INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

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CHAPTER 13

• INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

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I. CATEGORIZING TYPES OF INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
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A. Content

• 1. OBJECTS Tangible (seen/touched) E.g. spider
  monkey, computer software
• 2. PROCESSES Series of actions that leads to a
  result. E.g. time management, process of aging
• 3. EVENTS Notable event. E.g. 9/11, JFKs death
• 4. CONCEPTS Beliefs, theories, ideas, and
  principles. E.g. Catholicism, evolution

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B. Purpose

• 1. Description
• 2. Explanations
• 3. Instructions

• 1. Straightforward, creates word picture
• 2. Clarify ideas concepts, WHY?
• 3. Teach something in a logical, step-by-step
  manner, HOW?

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• II. INFORMATIVE vs.
• PERSUASIVE
• TOPICS

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• A. Informative speaking is noncontroversial
• B. Informative speaking is not intended to change
  the audience attitudes.

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• III. TECHNIQUES OF
  INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

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A. DEFINE A SPECIFIC INFORMATIVE PURPOSE

• 1. Informative purpose statement
• Worded to stress audience knowledge, ability, or
  both
• After listening to my speech, my audience will
  be able to discuss the idea of dramatic
  structure.
• Specific verbs Analyze, apply, list, perform,
  review (p. 401)
• 2. Clear thesis
• The purpose statement will lead to your thesis
  statement.
• E.g. The 5 components of dramatic structure-
  conflict, rising tension, climax, resolution, and
  denouncement- are found in every effective form
  of storytelling.

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B. INFORMATION HUNGER

• 1. Def. A reason for your audience members to
  want to listen to and learn from your speech.
• Appeal to your audiences needs!

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C. MAKE IT EASY TO LISTEN

• 1. Limit the amount of information you present
• 2. Use familiar info. to increase understanding
  of the unfamiliar
• 3. Use simple info. to build up understanding of
  complex information

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D. EMPHASIZE IMPORTANT POINTS

• 1. Repetition
• Ineffective if
• (1) you are redundant w/ obvious, trivial, or
  boring points.
• 2. Signposts
• Def. Words or phrases that emphasize the
  importance of what you are about to say.
• What I am about to say is really important

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E. USE A CLEAR ORGANIZATION

• 1. Introduction
• a. Establish the importance of your topic to
  your audience
• b. Preview the thesis, the 1 central idea you
  want your audience to remember.
• c. Preview your main points.

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2. The body

• a. Limit your division of main points to 3 to 5
  subpoints.
• b. Use transitions, internal summaries, and
  internal previews.
• c. Order your points in the way that they will
  be most easy to understand and remember.

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3. The conclusion

• a. Review your main points
• b. Remind your audience members of the
  importance of your topic to them.
• c. Provide your audience w/ a memory aid.

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F. USE CLEAR LANGUAGE

• 1. Simple vocabulary
• 2. Avoid jargon