Informative Speaking

The Goals of Informative

Speaking

• To communicate knowledge

• To raise awareness

• To deepen understanding

• To empower listeners

• To clarify options for action

•NOT to advocate, persuade, influence or make a call to action

Types of Informative

Speeches

• Speeches of Definition

• Speeches of Description

• Speeches of Demonstration

• Speeches of Explanation

Speeches of Definition

•Answers the question, “What is…?”

• Example: “What is schizophrenia?

• Identify the essential qualities and meaning

Operational Definition

•Defining something by what it does

• “Schizophrenia is a psychological disorder that causes delusions, disorganized thinking, hallucinations and paranoid thoughts.”

Definition By Negation

•Defining something by stating what it is not

• “Schizophrenia is not the same as multiple personality disorder or bipolar disorder and schizophrenics are not psychopaths.”

Definition By Example

• Defining something by providing several concrete examples

• “In the movie, A Beautiful Mind, Russel Crow’s character (Dr. Nash) suffers from schizophrenia.”

• “Schizophrenics often hear voices that encourage them to harm themselves or others.”

Definition By Synonym

•Defining something by comparing it to something synonymous

• “Schizophrenia is a severe psychosis, but is very unique in its manifestation.”

Definition By Word Origin

•Defining something by illustrating its root meaning

• “The term schizophrenia comes from the Greek roots ‘skhizein’ meaning ‘to split’ and ‘phren’ which means ‘mind.’

Speeches of Description

• Should give the audience a clear picture of your subject

• Should offer a vivid portrayal

• You must create, vivid, picture-like realization in the minds of your listeners

•Colorful, clear, concise language is essential

Speeches of Demonstration

• “How to”

• Empower listeners to be able to perform the process themselves

• Follow a very clear sequential pattern

•Visual aids are very helpful!

Speeches of Explanation

•Offer information about topics that are abstract or complicated

• Should make use of:

• Simple, concrete language

• Analogies

• Examples

• Visual aids

• Definitions