380 INFORMATIVE SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Edible Insects
1 As the days of summer descend upon us, we await lazy days, beach parties, deep suntans,
and, of course, insects. We may look forward to seeing grasshoppers jump through meadows and
admiring backyard butterflies fluttering through flowers, yet we dread being stung by those yel-
4 To begin, we must realize that while the idea of eating insects may be a new one, we un-
consciously consume them with our everyday foods. Ronald Taylor’s Butterflies in My Stomach
informs us that lettuce, bread, corn, peanut butter, tomato sauces, and fruit juices contain insects
or insect fragments. However, these small defects or, if you will, bugs in the food system should
probably not be considered as dangerous as chicken salmonella or other food poisoning. As en-
insects consumed regularly among rich and poor alike in that country. These and at least 60 other
countries use insects in their diets.
6 The insects’ taste and nutritional value make them an excellent food source. Their nutri-
tional value is supported by figures from the consumer and food economic research division. As
you can see on this chart, if we take 100 grams or a quarter pound or a hamburger size portion of
EDIBLE INSECTS 381
8 However, this idea of using insects for their nutritional value is only that—an idea—unless
a market is created. Dr. DeFoliart, who in the next few years plans to introduce edible insects to
the American market, realizes the stomach-turning nature of such topics. Indeed, while individuals
who sampled edible insects accepted their taste, the fact that they looked like insects was the major
complaint.
9 Therefore, to his team of twenty–five scientific advisors, DeFoliart has added food engi-
neers who can pellet and flake insects into more desirable looking snack foods. Some of his can-
11 In conclusion, I’ll admit that the idea may indeed bother some people. Yet we should bear
in mind that insects are consumed unconsciously with our everyday foods, historically they en-
sured the survival of some of our most distant ancestors, and currently they nourish many people
in various parts of the world.
12 In the future, the possibility of expanding insects as a food source might not receive an
382 INFORMATIVE SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Edible Insects
Commentary
Superbly researched, crisply organized, and engagingly delivered, “Edible Insects” is an exceptional in-
formative speech. Here is a synopsis.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the history, current use, nutritional value, and future of
insects as a human food source.
Central Idea: Edible insects have long been consumed by people in various parts of the world, are
high in nutritional value, and may one day find their way onto our own dinner plates.
Method of Organization: Topical
Introduction: Running through paragraph 3, the introduction begins in a fairly leisurely fashion as the
speaker arouses curiosity about his topic by discussing the upcoming days of summer. After re-
vealing his topic at the end of paragraph 1, he uses paragraph 2 to calm the queasiness some
Body: “Edible Insects” contains four main points. The first, developed in paragraph 4, explains that we
unconsciously consume insects with our everyday foods—especially in items such as lettuce,
bread, corn, peanut butter, tomato sauces, and fruit juices. Recognizing that this might be dis-
turbing to some listeners, the speaker notes that the presence of insects in our food is far less
problematic than such things as chicken salmonella and food poisoning. The quotation at the
end of the paragraph provides a bit of wry humor and is consistent with the light touch the
speaker employs throughout the speech.
In paragraph 5 the speaker turns to his second main point, in which he shows that humans
have long used insects as a food source. The series of brief examples at the end of the para-
EDIBLE INSECTS 383
ble insects. In addition to taking Dr. DeFoliart’s course on “Insects as Food,” the speaker inter-
viewed him outside of class. Indeed, this speech provides a fine example of how students can
use information gained from classes and interviews in their speeches—as long as they augment
that information with additional research.