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

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

3. Guidelines for the Specific Purpose Express as a full sentence Eg: To inform my audience the three uses of laser in the medical field. Do not express as a question Eg: Is 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. Limit it to one distinct idea Eg: To convince my audience to become literacy tutors and to donate their time to GreenPeace.

4. Examples…informative To inform my audience about the three major rituals in a Malay wedding. To inform my audience 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.

5. 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 sentence.

6. 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).

7. 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 Malaysia society today are domestic violence, close proximity and sexual abuse.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.