CHAPTER 9
INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
Chapter Objective: Although it might not generate the emotional reactions of persuasive
speaking, informative speaking is crucial for effective presentations of all kinds. Problems in
conveying and understanding information plague our daily lives, as anyone whose order was
misinterpreted at a restaurant can attest. More importantly, the ability to accurately convey
crucial information is a major requirement of any serious professional career. In some
circumstances, such as the health care industry or transportation, accurate and precise message
transmission might be a life and death concern.
To use this chapter most effectively, make sure students know how an informative presentation
differs from a persuasive speech. Students should also be able to list and discuss the two types
of informative speeches. You will want to walk students through tools they can use to aid
audience memory and understanding and provide students with strategies used in preparing an
informative speech.
Chapter Outline
I. An informative speech promotes understanding of an idea, person, thing, concept,
event, complicated term, process, or place; conveys a body of related facts; or
demonstrates how to do or make something. Effective informative speeches do the
following:
A. Present information in a truthful, fair, and objective manner.
B. Avoid exaggerated, embellished, or distorted facts.
C. Design visual aids to represent facts and relationships without distortion.
D. Express ideas and concepts in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.
E. Use tact, allowing the audience to retain feelings of self-worth.
II. Informative speeches can be divided into two broad categories: demonstration speeches
and informational speeches.
A. Demonstration speeches show how to do something or how to make something.
Some pointers for demonstration speeches are:
l. If your objects are not large enough to be seen by the entire audience,
show pictures of the objects on computer visuals or posters.
2. Practice the demonstration until you can perform it smoothly.
3. Firsthand demonstrations can take extra time.
4. In demonstration speeches, make sure to use visual aids, effective
supporting materials, and clear organization and format.
B. Informational speeches create awareness of a subject, promote understanding,
or convey a body of related acts.
1. The focus of informational speeches is on content and ideas (i.e.,
knowledge), not on how to make or do something.
2. The topics appropriate for informational speeches differ from those best
suited to demonstration speeches.
C. Speakers can use four main tools in informational speaking to aid
understanding.
1. Definitions can aid in the audience understanding what something is in
definite, clear words.
2. Description paints vivid and detailed pictures of the topic.
3. Explanations can show relationships between certain items and often
answers the questions of how, why, and what.
4. Narration should be easy to follow (probability) and ring true to the
audience (fidelity).
D. The “stickiness factor” is the part of a message that makes an impact.
III. Use the following steps to prepare an informative speech.
A. Analyze your potential audience.
1. Make sure to take situational characteristics of your audience into
account.
2. Make sure to take demographic characteristics of audience members into
H. Plan the introduction and conclusion.
I. Polish by thinking critically about your speech.
J. Plan your speaking notes.
K. Practice your speech physically.
1. Practice in front of friends or family.
2. If you have notes, make sure you are still maintaining good eye
contact with your audience.
L. Rehearse with your technology.
1. Test your presentation.
2. There are ways you can set up your slides so you can see two
screens.
3. Check the lighting in the location.
4. Use a remote if possible.
5. Learn ways to easily move back and forth between slides.
6. Print a paper copy of your slides.
7. Have a backup form of your slides.
Classroom Exercises
Online Activity
After completion of this chapter, students should be thoroughly prepared for their first major
presentation. Have them submit the topic they’d like to speak on, a rough draft of their sources, a
full sentence outline (including introduction, conclusion, transitions, and a bibliography), and
have them either attended a seminar on preparing a PowerPoint presentation or have them do an
online PowerPoint tutorial. You may want to have them send you their PowerPoint presentation
so that you can assist with changes that might need to be made.
Active Critical Thinking Activity
To think further about the two types of informative speeches, ask students to complete the
following:
1. What are two main differences or characteristics between demonstration and
informational speeches?
2. List two good possible speech topics for each type of informative speech.
To think further about tools to aid understanding and memory, ask students to complete the
following:
Gladwell says it takes hearing a commercial six times before we remember it (2002, p.
92). How can you apply this information to your speech? Think of at least two possible
ways.
9.1 Distinguishing Informative from Persuasive Speeches
Objective: One of the more common difficulties students experience is how to distinguish
informative from persuasive speeches. Often you will find that students assigned to prepare an
informative presentation will become advocates, transforming an informative speech into a
Dividends: These exercises, when performed seriously, can help students in several ways:
1. They will develop creativity in logically classifying concepts, enabling them to
approach speech topics in unaccustomed and productive ways.
2. Students will recognize that there are many ways to understand and talk about a
particular object, so they may become more attuned to speaking about familiar
topics from novel perspectives. For persuasive speeches, awareness of multiple
perspectives can also help in anticipating other viewpoints and counter-
arguments.
3. Students will observe that inventiveness often does not come at once, so they
should plan ahead to allow time to think about topic choices and approaches well
in advance, then set them aside and return to them as often as necessary.
A. Whatchamacalit. Ask each student to bring to class an unusual object that the audience
should have a difficult time identifying. For each of the objects that you designate, see
9.3 Possible Speech Topics
9.4 Brainstorm Speech Topics
To be effective with this activity, it is helpful if you are up-to-date with current events and
local news. Ask students to think for a moment about informative speech topics that interest
them and that may be of value to the audience. I typically give some examples, such as
informing students about the new rules about guns on campus or discussing the proposal in the
local community to lengthen the school year. I remind them that when brainstorming, no idea
is off limits. It is important for them to mention any topic that comes to mind, especially
because something they mention could spark an idea for someone else.
After giving students a few minutes to think, I start asking for topic ideas, which I begin
writing on a whiteboard. Ask for clarification if you aren’t sure what a student means by a
topic proposed. I also ask questions to spark topic ideas for students, such as: What local issues
affect you? What campus issues affect you? What topic in the media interests you right now?
9.5 Impromptu Information Speeches
Another way to help students prepare for their informational speeches is to have them do some
impromptu informational speeches. You can either come up with a list of possible topics, cut