Speech

Chapter 13: Speeches to Inform

Overview

The purpose of an informative speech is usually to give instructions, provide facts, or clarify ideas. It is often challenging to give an informative speech in an interesting, engaging manner. Some types of informative speeches include the public lecture, the status report, the briefing, the fireside chat, and the chalk talk. There are six characteristics, or Cs, that will make any type of informative speech more effective. The speech must be clear, concise, complete, correct, and concrete, and it must connect with the audience’s background and attitudes.

When deciding on a topic to present, you should review your personal experience, observe your surroundings, and survey your listeners' interests. Once you have decided on a topic, you should narrow it down in terms of time, space, and scope. A good way to start this narrowing process is to state your thesis and proceed to support it with facts, anecdotes, quotes, definitions, and descriptions. Another way to enhance your presentation is through the use of audio and visual aids such as photographs, graphic representations, videotapes, and sound recordings. You can also use special computer software to create a multimedia presentation. Always be prepared to deliver your speech without multimedia aids just in case there is a technical problem with the equipment.