This chapter discusses informative speaking. It outlines the goals of informative speaking which are to meet the audience's informational needs by gauging their knowledge, choosing an appropriate topic and approach, and making the topic relevant. It also discusses keeping the speech objective and providing truthful, reliable information without plagiarism. The chapter describes eight categories for informative speech topics and four approaches: descriptions, demonstrations, definitions, and explanations. It provides guidelines for informative speeches, such as arousing curiosity, choosing a clear structure, emphasizing key points, and not overwhelming the audience.

1. Chapter 15
Informative Speaking

2. • Describe the goals of informative
speaking
• List and describe each of the eight
categories of informative speeches
• Outline the four major approaches to
informative speeches
• Employ strategies to make your
audience hungry for information
• Structure your speech to make it
easy to listen to
Chapter Outcomes

3. The Goals of
Informative Speaking
• Meeting the Audience’s Informational
Needs
– Gauge what they already know.
– Decide on an appropriate approach.
– Make the topic relevant to each member
of the audience.

4. The Goals of
Informative Speaking
(cont.)
• Informing, Not Persuading
– Keep the speech objective.
• Speaking Appropriately and Ethically
– Provide relevant, reliable
information.
– Be honest and truthful.
– Avoid plagiarism.

5. Topics for Informative
Presentations
• Points to consider when choosing
your topic:
– Make your topic relevant to both the
audience and yourself.
– Make sure you have some knowledge of
your topic.
– Make sure your topic does not lend
itself to persuasion.

6. Topics for
Informative
Presentations (cont.)
• People
• Places
• Objects and phenomena
• Events
• Processes
• Concepts
• Issues
• Plans and policies

7. Approaches to
Conveying
Information
• Descriptions:
– Paint mental pictures for listeners
• Demonstrations:
– Answer “how” questions
– Combine physical demonstration with
explanatory
narration

8. Approaches to
Conveying
Information (cont.)
• Definitions: provide answers to
“what” questions
– Operational definition
– Definition by negation
– Definition by example
– Definition by synonym
– Definition by etymology

9. Approaches to
Conveying
Information (cont.)
• Explanations: answer “why” or
“what does that mean?” questions
– Clarify concepts with elucidating
explanations
– Explain the big picture with quasi-
scientific explanations
– Challenge intuition with
transformative explanations

10. Guidelines for
Informative Speeches
• Create Information Hunger
– Arouse curiosity
– Work your topic

11. Guidelines for
Informative Speeches
(cont.)
• Make It Easy
– Choose clear organization and
structure.
– Emphasize important points.
– Don’t overwhelm the audience.
– Build on prior knowledge.
– Define your terms.
– Use appropriate supporting material.
– Use appropriate presentation aids.