Informational Speeches:Informational Speeches:The Introduction The Introduction

The First Rule of Public The First Rule of Public Speaking Speaking

“Tell them what you’re going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you’ve told them.”

4 Objectives for Introductions 4 Objectives for Introductions

• Get the attention and interest of your audience

• Reveal the topic of your speech• Establish your credibility • Preview the body of the speech

Ways to Get the Attention & Ways to Get the Attention & Interest of Your AudienceInterest of Your Audience

• Relate the topic to the audience• State the importance of your topic• Startle the audience• Arouse the curiosity of the audience• Question the audience • Begin with a quotation • Tell a story

Reveal the Topic of Your Reveal the Topic of Your SpeechSpeech

• Clearly state the topic of your speech

TOPIC

Establish Credibility and Establish Credibility and GoodwillGoodwill

• Help the audience know that you are credible by:• Giving personal examples• Citing research• Conducting interviews

As a cancer survivor myself…

Dr. Fowler once told me

that …

According to the Wall Street

Journal …

Establish Credibility and Establish Credibility and GoodwillGoodwill

• If your speech is controversial, you should provide one or more solid reason why others should consider your point of view

Though you may disagree with stem cell research, I ask that you consider the benefits

which include…

Preview the Body of the Preview the Body of the Speech Speech

• Provide your audience with 3-5 key points that you will be discussing in the body of your speech

Tips for Dealing with Tips for Dealing with Nervousness Nervousness

• Prepare• Think positively• Visualize success • Understand that most nervousness is

not visible• Don’t expect perfection

Tips for Dealing with Tips for Dealing with Nervousness Nervousness

• Before speaking, tighten and relax your leg muscles or squeeze your hands together and release them

• Take a couple of slow, deep breaths• Work especially hard on your introduction.

Your anxiety level will begin to drop after about 30 seconds.

• Make eye contact • Use visual aids. They draw attention away

from you and make you less self-conscious.

Informative Speech TopicsInformative Speech Topics

Informative Speech Topics Informative Speech Topics

Informational Speeches:Informational Speeches:The Body of the Speech The Body of the Speech

Provide ExamplesProvide Examples

• Brief examples (also called specific instances) used to illustrate a point.

• Extended example (story) used to illustrate a point

• Hypothetical example (an imaginary situation)

ExamplesExamples

Brief Example:Brief Example:

The advancements made in technology over the past 10 years are evident in the fact that cell phones are now capable of much more than those developed in the early 90s; texting wasn’t even in our vernacular.

Extended Example:Extended Example:

It was 30 years ago when my life was turned upside down. With the crashing of metal and shrill screaming, I knew my life as a professional football player was over. Two years later…

Hypothetical Example:Hypothetical Example:

Imagine for a moment what life would be like if you were a alien from another planet. What would you…

Use Imagery Use Imagery

• Concrete words that evoke images of sights, sounds, touch, smell, or taste

• Simile (a comparison using the words “like” or “as”)

• Metaphor (a comparison that does not use the words “like” or “as”)

Examples Using ImageryExamples Using Imagery

Concrete Words:Concrete Words:

The crisp morning dew glittered in the warmth of the rising sun….

Simile:Simile:

His anger was like a tsunami crashing against the shores of Japan

Metaphor:Metaphor:

Socialism is a cancer that eats away at the very fabric of a nation.

RhythmRhythm

• Parallelism (the similar arrangement of a pair or series of related words, phrase, or sentences)

• Repetition (repeating the same word or set of words)

• Alliteration (repeating the initial consonant sound of words)

• Antithesis (contrasting ideas)

Examples Using Rhythm Examples Using Rhythm

Parallelism:Parallelism:

Young and old, happy and sad, listless and content – life is full of contrasts.

Repetition:Repetition:

The Bridge is a school. The Bridge is a community. The Bridge is a family.

Alliteration:Alliteration:

Concern, caring, and charisma are characteristics of capable congressmen.

Antithesis:Antithesis:

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” -John F. Kennedy

Informational Speeches:Informational Speeches:The Conclusion The Conclusion

Objectives for Conclusions Objectives for Conclusions

• Let the audience know that your speech is about to end

• Reinforce 3 of the main points you made in the body of your speech

• Make ‘em think

Ways to Let the Audience Ways to Let the Audience Know Your Speech is EndingKnow Your Speech is Ending

In closing…In summary…In conclusion…

My purpose has been…

Let me end by saying…

As I conclude, let me reiterate…

Overall…Let me leave you

with…

Reinforce 3-5 Key PointsReinforce 3-5 Key Points

Make ‘em ThinkMake ‘em Think

• End with a quotation• Make a dramatic statement• Refer back to the ideas from the

introduction • Ask a rhetorical question • Answer a question• Show a benefit or valuable application• Challenge the audience to take action

Tips for Conclusions Tips for Conclusions

• Keep conclusions brief• End well. Your conclusion is what

people will remember most.