GE1906
Varieties of Public Speaking B. Guidelines in Making an Informative Speech
I. Speaking to Inform
A. Types of Informative Speech
1. Definition
This type of speech goes more profound than the
dictionary meaning of a concept by giving an extended
definition of it. According to Gregory (2018), “while a
dictionary definition would only settle lightly on the
listeners’ brains and probably vanish overnight, an
extended definition is likely to stick firmly.” One of the
effective ways of relaying the extended definition of a
thing or a concept is through comparing and contrasting
it with a similar item.
2. Description
This refers to the use of words to paint a vivid picture
of a person, place, object, or event (Gregory, 2018). The
following patterns could be used in describing the
subject of the speech: spatial, chronological, and topical.
3. Process
The process speech aims to (1) demonstrate how to
perform a process so that the audience can use the skills
afterward or (2) provide information on how something
is done or how something works so that the audience can
understand it.
4. Explanation
This speech is focused on giving an in-depth
explanation of a particular topic. It aims to explain “how”
or “why” something occurs rather than just describing it.
For this type of speech, a speaker should conduct in-
depth research using books, articles, and interviews
rather than relying on experiences.
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1. Relate the speech to the listeners’ self-interest
To maintain their attentiveness, find anecdotes,
illustrations, or video clips that would match the
listeners’ needs and interests.
2. Make the information enjoyable by going beyond
generalities to give lots of specifics
General situations and facts are dull and vague. To
make a speech lively, use generalities sparingly. Each
time a generality is offered, follow it with lots of specifics,
such as examples and anecdotes.
3. Avoid information overload
Give what is essential only. Two to three examples
are enough to justify or clarify a point that you made.
4. Tailor information for each audience
Whenever you are called to speak, never assume
that the listeners possess the same knowledge as yours.
Find out in advance what the audience knows and does
not know and adapt the information accordingly.
Whenever necessary, define words, explain concepts,
and give background information.
5. Use familiar to explain the unfamiliar
This technique goes hand in hand with speech
customization. Use comparisons, contrasts, and
analogies to simplify the information that you share.
6. Help listeners remember vital information
The speaker should use repetition, presentation aids,
and memory aids to increase the retention of concepts
and ideas (e.g., SMART for specific, measurable,
attainable, realistic, time-bound).
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II. Speaking to Persuade
Persuasion refers to the process of influencing, changing, or
reinforcing what people think, believe, or do (Gregory, 2017). An
effective persuasive speaker should identify the motive need of
the listeners and use the correct motivational appeal (German,
2017).
A motive need is a desire to meet a social want (e.g., sense
of belongingness) or a biological urge (e.g., relief from pain or
hunger). The stronger the need, the more compelling it is for a
person to do something about his/her situation. These motive
needs were grouped into clusters, which signifies the three (3)
fundamental human motivation: affiliation, achievement, and
power.
Motivational Appeals Motive Clusters
Affiliation Companionship, conformity,
deference/dependence,
sympathy/generosity, loyalty,
tradition, reverence/worship, sexual
attraction
Achievement Acquisition/Saving, success/display,
prestige, pride, adventure/change,
perseverance, creativity, curiosity,
personal enjoyment
Power Aggression, authority/dominance,
defense, fear,
autonomy/independence
Table 1. Motivational Appeals and Motive Clusters
The said motive clusters help develop a motivational appeal
that would result in either persuading the listeners to take the
side of the speaker or act on his/her behalf. But remember that
motivational appeals work best when these are associated with
the needs and desires of the listeners.
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A. Guidelines in Persuasive Speaking
1. Create a strategy to win over the listeners
An organized presentation backed up with
compelling pieces of evidence that are relevant to the
audience could make the listeners adopt the speaker’s
view or take the proposed course of action.
2. Know the subject thoroughly
The speaker will have a little chance of persuading
the listeners if s/he is not perceived as knowledgeable
and competent in the topic that s/he is talking about.
Develop as much expertise as possible by doing careful,
extensive research.
3. Maintain a high standard of ethical behavior
Never manipulate and deceive the audience. Only
present facts and figures that are accurate and truthful;
do not exaggerate or use half-truths. Be straightforward
in revealing to the audience the actual goals and motives
and disclose any involvement in the subject matter.
B. Types of Persuasive Speech
1. Speech to influence thinking
This type of speech aims to convince people to adopt
the speaker’s position. If the people already agree with
the speaker’s idea even before s/he speaks, his/her goal
would be changed to reinforce what the audience
already believes.
On the other hand, the speech of refutation is a
subcategory of speech to influence thinking. In this
speech, the speaker aims to disprove arguments or ideas
that s/he views as false.
2. Speech to motivate action
This speech attempts to get people to take action
either by starting a behavior, continuing a behavior, or
stopping a behavior.
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III. Speaking on Special Occasions
A. Speech of Introduction
1. Definition
It is designed for one speaker to introduce another
to an audience. Remember that this speech was made to
help the speaker and audience get interested in each
other.
2. Guidelines
• Interview the speaker in advance
This is done to get to know more about the
speaker and his/her speech. It could also spare the
emcee or person who will introduce the speaker’s
mistakes, such as mispronounced names and
preferred honorifics.
• Set the proper tone
Introducing the speaker help set the tone for the
speech to follow. Use a humorous tone for a
humorous speech and a serious tone for a serious
speech.
• Keep it short
Keep the introduction under three (3) minutes.
Remember that the audience wants to hear the
speaker and not the introducer.
• Avoid exaggeration
Do not exaggerate the speaker’s abilities or
credentials. This will build up unrealistic
expectations in the audience and would result in
anxiousness on the part of the speaker as they are
pressured to live up to the excessive praise.
B. Speech of Presentation
A speech of presentation is an address designed to
present an award or honor formally. This type of speech
should contain the following elements: (1) background
information that would help the audience understand the
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GE1906
purpose of the award, (2) criteria used for selecting the
recipient, and (3) achievements of the recipient.
Humor has no place in this type of speech, as it would
appear that the recipient is being belittled. It is also
customary to withhold the recipient’s name until the very
end of the speech as a way of building suspense.
C. Speech of Acceptance
The recipient makes this type of speech of an award or
honor. Gregory (2018) gave few guidelines in delivering this
speech: (1) thank those who helped in making the
recognition possible, (2) thank the organization that gave the
award and recognize the work it is doing, and (3) be brief.
D. Speech of Tribute
It is a speech to praise or celebrate a person, a group, an
institution, or an event. A speech of tribute usually conveys
gratitude, respect, or admiration and should be entirely
positive.
1. Wedding speeches
Done after the formal ceremony and signals the
onset of the reception, this speech wishes the new
couple health and good luck in their marriage. Wedding
speeches are usually ended with a toast.
2. Toasts
A toast is a short tribute spoken as glasses are raised
to salute people, occasions, or things. Toasts are offered
at graduation celebrations, family get-togethers, class
reunions, retirement dinners, wedding celebrations, and
many other events.
3. Eulogies
It is a speech of praise for a friend, relative, or
colleague who has died. One should keep in mind that a
eulogy should focus on the significance of the person’s
life and deeds rather than a mere recital of biographical
facts. It should be dignified, but appropriate humor can
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also be used to share fond memories of the deceased. References:

E. Entertaining Speech German, K. (2017). Principles of public speaking (19th ed.). New York: Routledge.
Gregory, H. (2018). Public speaking for college. New York: McGraw-Hill.
1. Definition
It aims to provide amusement or diversion for the
audience. It can be given in any setting, but it is often
given after a meal, hence called “after-dinner speech.”
An entertaining speech can contain a few elements
of persuasion and information; however, the primary
goal is not to persuade or inform but to create an
enjoyable experience for the audience.
2. Techniques for Entertaining
Among the few techniques to entertain the audience
are injecting humor using funny anecdotes, examples,
and quotations, and amusing narratives. Listed below are
the tips on how to inject fun in an entertaining speech:
a. Use humor only when it is appropriate.
b. Tell jokes at your own risk.
c. Use low-key humor.
d. Always relate humor to the subject matter.
e. Never use humor that could offend any person
in the audience.
f. Never let your face show that you expect
laughter or smiles.
g. Consider using self-deprecating humor in some
situations.
F. Inspirational Speech
It is an address that aims to stimulate listeners to a high
level of feeling or activity. The inspirational speech is similar
to persuasive speech, with their purposes often overlapping.
The main difference is that in the inspirational speech, you
devote yourself almost solely to stirring emotions, while in
the persuasive speech, you use emotional appeals as just one
of many techniques.

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