Chapter 16:Informative Speaking

COMM3Verderber, Sellnow, and Verderber

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Learning OutcomesLO16-1 Identify the characteristics of effective

informative speakingLO16-2 Describe methods for conveying informationLO16-3 Discuss common patterns for informative

speeches

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Informative Speeches

An informative speech is one whose goal is to explain or describe facts, truths, and principles in a way that

stimulates interest, facilitates understanding, and increases the

likelihood of remembering.

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Be Intellectually Stimulating

• Your audience will perceive information to be intellectually stimulating when it is new to them and when it is explained in a way that piques their curiosity and interest.– Depth involves going into more detail than people’s

general knowledge of the topic. – Breadth involves looking at how your topic relates

to associated topics.© 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 16-1

• Incorporate listener relevance links throughout your informative speech.

• As you prepare each main point, ask and answer the question: How would knowing this information make my listeners happier, healthier, wealthier, wiser, and so forth?

Learning Outcome 16-1

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Be Relevant

• Creative speeches yield innovative ideas.• Creative informative speeches begin with

good research. The more you learn about a topic, the more you will have to work with to develop it creatively.

• The creative process depends on having time to mull over ideas.

Learning Outcome 16-1

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Be Creative

Be Memorable• Your audience will need help

remembering your speech’s most important concepts. Emphasize:–Your specific goal–Main points–Key facts

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Learning Outcome 16-1

Address Diverse Learning Styles

• You will be most successful when you address diverse learning styles.

• Rounding the learning cycle ensures that you address the diverse learning style preferences of your audience and make the speech understandable, meaningful, and memorable for all.

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Learning Outcome 16-1

Description• Description is an informative method

used to create an accurate, vivid, verbal picture of an object, geographic feature, setting, event, person, or image.

• This method usually answers an overarching who, what, or where question.

Learning Outcome 16-2

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Definition• Definition is an informative method that explains the

meaning of something. There are four ways to define something:1. You can classify it and differentiating it from similar words

or ideas2. You can explain its derivation or history3. You can explain its use or function4. You can use a familiar synonym or antonym

• A synonym is a word that has the same or a similar meaning• An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning

Learning Outcome 16-2

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Comparison and Contrast• Comparison and contrast is an

informative method that focuses on how something is similar to and different from other things.

• Because comparisons and contrasts can be figurative or literal, you can use metaphors and analogies as well as making direct comparisons.

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Learning Outcome 16-2

Narration

Narration is an informative method that recounts an autobiographical or biographical event, a myth, a story, or

some other account.

Learning Outcome 16-2

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Demonstration• Demonstration is an informative method

that shows how something is done, displays the stages of a process, or depicts how something works.

• In a demonstration, your experience with what you are demonstrating is critical.

Learning Outcome 16-2

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Process Speeches• The goal of a process speech is to

demonstrate how something is done, is made, or works.

• Effective process speeches require you to delineate the steps and the order in which they occur.

• Process speeches rely heavily on the demonstration method of informing.

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Learning Outcome 16-3

Expository Speeches

The goal of an expository speech is to provide carefully

researched, in-depth knowledge about a complex topic.

Learning Outcome 16-3

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Expository Speeches

• Expository speeches explain:• A political, economic, social, religious, or

ethical issue• Forces of history• A theory, principle, or law• A creative work

Learning Outcome 16-3

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FIGURE 16.7Informative Speech Evaluation Checklist

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