Delivering the informative speech

How can we enhance the audience’s knowledge and understanding of a topic through this speech type?

Dawn Bartz, instructor

Identify the goal for the speech

Clarifying a complex issue

Increasing knowledge of a subject

Demonstrating something useful

Showing the relationship between things

Increasing interest in topics

What do you want your audience to walk away knowing?

To clarify complex issues

Select a topic that may be confusing to many people and explain to the what the issue can mean to them.

For example:

●How does identity theft work?

●Should some illegal drugs become legal in the US?

●What are “cookies,” and how do they influence web browsing?

Increasing what the audience knows about a topic

This type of speech is the most like teaching. What knowledge can you impart? This speech provides useful information listener can choose to use (or not).

Demonstrating something usefulThe audience will remember better if they not only hear what you say but also do it. Including a demonstration can add impact to words and images.

Examples:

●How can walking everyday for 10 minutes improve your health?

●What is the process to taking out a personal loan?

●What is the correct way to lift weights without causing injury?

To show how things are related in spaceRelates well to scientists, engineers, architects, electricians, designers, etc.

● How should you compose a photograph?

● What is the geography of the brain?

● What is the most effective way to research online in the college library?

To increase interest in an issue or topicInformative speeches often try to increase interest in topics that may seem dull or ordinary. These examples may seem uninteresting however when using the right devices they can be engaging.

●What are the lessons learned from Shakespeare?

●What are the most common phobias?

●What was the presidential record of William Henry Harrison?

Think about the purpose of your speech

What do you want the audience to know as a result of the presentation?

How will you ensure that you are successful?

What techniques can you use to keep the attention of the audience?

How can research assist you in supporting your main objective and your reasons?

Are there any attitudes or predispositions that audience members may have to your topic and, if so, how can you adapt your speech so that you are more successful?

Anticipate the immediate behavioral purposes ● Provide definitions of words,

objects, concepts

● Describe objects, persons, or issues

● Distinguish between different things

● Compare and/or contrast items

Think about how to present information in a way that will engage your readers

Generate “information hunger” The presenter must create a need for the information

Methods can include:

●Using a rhetorical question (“Can you identify the warning signs of a heart attack?”)

●Provide an interesting statement (“I have a secret for achieving financial success.”)

●Having an unusual object or wearing unusual clothing (Be sure it is related to your topic.)

●Using an anecdote to help the audience relate to the topic.

Techniques

Forecast (tell your audience what you are going to tell them, tell them, and remind them at the end)

Use transitions to increase understanding

Tell the audience the points that are most important

Repeat the points for better understanding

Storytelling is an effective technique

Most people are drawn to stories. They often provide a level of detail and imagery that appeals to different audiences.

Techniques (continued)

Define (compare/contrast, operational definitions, synonyms)

Describe (concrete, specific, accurate, imagery metaphor

Explain (simplifies, clarifies)

Narrate (presentation and interpretation of a story, a dramatic reading, acting)

Demonstrate (provide information and then show your audience)

Avoid information overload●Avoid being overly complex

●Avoid using words or jargon that only some audience members understand

●Avoid too many definitions or technical terms

●Don’t try to cram too much information into the speech

Be clear in sentence structure

Organize the content in a logical manner