Mastering Informative Speaking: Engaging and Informative Presentations

1. Chapter 15 Informative Speaking

2. The Goals of Informative Speaking • Meeting the audience’s informational needs • Gauge what they know • Decide on an appropriate approach • Make it relevant to them

3. The Goals of Informative Speaking • Informing, not persuading Keep the speech objective • Speaking appropriately and ethically • Relevant and reliable • Honest and truthful • Avoid plagiarism

4. Topics for Informative Presentations • People • Places • Objects and phenomena • Events • Processes • Concepts • Issues • Plans and policies

5. Approaches to Conveying Information • Description • Paint mental pictures for listeners • Demonstration • “How to” topics • Combine physical demonstration with explanatory narration

6. Approaches to Conveying Information • Definition (provide answers to “what” questions) • Operational definition • Definition by negation • Definition by example • Definition by synonym • Definition by etymology

7. Approaches to Conveying Information • Explanation (answer “why?” or “what does that mean?” questions) • Clarifying concepts • Big picture • Challenging intuition

8. Guidelines for Informative Speeches • Create information hunger • Arouse curiosity • Work your topic

9. Guidelines for Informative Speeches • Make it easy • Clear organization and structure • Emphasize important points • Don’t overwhelm the audience • Build on prior knowledge • Define your terms • Use appropriate supporting material • Use appropriate presentation aids