Speeches

Types of Speeches

An Informative speech is one in which you provide your audience with new and/or useful information about a significant topic. Remember, your goal is “to increase an audience’s knowledge or understanding of a topic;” your job is to define, explain and clarify your topic. No overt attempts to persuade the audience should be made but you do need to show the audience why your topic is important to themвЂ"what is the topic’s significance or consequences to their lives? Basically, there are three types of informative speeches: Speeches of Description, Speeches of Explanation, and Speeches of Demonstration.

An informative speech is an original factual speech by the student on a realistic subject to fulfill the general aim of informing the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the speaker"s message. Multiple sources of evidence should be used and cited during the development of the speech. Minimal notes are permitted, but memorized delivery is strongly preferred. The maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Informative: In an informative speech, the audience learns about a new subject or learns new information about a familiar subject. An informative purpose statement will generally be worded to stress audience knowledge or ability. There are three ways to categorize informative speeches; by format, by content, and by purpose.

Informative speeches can be divided into two formats; briefings, and reports. Informative speeches can also be categorized according to their content. There are speeches about objects, processes, events, and concepts. One can also distinguish among types of informative speeches depending upon the speaker's intention, these include; descriptions, explanations, and instructions. Whatever you present should be new to your audience.

THE ENTERTAINING SPEAKER (226-A):

Speech Objectives

1) The Entertaining Speech: Entertain the audience through use of humor and/or drama drawn from your personal experience. Organize an entertaining speech for maximum audience impact.

Time: 5-7 minutes.

2) Resources for Entertaining: Draw humorous and/or dramatic material from sources other than your own personal experience. Adapt your material to suit your topic, your own personality and the audience.