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CHAPTER 12
INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter presents the focus on the characteristics of good information speaking and
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction (p. 213): An informative speech is a speech whose goal is to explain or
describe facts, truths, and principles in a way that stimulates interest, facilitates
understanding, and increases the likelihood of remembering.
I. Characteristics of effective informative speaking (p. 213).
A. Intellectually stimulating: the perception that information that is new to
audience members and is explained in a way that piques their curiosity and
interest.
1.
If your audience is unfamiliar with your topic, consider how to tap their
natural curiosity.
particular point may be important to listeners.
C. Creative: the perception that your information will yield innovative ideas
and insights.
1.
Creative information speeches begin with good research.
2.
Creativity takes time.
3.
Use productive thinking, working to think about something from a
D. Memorable: effective informative speeches emphasize the specific goal,
main points, and key facts in ways that help audience members remember
them.
audience about your topic.
A. Description: method used to create an accurate, vivid, verbal picture of an
object, geographic feature, setting, person, event, or image. To describe
something effectively:
1.
You can describe size subjectively as large or small and objectively by
noting the specific numerical measures.
4.
A safe way to describe color is to couple a basic color with a common
familiar object.
5.
You can describe composition of something by indicating what it is
made of or by describing what it looks like.
B. Definition: a method of informing that explains the meaning of something.
1.
You can define a word or idea by classifying it and differentiating it
from similar ideas.
C. Compare and contrast is a method of informing that focuses on how
something is similar to and different from other things.
D. Narration is a method of informing that explains something by recounting
events.
1.
Narratives generally have four parts:
2.
Narratives can be presented in a first-, second-, or third-person voice.
E. Demonstration is a method of informing that shows how something is
done, displays the stages of a process, or depicts how something works.
1.
In a demonstration, your expertise is critical.
2.
Organize the steps from first to last to help the audience remember the
III. Informative speech types (p. 220).
A. Informative process speeches: the goal of a process speech is to explain
and show how something is done, made, or works.
1.
Most process speeches rely heavily on the demonstration method of
B. Expository speeches: an informative presentation that provides carefully
researched in-depth knowledge about a complex topic.
1.
All expository speeches require that the speaker draw from an
2.
Expository speeches include the following:
a. Political, economic, social, religious, or ethical Issues: help your
audience understand the context of an issue, including the forces
LECTURE IDEAS
1.
Brainstorm with students ideas for each of the principles of informative speaking:
intellectually stimulating, relevant, creative, and memorable. Talk about which ideas
2.
Help your students develop a list of “experts” who could be interviewed in your
community for some of the speech topics that are generated in the previous
1.
Provide students with a list of simple descriptions. Ask them to make improvements
by rewriting the descriptions using vivid, specific language. Ask students to share
2.
Ask students if they have ever trained anyone at work. Do they consider that a how-
to speech? Is it a process or demonstration speech? Ask for examples from students
of their own experiences? Ask them which type works best to train someone?
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Activity 12.1: Make It Interesting
This activity is designed to help students adapt everyday topics to their audience, using
the characteristics of informative speeches. Divide students into groups and assign
each a topic (see the following). Using the characteristics of informative speaking—
Activity 12.2: Applying the Methods of Informing
Divide students into groups, assigning each a different method of informing—
description, definition, compare and contrast, narrative, and demonstration. Each group
will then create a speech plan from the same topic. For example: If the topic is “love,”
Activity 12.3: Impromptu Speeches
On one set of note cards, write out a list of possible speech topics. On another set, write
out the different types of informative speeches (will need multiple cards for each,
Activity 12.4: How to Be Creative?
Creativity is nurtured, not innate. The following are tools and suggestions for developing
creativity.
2.
Use analogy to fill in an incomplete thought. For example, ask students “Getting a
driver’s license is like …” or “Going away to college is like. …”
Activity 12.5: Making Mental Pictures
Refer to Activity 10.4 in Chapter 10 on vivid language. Using this activity, engage
students in a discussion on making mental pictures in the minds of their audience
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
antonym: a word that is directly opposite in meaning
description: a method of informing that creates a verbal picture of an object,
geographic feature, setting, or image
expository speech: an informative presentation that provides carefully researched in-
depth knowledge about a complex topic
informative speech: a speech whose goal is to explain or describe facts, truths, and
principles in a way that stimulates interest, facilitates understanding, and increases the
likelihood of remembering
TEST QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 12
Multiple Choice
1.
Which of the following are informative speeches designed to do?
a.
explain or describe facts, truths, and principles
b.
educate audiences
c.
answer questions about a topic
d.
all of these
2.
What are ways to identify new insights about a topic?
a.
consider the depth and breadth
b.
consider the motivation
c.
consider the relevance
d.
consider the creative genius of the speaker
3.
All of the following are characteristics of effective informative speaking EXCEPT
.
a.
intellectual stimulation
b.
creativity
c.
motivation
d.
relevance
4.
If a speaker presents either entirely new information, or familiar information in a new
way that piques curiosity and excites interest, then he/she is utilizing .
a.
intellectual stimulation
b.
creativity
c.
motivation
d.
relevance
5.
All of the following are methods of defining a word EXCEPT:
a.
explaining its derivation or history
b.
explaining its use or function
c.
explaining or using a familiar synonym or antonym
d.
explaining how to use the word in a sentence
6.
When a speaker contemplates something from a variety of perspectives and selects
the ones best suited to the audience, it is known as .
a.
brainstorming
b.
norming
c.
critical thinking
d.
productive thinking
7.
Which of these is true about creativity as it relates to the speech making process?
a.
creativity begins with good research
b.
creativity takes time
c.
creativity occurs when you think about things from a variety of perspectives.
d.
all of these
8.
One of the best ways to become a productive thinker is to _.
a.
rethink a topic, issue, or problem from many perspectives
b.
make your thoughts visible by sketching drawings, diagrams, and graphs
c.
set regular goals to actually produce something
d.
all of the these
9.
All of the following are ways to address the diversity of learning styles EXCEPT:
a.
providing concrete vivid images, examples, stories, and testimonials
b.
using visual aids and appropriate facial expressions and gestures
c.
address the thinking dimension through clear macrostructure as well as
definitions, explanations, and statistics
d.
do not allow the audience an opportunity to do something during or after your
speech
10.
A method of informing that creates a verbal picture of an object, geographic
features, setting, or image is called a(n):
a.
description
b.
definition
c.
narration
d.
compare and contrast
11.
The method of informing that focuses on how something is similar to and different
from other things is called:
a.
description
b.
definition
c.
compare and contrast
d.
narration
12.
The following are characteristics of a good narrative EXCEPT:
a.
a strong story line
b.
use of slang
c.
use of descriptive language
d.
explaining how a complication or problem was solved
13.
In Sarah’s speech about environmental movements, she holds up a plastic bottle
and a lightbulb and states, “recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough
energy to light a 60-watt lightbulb for six hours.” She is engaging in the
method of informing.
a.
description
b.
definition
c.
comparison and contrast
d.
narration
14.
A type of informative speech which employs an informative presentation that
teaches how something is done, is made, or works is called a(n):
a.
expository speech
b.
demonstration speech
c.
process speech
d.
descriptive speech
15.
A type of informative speech which employs an informative presentation that
provides carefully researched in-depth knowledge about a complex topic is called
a(n):
a.
expository speech
b.
demonstration speech
c.
process speech
d.
descriptive speech
16.
If a speaker cannot physically perform the steps of a demonstration, he/she could
.
a.
distribute a handout explaining the steps
b.
describe the steps using vivid language
c.
choose a different speech topic
d.
use visual aids to show the steps
17.
A speech topic which focuses on more details than people’s general knowledge is
utilizing:
a.
creativity
b.
information
c.
breadth
d.
depth
18.
A speech about the heroic achievements of certain military personnel during World
War II is called a(n):
a.
expositional speech
b.
narrative speech
c.
historical speech
d.
commemorative speech
19.
If Katrina were delivering an expository speech about strip mining, she would be
presenting .
a.
an exposition of historical events and forces
b.
an exposition of a theory, principle, or law
c.
an exposition of a creative work
d.
an exposition of political, economic, social, religious, or ethical issues
20.A
A speech on the largest painting that was created by over 3,000 students is an
example of .
a.
an exposition of historical events and forces
b.
an exposition of a theory, principle, or law
c.
an exposition of a creative work
d.
an exposition of political, economic, social, religious, or ethical issues
True-False
21.
T F Effective informative speeches share information that is both new and
relevant.
22.
T F A process speech does not require an adaptation plan and a complete outline
23.
T F Verbal descriptions can also create informative mental pictures.
ANS: T SEE PAGE 216
24.
T F Audience members will recognize how the new information you are
sharing is relevant to them.
25.
T F Rarely do creative ideas come when we are in a time crunch.
26.
T F If the process to be demonstrated is longer than the available time, the
speaker should not waste that time on the demonstration.
27.
T F Process thinking occurs when we contemplate something from a variety of
perspectives.
28.
T F Narration method of informing should only be presented in the first
person voice.
29.
T F When delivering an exposition of historical events and forces, a
speaker has a special obligation to seek out narratives that can enliven
the speech, because some people consider history boring.
30.
T F In a demonstration, organize the steps from first to last to help your audience
remember the sequence accurately.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Creativity at work. (2016). http://www.creativityatwork.com/index.htm.
Jaiswal, R. (2016, May 14). Informative speech topics and ideas: The ultimate
guide. Public Speaking Resources.
https://publicspeakingresources.com/informative- speech-topics/.
Levin, L. A., & Behrens, S. J. (2003). From swoosh to swoon: Linguistic
