Chapter 7: Informative Speaking

What is Informative Speaking?

Informing about people, events, processes, places, or things without persuasion

What is the difference between information and facts?

Information: is defined as the imparting of knowledge in general, the communication of instructive knowledge, information only takes shape when it is transmitted in some way

Fact: A known or documented occurrence

Why do facts not speak for themselves?

Facts are the components and building blocks of knowledge, but information is what is conveyed to audience. The job of an informative speaker is to contextualize facts and translate them into practical examples.

Techniques for enhancing clarity of message

1. Use simple, short and direct language
2. Translate complex ideas
3. Be aware of scientism

Strategies for Defining

Make sure to define in proper context

Describing

Don't generalize, find happy medium, not too much description

Explaining

Supplementing, ex. Talking about an event your audience wasn't alive for.. You would have to explain the lead up to the event, how people reacted etc. Rather than just diving inn

General Purpose

to inform, providing audience with new and relevant information

Specific Purpose

the type of information you wish to convey to your audience and how you plan on accomplishing this goal

ex. Describing the physical properties of trees

Echo Chamber

Spaces both physical and digital where you surround yourself with opinions and beliefs that you already hold

Information vs. facts

Facts are the primary elements that comprise knowledge, while information can be thought of as facts in motion

Scientism

a mode of thought or perspective that considers things from a scientific viewpoint, leads to overreliance on facts and statistics

Pretentious Technicality

the tendency of making visual aids overly technical and not adapted for nonexpert audiences

Definition

the process of giving meaning to a word or idea, helps with foundation of speech, can be used to foster positive emotions or provide clarity

Definition strategies: logical, operational, authority, negation, by example

Description

Help characterize a person, object, or idea, paints a picture, but must be used with purpose

Explanation

A statement or account that makes a process or complex concept clearer