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Informative Speech (Object)
General Purpose: To inform about an object.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about George Washington, the first president
of the United States of America.
Thesis Statement: George Washington’s ability to handle difficult circumstances in war
and government grew out of experiences in his early life and his dedication to detail.
Introduction
I. Attention Getter: Despite what your teachers may have told you, George
Washington never chopped down a cherry tree and he did tell quite a few
lies when shaping the founding of this nation.
A. Who wouldn’t when faced with the series of events he confronted
throughout his life?
II. Thesis/Introduce Topic: In fact, George Washington’s ability to handle
difficult circumstances in government grew out of experiences in his life
and his dedication to detail, not some mythic promise to always tell the
truth.
III. Preview: As a young adult in the British colony of Virginia, Washington
sought the respect and pride that accompanied an aristocrat, but that desire
almost led him to bankruptcy and forced him to pay closer attention to the
economic environment around him in future business dealings.
A. Later, when fighting the Revolution he understood how important
seemingly simple tasks were to having any hope for success in fighting
the British.
B. Finally, Washington during the war Washington began to recognize
the talents of others, and so he delegated authority and cultivated
strong allies within his command to help him accomplish wheat
needed to be done.
[Transition: Throughout his life Washington exhibited that vision all leaders must have,
and it eventually served him well when he became our first president.]
Body
I. Main point: Washington almost never became president, or even fought
in the Revolution because as a young aspiring Virginia gentleman he
almost bankrupted himself.
A. Sub-point: Washington inherited most of his land from his family
and friends, and the bulk of it was farmland in Virginia.
B. Sub-point: Like many upper class aristocratic farmers in his day,
Washington farmed mostly tobacco and had it sold in England, but the
profits were not large.
C. Sub-point: Even in the face of limited profits Washington paid a lot
of money for dozens of dessert glasses, a hogskin hunting saddle, a
custom made mahogany case with sixteen decanters engraved
stationary, and many other expensive items he barely could afford
(Ellis, 2004, 49).
D. Sub-point: The costs got so high that in 1763 Washington almost ran
out of money and was notified by his broker that he was short 1,800
pounds and interest would begin to accrue immediately (Ellis, 2004,
50).
1. Sub-sub-point: Quickly Washington realized he would never
be able to pull himself out of debt because of the system, and
he blamed the British Empire for his problems.
