow a speaker to explain new ideas in concrete, familiar terms.
Effective informative speakers are adept at using comparisons to draw listeners into the speech.
A third way to avoid abstractions is with contrast.
Like comparison, contrast can put abstractions into concrete terms.
Contrast is also an excellent way to give listeners a sense of perspective on concepts and events.

14. Personalize Your Ideas
Nothing enlivens an informative speech more than personal illustrations.
Whenever possible, informative speakers should try to dramatize their ideas in human terms.
The best way to accomplish this is with examples—real or hypothetical—that personalize the subject matter.