1. SPE 108
The Informative Speech

2. Characteristics of the
Informative Speech
•
•
•
designed to convey
knowledge and
understanding
you act as a lecturer
or teacher
you absorb
knowledge, and then
communicate that
knowledge effectively

3. Who makes informative
speeches?
•
a business manager
explaining next year’s
budget
•
a teacher teaching a
lesson
•
a military officer briefing
subordinates
•
a union leader describing
a new contract
•
the church worker
organizing a fundraiser

4. Three criteria:
• Is the information communicated
accurately?
• Is the information communicated clearly?
• Is the information made meaningful and
interesting to the audience?

5. Types of Speeches
Speeches about Objects: anything that is visible,
tangible and in stable form
•
•
•
•
places, people, structures, animals
must choose a specific purpose about this
object for the speech
How an object is used, what is a feature of
the object, why is the object important?
Topical order

6. Types of Speeches
Speeches about Processes
•
This speech answers the HOW
•
purpose: so the audience understands the process
better
•
chronological order or topical order?

7. Types of Speeches
Speeches about Events
•
civil rights movement, figure skating, Cinco de Mayo,
ADD
•
chronological order, causal order (working from cause
to effect), topical order

8. Types of Speeches
Speeches about Concepts
•
•
Beliefs, theories, ideas, principles
topical order

9. The audience
• Don’t over estimate what your
audience knows
• relate subject to the audience
• don’t be too technical
• avoid abstractions (be specific)
• personalize your ideas

10. The audience
• Don’t over estimate what your
audience knows
• relate subject to the audience
• don’t be too technical
• avoid abstractions (be specific)
• personalize your ideas