Chapter 15

Informative Speaking

• Describe the goals of informative speaking

• List and describe each of the eight categories of informative speeches

• Outline the four major approaches to informative speeches

• Employ strategies to make your audience hungry for information

• Structure your speech to make it easy to listen to

Chapter Outcomes

The Goals of Informative Speaking

• Meeting the Audience’s Informational Needs– Gauge what they already know.– Decide on an appropriate approach.– Make the topic relevant to each

member of the audience.

The Goals of Informative Speaking (cont.)

• Informing, Not Persuading– Keep the speech objective.

• Speaking Appropriately and Ethically– Provide relevant, reliable

information.– Be honest and truthful.– Avoid plagiarism.

Topics for Informative Presentations

• Points to consider when choosing your topic:– Make your topic relevant to both the

audience and yourself.– Make sure you have some knowledge

of your topic.– Make sure your topic does not lend

itself to persuasion.

Topics for Informative Presentations (cont.)• People

• Places• Objects and phenomena• Events• Processes• Concepts• Issues• Plans and policies

Approaches to Conveying Information

• Descriptions:– Paint mental pictures for listeners

• Demonstrations:– Answer “how” questions– Combine physical demonstration with

explanatory narration

Approaches to Conveying Information (cont.)• Definitions: provide answers to

“what” questions– Operational definition– Definition by negation– Definition by example– Definition by synonym– Definition by etymology

Approaches to Conveying Information (cont.)

• Explanations: answer “why” or “what does that mean?” questions– Clarify concepts with elucidating

explanations– Explain the big picture with quasi-

scientific explanations – Challenge intuition with

transformative explanations

Guidelines for Informative Speeches

• Create Information Hunger– Arouse curiosity– Work your topic

Guidelines for Informative Speeches (cont.)• Make It Easy

– Choose clear organization and structure.

– Emphasize important points.– Don’t overwhelm the audience.– Build on prior knowledge.– Define your terms.– Use appropriate supporting material.– Use appropriate presentation aids.