WEEK 3:SPEAKING TO INFORM

GENERAL PURPOSE

The broad goal of a speech:To informTo persuadeTo entertain

“ A talk is a voyage with a purpose, and it must be charted.”

InformInform

PersuadePersuade

EntertainEntertain

INFORMATIVE SPEECH

DETERMINING THE GENERAL PURPOSE

• Your general purpose is to inform. • Your aim is to enhance the knowledge and understanding of your listeners.• To give them information they did not have before.• Be clear, accurate and interesting.

TYPES OF INFORMATIVE SPEECHES

• How to save people from; How to buy a used car; how to write an effective job resume; how perfume is made…

• Cosmetic surgery; television viewing; Halloween; jobs interviews…

Speeches about objects

Speeches about processes

Speeches about events

Speeches about concepts

TYPES OF INFORMATIVE SPEECHES

• Principles of psychology; Islam; Extinction of dinosaurs…

• Objects include places, buildings, animals, people...

Speeches about objects

Speeches about processes

Speeches about events

Speeches about concepts

SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMENT

A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech.

GUIDELINES FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE

• .

EXAMPLE

• To inform my audience about the three major rituals in a Malay wedding.

• To inform my audience on how to make Italian cappuchino.

• To inform my audience the major reasons for the landslide occurrence at Bukit Antarabangsa.

• To inform my audience what to look for when buying a digital camera/handphone.

EXAMPLE

Topic: Witchcraft Practiced in the Malay Society

General purpose: To informSpecific purpose: To inform my audience the three major kinds of witchcraft practiced today in the Malay society.

EXAMPLE

Topic: Social IllsGeneral purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three major social ills facing the Malaysian society today.

EXAMPLE

Topic: Chinese New YearGeneral purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform my audience the three important traditions practiced during the Chinese New Year.

EXAMPLE

Topic: The Heimlih ManeuverGeneral purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform my

audience how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver.

EXAMPLE

Topic: The Truth About CaffeineGeneral purpose: To informSpecific purpose: I would like to inform the audience about some of the facts about caffeine and its effects on the human body.

A GOOD SPECIFIC-PURPOSE STATEMENT

a. Describes whom, you want to influence, what you want them to think or do, or how, when and where you want them to do it.

b. In a single statement: • “I want (whom) to (do what) (how, when,

where).”• “I want to show each person in this office

how to operate the new voice mail system correctly.”

• “I want everyone in this group to show me that he or she can operate a voice mail system correctly after my talk.”

SPECIFIC PURPOSE

• Expresses the goal you hope to achieve with your speech• Be realistic • Be able to measure success• Begin with “to” • Example: “to inform my audience of the three major kinds of witchcraft practiced today.

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC PURPOSE

a.Does my purpose meet the assignment?

b.Can I accomplish my purpose in the time allotted?

c. Is the purpose relevant to my audience?

d.Is the purpose too trivial for my audience?

e.Is the purpose too technical for my audience?

CENTRAL IDEA/THESIS STATEMENT

A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech.

Usually found in the introduction of your speech.

EXAMPLE …

Topic: Witchcraft Practised in the Malay Society

General purpose: To informSpecific purpose: To inform my audience the three major kinds of witchcraft practised today inthe Malay society.Central idea: The three major kinds of witchcraft

practised today in the Malay society are black magic (n), sorcery (n) and satanism (n).

EXAMPLE …

Topic: Social IllsGeneral purpose: To informSpecific purpose: To inform my audience

the three major social ills facing the Malaysian society today.

Central idea: The three major social ills facing the Malaysian society today are domestic violence, close proximity and sexual abuse.

EXAMPLE …

Topic: Chinese New YearGeneral purpose: To informSpecific purpose: To inform my audience the three

important traditions practised during the Chinese New Year.

Central idea: The three important traditions practised during the Chinese New Year are the

reunion dinner, ang pau giving and lion dance

performance .

EXAMPLE …

Topic: The Heimlih ManeuverGeneral purpose: To informSpecific purpose: To inform my audience how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Central idea: The effectiveness of the Heimlich

Maneuver depends on two factors – knowing the symptoms of a choking victim and knowing how to perform the maneuver to save the victim.

EXAMPLE …

• Topic “ The Truth About Caffeine.”• General purpose: To inform• Specific purpose: I would like to inform the

audience about some of the facts about caffeine and its effects on the human body.• Central idea: I am going to talk about the beneficial effects of caffeine, negative effects of caffeine and levels of safe caffeine consumption.

ASSESSMENT 5: WEEK 13-14

•Virtual Informative Speech•Outline (10%)•Virtual Presentation (20%)