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Tammera Stokes Rice, College of the Canyons, Version B
Adapted by Jamie C. Votraw, Professor of Communication Studies, Florida SouthWestern State College
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES |
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After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
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Figure 6.1: Princess Reema1
Introduction
You may have watched a YouTube tutorial to learn how to make or do something, like learning how to make a quiche or how to change a tire on your car. Or, you may have watched a TedTalk in one of your classes that provided factual information about the topic you are learning about, like Nancy Duarte’s 2011 presentation on “The secret structure of great talks.” (Google Duarte’s videos; you won’t regret it!) These are samples of informative speeches.
Speaking to Inform
When you inform an audience, your primary goal is to teach them about a topic that is important to you. In fact, there are likely scenarios where you acted as an informative speaker already. Have you ever given a factual presentation in a classroom? Have you ever shown a group of friends how to use a new app on your phone? Have you ever trained a new employee at work? These are all examples of informative speaking.
When delivering formal informative speeches, however, there are additional expectations for the composition and structure of your speech. For instance, you might begin your speech by telling a story to attract the attention of your audience, and you might ask them a personal question to demonstrate that the topic relates to them. Throughout this chapter, we discuss the purpose of informative speaking, types of informative speeches, organizational speech patterns, and lastly, describe how informative speaking is distinctly different than persuasive speaking.
Informative Speaking Goals
The most fundamental purpose of informative speaking is to teach an audience something. Remember, an informative speech is not opinion-based. It provides factual information that is meaningful to your audience. Thus, your primary purpose is to teach. You ARE NOT trying to change their beliefs or behaviors (that is persuasive speaking, which we cover in chapter 10). Nevertheless, as audience-centered speakers (recall Chapter 5), several audience-specific elements are necessary for effective informative speaking.
Audience Attention
Audience-centered speakers care about their audience and should work to gain and maintain the attention of their audience throughout the speech. In the introduction, it is imperative that public speakers incorporate an attention-grabbing strategy, such as an intriguing story (discussed in greater detail in Chapter 9), and explicitly relate the topic to the audience. When introducing the topic to an audience, effective informative speakers connect the topic to the audience by answering the question, why should you care?
Narratives, found from credible sources, are one way to keep your audience engaged and listening to your speech. Stories help provide a basis for your main points within the speech.