Informative speaking involves sharing knowledge with others to create shared understanding. The goal is to help listeners understand, retain, and apply the information by answering who, what, when, where, why, how, and how does questions. There are three main types of informative speeches: descriptions which create a clear picture, explanations which clarify issues and ideas, and demonstrations which clarify processes. Effective informative speaking requires choosing a topic the audience doesn't already know and relating it to their needs while using straightforward language.