Lesson II Informative Speech

I. Defining an Informative Speech

“An informative speech is one that one that intends to educate the audience on a particular
topic.”

Key Points
o This type of speech uses descriptions, demonstrations, vivid detail, and definitions to
explain a subject, person, or place the audience wants to understand.
o An informative speech makes a complex topic easy to understand or offers a different
point of v view.
o Unlike persuasive speeches, an informative speech relies less on pathos and more on
communicating information.
Purpose of the Speech:
 An informative speech is one that aims to inform the audience about a given topic.
Transferring Information:
 In an informative speech, how the information is presented will determine how the
audience receives it.
Key Terms
 Informative: Providing knowledge, especially useful or interesting information.
 Definition: A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation.

An informative speech is one that intends to educate the audience on a particular topic. There
are many different types of informative speeches, including speeches that describe the conditions of a
subject and speeches that instruct the audience on how to perform an action.

The main goal of an informative speech is to provide enlightenment regarding a specific topic
the audience knows nothing about. It may demonstrate how to use a new type of software, explain a
new concept in the field of science, describe an expedition an archaeologist took, or provide details
about a person of interest that the audience wants to learn more about.

The topics covered in an informative speech should help the audience to understand a subject
better and to remember what they learned later. The goal of this type of speech isn’t to sway the
audience to the speaker’s point of view. Instead, the details need to be laid before the audience so that
they can make an educated decision or learn about a subject they are interested in.

However, it is important for the speaker to think about how this information will be presented.
An informative speech should rely less on pathos, which is an appeal to the emotions of the audience
and an important component of persuasive speeches. Instead, an informative speech might rely on
visual aids, for example, in order to give the audience a visual representation of important information
contained in the speech. Providing the information in multiple forms during the speech increases the
likelihood that the audience will retain the information included in the speech.
II. Types of Informative Speeches

Key Points
o A descriptive speech helps the speaker create an accurate mental picture in the mind
of the audience regarding a specific person, place, or thing.
o A demonstrative speech describes how to perform an action.
o An explanatory speech explains the state of a topic.
o A definition speech explains a concept or theory regarding a topic.
Key Terms
 definition: A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation.
 description: A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation
in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

An informative speech is one that informs the audience. However, as should be clear, this general
definition demonstrates that there are many ways to inform an audience. Therefore, there are several
types of informative speeches.

The four types of informative speeches are definition, explanatory, descriptive, and
demonstrative.

a. A definition speech explains the meaning, theory, or philosophy of a specific topic that
the audience likely does not know much about. The topics may be general, such as a
sport, or highly specific, like a particular person. The main goal of this speech is to
educate the audience so that they understand the main points regarding this subject.

b. A demonstration speech explains how to do something. If you have ever sat through a
lecture where a teacher explained how to create a bibliography, then you have heard a
demonstration speech. Like most informative speeches, a how-to speech will likely use
visual examples that show the audience how to move from step to step through a
particular activity. Visualizations help the audience retain what each step looks like,
increasing the likelihood that they will retain the overall information of the speech.

c. An explanatory speech might give a description of the state of a given topic. As an

example, consider the types of speeches that are given at industry conferences. The
goal of these speeches is for the speaker to inform the audience on a particular part of
an industry. Commonly, these will also utilize visualizations that give the audience a
visual representation of the particular data or statistics contained in the speech. This is
one way to condense highly complex information into an easily retainable package for
the audience.

d. A descriptive speech creates a vivid picture in a person’s mind regarding an object,

person, animal, or place. An archaeologist who has discovered a new temple in South
 America or a paleontologist who believes they have found a new dinosaur may use a
descriptive speech to inform an interested audience about their recent discoveries.

As all of these types make clear, there are many ways that a given set of information can be
communicated in a speech. When deciding what type of informative speech, you want to write and
deliver, consider what you want the audience to know about your topic.

A. Subjects of Informative Speeches

Informative speeches can cover many subjects as long as they can be discussed without
persuading or altering the perceptions of the audience.

Key Points
 When choosing a subject of an informative speech consider whether you want
to describe, explain, demonstrate or educate the audience about the topic.
 The subject of an informative speech should be one that can be communicated
clearly to an audience.
 When choosing a subject for an informative speech, consider what is the
essential information that an audience should know about that subject.
Key Terms
 subject: A particular area of study.

There are many different subjects that can be used in informative speeches. College lectures about an
event in history or a historical figure would be considered informative speeches. Other examples of
subjects for an informative speech include an actor or actress, the field of advertising, a classic film the
history of Dracula, social networking websites, and what causes volcanoes.

Each of these examples lends itself to multiple types of information. For example, an informative speech
about a particular actor or actress would likely focus on providing a description of who the person is and
what movies or plays they have been in. Incorporating famous pictures or clips from works is a way of
increasing the audience’s retention of the information about the particular person.

An informative speech about the causes of a volcano could be considered a how-it-happens speech,
which could be similar to a how-to speech. A speech about volcanoes might include a model volcano,
describing how the model’s functioning is similar to processes in the real world.

More technical subjects, such as the field of advertising, require more technical information and specific
data relevant to the industry. Technical subjects especially, but really all informative speeches, benefit
from the use of visualizations, such as bar graphs or images. The choice of visual aids depends on what
information the speaker wants to inform the audience of. For example, a speech that intends to explore
the financial trends of political advertising over ten years would benefit from a bar graph. However, a
speech that is informing the audience on how political advertisements have functionally changed over
time would benefit from actual examples of ad campaigns.
In order to differentiate an informative speech from other types of speeches, it is important to stick to
the basic facts of the subject. No personal biases, unsubstantiated information, or popular opinion
should be included when stating the main ideas of the topic. The goal is to educate the audience on the
facts, not to provide the speaker’s opinion. When crafting an informative speech look at the subject
carefully and eliminate any potential statements that have prejudice or might persuade the audience.

III. Effective Informative Speaking

The Goals of an Informative Speech

An effective informative speech should be driven by a series of goals.

Key Points
 One of the goals of an informative speech is to enhance the understanding of
the audience.
 Another goal of an informative speech is to maintain the interest of the
audience.
 A final goal of an informative speech is for the audience to remember the
speech.
Key Terms
 goal: A result that one is attempting to achieve.
 inform: To communicate knowledge to others.

An effective informative speech requires the speaker to aim for a series of goals. And similar to a soccer
match, hitting these goals increases the likelihood of a successful speech. The main goals for an
informative speech are to help explain a specific subject and to help the audience remember the
knowledge later.

Setting Goals: You need to determine a series of goals in order to create a successful
informative speech.

One of the goals, perhaps the most essential goal that drives all informative speeches, is for the speaker
to inform the audience about a particular topic. In order to aim for this specific goal, a speaker should
consider how best to package the complex understanding that they have cultivated of the topic, from
personal experience and research, into an easily communicable form for the audience.

A final, significant goal an effective informative speech is to make the audience remember. Most
memorable speeches have emotional appeals that audiences continue to talk about long after the
speech is delivered, and sometimes even after the life of the speaker. To make sure that the information
contained in a speech is remembered by the audience, the deliverer of an informative speech should
combine organization, repetition and focused visualizations to increase the effectiveness of the speech
and the likelihood that the audience will leave informed.

One way to help an audience remember the details of an informative speech is to maintain the interest
of the audience. The challenge of an informative speech is delivering information in a neutral way that
does not bore the audience. Unlike persuasive speeches, which rely heavily on emotional appeal,
informative speeches have to demonstrate why the audience should care about the information
contained in the speech without compromising a neutral tone.

IV. Scoping Your Speech

Make sure that only the most relevant information is including in the speech, so the scope of
your speech does not become too wide.

Key Points
 Every piece of information in a speech should relate to the speech topic,
purpose, and thesis simultaneously.
 Audiences have a hard time following or understanding speeches that are too
broad in scope (that is, speeches that include too much irrelevant or
tangential information).
 By keeping all of the information relevant as he or she develops your speech,
the speaker’s job becomes easier by keeping all supporting information on
point.
Key Terms
 scope: The extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or
to which it is relevant.

Some speeches contain such a wide range of information that the audience is left wondering what the
speaker was trying to communicate. A speech with a scope that is too broad complicates the audience’s
ability to retain information. Properly scoping your speech allows the speaker to narrow down what the
speech will cover, thus increasing its ability to inform the audience.

Scope refers to the extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is
relevant. The key word here is relevance; the speech should not go in so many different directions that
none of those directions relate to the original purpose and thesis of the speech.

One way to effectively scope a speech is to think of the question: “What information do I want my
audience to know at the end of the speech?” Use the answer to this question as a focal point for
everything else to be included in your speech. Everything included then must be relevant to your
purpose and thesis. Anything superfluous or extraneous is only going to broaden the scope and take the
speech away from that ultimate goal.

The evidence and supporting arguments should not only be related tangentially; there should be direct
lines of relevance to every piece of information included in your speech.

Scoping a speech is not only helpful for the audience, but is also to the benefit of the speaker. Keeping
the speech on point and focused makes it easier for the speaker to build more credible, reinforced
arguments. By narrowing the scope of the speech, the speaker improved the speech’s ability to
effectively communicate essential information to the audience.
V. Tailor Complexity to Your Audience
An important component of effective informative speaking is knowing how to tailor the complexity of
the speech to the audience.

Key Points
 Consider the audience that will be hearing your speech.
 Tailoring the complexity of the speech to your audience means considering
how best they receive information.
 Considering how much information your audience already knows should help
you tailor the complexity of your speech.
Key Terms
 complexity: The state of being complex; intricacy; entanglement.

Overview
The main goals for an informative speech are to help explain a specific subject and to help the audience
remember the knowledge later. To achieve these goals, a speaker should consider how best to package
the complex understanding that they have cultivated of the topic, from personal experience and
research, into an easily communicable form for the audience.

Complexity
One way to deliver an effective informative speech and ensure that the audience leaves your speech
informed is to tailor the complexity of the speech to the specific audience.

Never presume that your audience has a lot of background knowledge on your subject, but also don’t
assume they know nothing. The audience is an integral part of public speaking; not only will they hear
your speech, but they should be an important component that informs the writing of the speech as well.
Consider, for example, if you are preparing to deliver an informative speech on the topic of cloning to an
audience of geneticists. Their professional training will have given them an extensive understanding of
DNA. Because of this, you would want to tailor the complexity of the speech to match the knowledge
that the audience already possesses, meaning that the speech could contain lots of technical terms with
little explanation because the audience will already understand what those terms mean.

Conversely, consider delivering a speech on the same topic to an audience of college students. This
audience, even if they have taken biology classes, will not possess the same expertise knowledge that
professionals do. Therefore, you would want to tailor the complexity of your speech to the knowledge of
the students, using fewer technical terms and more general explanations.

VI. Demonstrate the Relevance of the Topic

Make the topic of your speech relevant to your audience by articulating why they should care about
your chosen topic.

key Points
 You can make a topic relevant by choosing a timely topic.
  Another way to make a topic relevant is to tell the audience why they should
care about the particular subject of your speech.
 Making a topic relevant for your audience increases the likelihood that they
will remember the information contained in your speech.
Key Terms
 relevant: Not out of date; current.

Overview
Informative Speaking is a speech meant to inform the audience. This speech can take on topics ranging
from the newest, high-tech inventions from around the world that hope to cure cancer, to more light-
hearted topics. The topic should be one that is timely and interesting.

In order to improve the likelihood that the audience will walk away informed by your speech, you should
make your topic relevant. The topic of an informative speech should be one that is timely. This means
that what was a good topic for a speech for Teddy Roosevelt is probably no longer going to be a good
topic for a speech given now. A relevant topic is one that is appropriate for the contemporary period.
This is because the information that an informative speech contains should be the most recent, whether
this information is statistical data or just the state of the conversation around a particular topic.

Another way to consider how to make the topic of a speech relevant is to consider the audience who
will hear your speech. Ask yourself, “What topic would the audience find interesting or useful?” If you
feel committed to a particular topic, then begin thinking about how you can demonstrate why the topic
is relevant to your audience. Doing this requires that you articulate why they should care about your
chosen topic. But remember that an informative speech should try to communicate this in an unbiased
way that does not rely heavily on emotional appeals.

VII. Make Connections

Make connections among your ideas and with audience interests; use transitions, signposts, internal
previews, and summaries when speaking.

Key Points
 Make connections among your ideas so you can connect the ideas into
meaningful groups for your main points.
 Make connections between your interests and the audience interests to
motivate attention during your speech.
 Make connections with transitions to show relationships and join ideas
together.
 Make connections with signpost transitions to help the audience organize
ideas by numbering the main points, such as first, second, etc.
 Make connections by using previews before main points and use internal
summaries to connect one idea to what is coming next.
Key Terms
 connection: The point at which two or more things are connected; a feeling of
understanding and ease of communication between two or more people.
  signpost: A particular type of transition in the form of a brief statement that
indicates where the speaker is in the speech, such as “first” and “finally,” or
that calls attention to a key idea, such as “now remember this.”
 transitions: Words or phrases that allow the reader to understand how
adjacent parts of a communication are connected.

In order to make your informative speech effective, you can think of yourself as the old- time
switchboard operator and make connections!

A switchboard staff making connections in 1979.

Connecting Information: In your speech, you should make connections between pieces of information
for your audience.

Connect ideas and content when preparing the speech. After researching and collecting information for
your speech, you will need to connect the ideas and different pieces of information into an organized
message. You will group similar ideas together and connect them to form the main points of your
speech. In addition to making connections between ideas and pieces of information, one of the most
important connections is that between the speech and the audience.

Connect the topic to audience interests. There are many ways to establish this fundamental connection.
One of the ways is to explain why the topic of the speech is important. This might occur in the
introduction of the speech where you lay out what your speech will say. In addition to laying out the
trajectory of the speech, you would include an additional explanation of why the topic is relevant to the
audience. Another way to make the connection between the speech and the audience is to express your
own interest in the topic. Demonstrating your own excitement could help the audience connect with
you and your ideas.

Connect the ideas in the speech with transitions. Transitions are certain words, expressions, or other
devices that give text or speech greater cohesion by making it more explicit, or signaling how ideas are
meant by the writer or speaker to relate to one another. Transitions can signal addition, example,
contrast, comparison, concession, result, summary, time (often chronologically), and place. The
following are examples of transitional words and phrases: last, first, second, next, but, on the other
hand, moreover, in addition, furthermore, however, to begin with, otherwise, conclusively, lastly,
secondly, thirdly, most importantly, in conclusion , to end with, first of all, last of all, to sum it up, last
but not least, lastly, finally, for example, on top of all, ultimately, or nevertheless.

Connect the important ideas with signposts. Signposts are a particular type of transition in the form of a
brief statement that indicates where the speaker is in the speech, such as first and finally. You use
signpost transitions to help the audience organize ideas when you number the main points, such as first,
second, etc. You will also use signposts transitions to help the audience remember ideas by telling them
what is important by directing their attention to an idea or concept. For example, you might saynow get
this, this is really important, or now remember this when you want to signpost the attention of the
audience.
Connect ideas with internal previews and summaries. Often you will devote more time to connecting
ideas than a simple word or phrase. You may provide a short introductory preview of what you are going
to be talking about in order to prepare the audience for what will come next. Additionally, you may want
to summarize what you have just said to connect one main point to the next before you start talking
about your next point.

VIII. Tailor Abstraction to Your Audience

Tailor abstraction to the specific content and the audience level of understanding.

Key Points
 The ability to simplify experiences with a word makes it easier to
communicate, but it also makes us lose the connection to the specific meaning
that we want to convey through the abstract wording.
 When you want the audience to make a concrete connection to their direct
experience, remember to come down to earth on the abstraction ladder. You
can move up the ladder again to talk about boarder concepts.
 Your objective when choosing words is not to avoid abstract general words
altogether, but rather to avoid using them when your audience needs more
specific, concrete connections to what you are saying.
Key Terms
 abstraction: The act of comparing commonality between distinct objects and
organizing using those similarities.

IX. Abstraction and the Abstraction Ladder

Abstraction is the process of perceiving similarities from our direct, specific observations in the universe,
organizing the similarities, and then assigning a word label for the more general concept. The ability to
simplify experiences with a word makes it easier to communicate, but it also makes us lose the
connection to the specific meaning that we want to convey through the abstract wording.

Abstraction, the Process

I see a number of different objects and I see something similar about all of them, let’s say the color. I
take this one characteristic, the color, and give it a label, for example, red. Here I have a direct
observable experience with the objects and I see the color in them. I abstract the color and give it the
label red. For you my label red is not connected with the objects I saw, but you may see similar objects
and learn to assign the same label, red, to the color. We group together all the similar experiences to
form a higher-level concept, which includes all the specific, individual observations we are engaging in
abstraction.

Abstraction Ladder, the Concept

S. I. Hayakawa explained the concept using a ladder. Hayakawa used his cow Bessie to illustrate the four
levels of abstraction from highest level four at the top to lowest at the bottom.
Ladder: Think of abstraction as a ladder. The most specific and direct
experiences are at the bottom, while each step above is more
abstract.

4 – Wealth
3 – Farm Asset
2 – Cattle
1 – Bessie, my cow

Let’s look at another example with clothing. Level one is very specific,
such as Levi 501. Moving up to level two, you have noun categories,
such as clothing. Moving up a level, you have a broad noun class or
group names such as manufactured goods or industry. Finally, at the
top level, you have even more abstract concepts such as power, beauty, and casualness.

Almost anything can be described either in relatively abstract, general words or in relatively concrete,
specific ones. You may say that you are writing on a piece of electronic equipment, or that you are
writing on a laptop computer. You may say that your company produces consumer goods, or that it
makes cell phones. When groups of words are ranked according to degree of abstraction, they form
hierarchies.

Tailor the level of abstraction to the specific content and the audience level of understanding.

X. Using Concrete, Specific Words for Clarity

In general, as you move from one level to another while speaking, you will tailor the level of abstraction
to the specific speech content and the audience level of understanding. You can increase the clarity, and
therefore the usability, of your speaking by using concrete, specific words rather than abstract, general
ones. Concrete words help your audience understand precisely what you mean. If you say that you want
to produce television shows for a younger demographic segment, they won’t know whether you mean
teenagers or toddlers. If you say that you study natural phenomena, your audience won’t know whether
you mean volcanic eruptions or the migrations of monarch butterflies. Such vagueness can hinder
audience from getting the information they need in order to make decisions and take action. When you
want the audience to make a concrete connection to their direct experience, remember to come down
to earth on the abstraction ladder. You can move up the ladder again to talk about boarder concepts.

For example, you will draw heavily on level one to create images of specific people, places, or things in
the minds of your audience. You may move up and down the level of abstraction as needed. For
example, if you are talking about a top-level abstraction such as transportation, you may need to make it
real for the audience by describing actual means of transportation such as your green mountain bike for
city use or your blue and silver BMW for longer trips.

Abstract and general terms do have important uses for different audiences and occasions. For example,
in scientific, technical, and other specialized fields, speakers often need to make general points, describe
the general features of a situation, or provide general guidance for action.
Use abstract and specialized terminology to communicate messages economically.

Specialized, abstract terminology only works when your audience will understand them. You can use the
specialized terminology of a particular profession or group if you know that they already have specific
connections to the more abstract terminology. With audiences who understand the abstractions, the
technical meanings can communicate messages economically with fewer words than if you started with
specific instances at the bottom of the abstraction ladder.

Your objective when choosing words is not to avoid abstract general words altogether, but rather to
avoid using them when your audience needs more specific, concrete connections to what you are
saying.

XI. Make It Memorable

Making your speech memorable is a way to improve its ability to inform the audience.

Key Points
 Use visual aids to help make your speech memorable.
 Repeat key points of your speech to make it more memorable.
 Making your speech memorable is important because it increases the
likelihood that the audience will walk away informed.
Key Terms
 memorable: Worthy to be remembered; very important or remarkable.
Remember that the goal of an informative speech is to inform the audience.
Ideally, not only are they informed while you are speaking, but they actually
retain that information after you have left the podium. In order for this to
happen, you have to make your speech memorable.

An audience clapping at a conference.

Memorable Speech: Making your informative speech memorable increases the likelihood that your
audience will retain the information.

There are multiple ways to make your speech memorable. One way to do this is to repeat the key
information that you want the audience to remember. This means repeating important information,
within reason, throughout the speech. Lay out the important keys in the introduction of the speech,
reiterate them in the body of the speech, and then repeat them again in the conclusion.

Another way to make your speech memorable is to use visual aids. Visual aids have the advantage of
providing the information of your speech in an easily digestible form. In addition, visualizations have the
ability to be uniquely captivating. Having an attractive visual can get the attention of the audience and
improve the chances that they will remember the information contained in the visualization.
Though there are many ways to make an informative speech memorable, another way is to let yourself
be engaged in the presentation of the speech. Demonstrating your own excitement by the speech’s
topic has the possibility of drawing in the audience. If the speaker seems uninterested in the speech,
then why should the audience be engaged? Therefore, let yourself be absorbed and excited by the
speech, which might lure in the audience and make the speech more memorable.

These are just a few ways to make your speech memorable. Remember, the goal of making an
informative speech memorable is to increase the likelihood that your audience will walk away informed.
Using visual aids and repetition of key points are two strategies to use in order to deliver an effective
informative speech.

XII. Utilizing Devices to Enhance Audience Understanding

Visual aids, microphones, video screens, and/or a podium can help enhance audience understanding.

Key Points
 Visual aids such as graphs, handouts, slide show presentations, and objects can
help audiences understand complicated subjects. Many people learn visually
and need information provided in this context, as well as orally, to enhance
learning.
 A podium can help the presenter provide the audience with necessary
information on a topic by offering a place for the speaker to have cue cards or
scripts.
 A microphone is a good way to make sure that everyone in the audience hears
the presentation properly. Wireless headsets allow the speaker to amplify the
presentation while moving about the audience or reviewing visual aids.
 A video screen is a good way to make sure the audience can see the entire
presentation in a large venue.
Key Terms
 podium: A platform on which to stand, as when conducting an orchestra,
preaching at a pulpit, or delivering a speech.

Utilize Devices to Enhance Audience Understanding

Speakers at the re: publica XI visual language conference are showcasing their designs by using a large-
screen digital projector.
Visual Aid: Using a visual aid, like a large-screen digital projector, helps inform the audience.

Visual Aids
 Many people need the assistance of visual material to understand complicated
topics. Visual aids help the speaker reinforce the information provided in the
speech to increase absorption and retention of the material. Visual aids can
include objects, models, handouts, graphs, charts, photos, and slide show
presentations. With visual aids, a speaker needs to make sure they adequately
enhance the presentation without causing a distraction for the audience.
 Podium/Rostrum
 A podium can help an audience understand a speech. It allows the speaker to
have notes or scripts to make sure the important information is covered
regarding the subject matter. Additional information can be included in the
notes so that if the audience has any questions the speaker can make sure they
provide a complete answer.

Amplification
 Amplification is important to make sure that the entire audience can hear the
speech properly. Some large auditoriums and amphitheaters are designed to
assist acoustics. Still, a microphone is a beneficial addition to a speaker’s toolkit.
With the advancements in wireless technology, a headset can also be used,
enabling the speaker to move about during the presentation, go over visual aids,
or enter the audience during the question and answer session.

Video Screens
 Video screens are beneficial for an audience, especially those who are seated in
a large venue. The screens can help the audience see the speaker and the visual
aids better, especially if they are in the back of the room or off to the far right or
far left of the stage. Video screens are often available at modern conference
centers and auditoriums that can be synced with presentation devices.

With the addition of visual aids, podiums, microphones, and video screens, a presenter can ensure that
the audience is able to see, hear, and understand the material properly. When determining the type of
visual aids needed for a speech, the speaker needs to consider the subject matter, audience, and venue
so that the right materials are used to enhance audience understanding.