Informative Speech
A speech designed to convey knowledge and understanding
Object
Anything that is visible, tangible, and stable in form
Process
A systematic series of actions that leads to a specific result or product
Event
Anything that happens or is regarded as happening
Concept
A belief, theory, idea, notion, principle, or the like
Description
A statement that depicts a person, event, idea, or the like with clarity and vividness
Comparison
A statement of the similarities among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.
Contrast
A statement of the differences among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.
Personalize
To present one's ideas in human terms that relate in some fashion to the experience of the audience
Informative Speech Statistics
1. Informative speaking is rated as the most important speech work skill
2. 62% of workers use informative speaking constantly
Informative Speech Criteria
1. Accurate
2. Clear
3. Meaningful
4. Interesting
Types of Informative Speeches
1. Speeches about Objects
2. Speeches about Processes
3. Speeches about Events
4. Speeches about Concepts
When should you use chronological order?
To explain the history or evolution of your subject; to present main points in their order of occurrence; present a sequence of events, steps in a procedure, or stages of a process in their logical order
When should you use spatial order?
To describe the main features of your subject; to describe structure, layout, or any directional pattern. Use a left-to-right, top-to-bottom, inside-to-outside or similar pattern of organization
When should you use topical order?
To present supporting evidence that does not have a clear timeline, spatial organization, or causal relationships. Use topical order when your topic does not lend itself to another organizational strategy.
What are speeches about processes?
Speeches about processes explain how something is made, done, or works. You should outline the steps or techniques.
Kind 1: Explains a process so that listeners will understand it better
Kind 2: Explains a process so that listeners will be better able to
Guidelines for Informative Speaking
1. Don't overestimate what the audience knows
2. Relate the subject directly to the audience "you/your"
3. Don't be too technical
4. Avoid abstractions
5. Personalize your ideas
How to avoid abstractions
1. Use description to communicate internal feelings
2. Use comparisons that put your subject in concrete, familiar terms
3. Use contrasts to put an idea into concrete terms